Adrienne Griffiths: "I chose the University of Utah’s Sociology program because I was interested in using a structured methodology to build on my background in English, Psychology, and American Studies (i.e., Disability studies). While I initially came in with hopes of working on human-rights related issues on a larger, societal level, I was drawn to Medical Sociology, health disparities, and components of mental health, race/ethnicity, gender, and intimate partner violence/dating violence. My experience has been unique due to the fact that I was assigned an advisor later in my first year, but it has been a wonderful experience learning from such a variety of faculty at the U—with all different strengths, expertise, and advice. I really did grow a lot as a researcher and student. I was able to carve out my own research interests that were shaped based on the elements I learned in the courses I took. Furthermore, I felt really supported by the dissertation committee and connections that I made with my cohort and faculty that I surrounded myself with. I was only able to finish the five-year program in four years based on the support I received from the department and dissertation committee to complete my research using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to research depression during midlife for a variety of outcomes (i.e., relationship satisfaction, intimate partner violence risk, and sexual health. While this has been a really challenging graduate program—even without the added stress that came with the global pandemic— it has been a really rewarding experience where I’ve been able to see exponential personal growth."

Mindy Steadman: "After teaching public health for several years at UVU and BYU, I decided it was time to come back to school for a Ph.D. I chose the Sociology program at the U because of its emphasis on population and health  (an excellent complement to my public health training) and because I wanted to understand better how social factors shape the health of individuals and populations. While here, my study and research have focused on health disparities, particularly among children who co-reside with grandparents (a topic I find personally relevant since I've raised my kids in a multigenerational family). I feel so fortunate to have had wonderful friends and mentors during my time in the program, something that has truly enriched my graduate experience and prepared me for my next steps. I just accepted a position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at UVU and can't wait to bring a sociological perspective to the courses I teach there!"

Natalie Blanton: "I did my undergraduate here and wanted to stick around family and community organizations I had ties to and continue working with Brett Clark! My qualitative dissertation consisted of interviewing 65 individuals in the Salt Lake Valley to determine if environmental concerns (namely global climate change and local air pollution) were factored into their fertility intentions and future. It turns out they are! Immensely so. My chapters explore this idea of what to expect when you are expecting catastrophic climate change and take gender and environmental justice/race/ethnicity lens or analyses. I am excited to keep pulling these environmental and reproductive justice threads and situate my work in the southern United States. I just accepted a tenure-track position at the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga in Sociology (gender emphasis) within their Social, Cultural, and Justice Studies department. I am very grateful for my experience here -- I have loved this department and the opportunities I had."