[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 30, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DENEECE G. HUFTALIN

 Mr. ROMNEY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
exemplary service and leadership of Dr. Deneece G. Huftalin, who will 
soon conclude a decade of service as the eighth president of Salt Lake 
Community College, SLCC.
  Deneece grew up in Millcreek, UT, and studied at the University of 
Utah, where she fell in love with university life and decided to 
dedicate her professional career to advancing higher education. After 
working at several education institutions throughout the country, 
Deneece returned to Utah and joined Salt Lake Community College in 
1992. She has been a fixture at SLCC ever since, holding various roles 
at the college before being inaugurated as its president in 2014. 
Throughout her more than three decades at SLCC, she displayed an 
unwavering devotion to community and State service commitments while 
balancing the demands of a young family.
  During her tenure, the college has experienced significant growth. 
SLCC now boasts the largest and most diverse student body of any 2-year 
college in the State, with 10 campuses throughout Utah. Students come 
from an array of backgrounds to pursue studies in more than 200 degree 
and certificate programs. At SLCC, students succeed in pursuing their 
passions, in large part because of how President Huftalin has created 
innovative educational opportunities.
  A champion of the learner, regardless of background, President 
Huftalin has consistently created education pathways instead of 
barriers. Some of her crowning achievements include expanding 
initiatives that bolster college readiness for high schoolers, 
providing funding for students when Federal aid falls short and making 
online education resources mainstream and accessible. The Open 
Educational Resources initiative alone has saved students more than $21 
million. Another program which President Huftalin was instrumental in 
creating, SLCC's Prison Education Program, made a difference in the 
lives of many. One of the program's graduates spoke about its impact, 
saying: ``For many of us, education served as a lifeline, a way to rise 
above our circumstances and make a difference . . . it became important 
to me to take charge of my life to secure my future and try to 
enlighten those around me.''
  Buoyed by the dedication of remarkable students and the tireless work 
of the entire SLCC faculty and staff, President Huftalin has created a 
ripple effect that will long outlast her tenure. Her family--husband 
Tim and sons Max and Eli--have supported her throughout her journey and 
helped make it all possible. I have no doubt that Deneece will continue 
to serve those around her in meaningful ways. The State of Utah thanks 
her for tireless service to the noble endeavor of education. Thank 
you.

                          ____________________