Utah
Why leadership matters at the U
Why leadership matters at the U
An appreciation of Dr. Mary Ann Villarreal, vice president for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
The first time we met, Dr. Mary Ann Villarreal immediately won me over with her disarming manner.
“It looks like I found a new physician for my grandmother,” she said and smiled. In her interview, she proved she was a brilliant strategist, dissecting the intricacies of the policy culture in higher ed and the state’s political landscape. But her charisma and approachability instantly drew me to her when we first met. Plus, I was honored to care for her grandmother, and the world has been a poorer place since she passed away.
Mary Ann joined our institution in 2019, at a time of great optimism, and she immediately proved herself an exceptional leader, someone anyone would want to work with. Her vision of joining the two branches, University of Utah Health and the main campus into one U, has reshaped the entire institution. She has revitalized a sense of collaboration, and though we’d always worked closely with the equity and diversity leaders on the main campus, the idea of being part of the same unit had never been explored before Mary Ann’s arrival. Her vision of One U Thriving set the course for what has become a great example of what can be accomplished together.
Dr. Villarreal brings that vision into reality—and incorporating the work of the University of Utah Health’s Health Equity and Inclusion office into the Division for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) brought my office directly into Dr. Villarreal’s orbit. Her advocacy and leadership also prompted the end of my time as interim associate vice president, along with the name change of our office to University of Utah Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (UHEDI). This name change was just the beginning of the alignment between UHEDI and EDI.
As the VP for EDI, Villarreal brings structure and science to the division, evaluating all EDI programs and creating accountability across the division while highlighting the good work being done. The added infrastructure of the EDI division allows the UHEDI office to focus on program evaluation and research. In addition, her leadership ensures that EDI work continues unfettered in health sciences. Today, multiple people are working on EDI, many of whom do not have titles in this space but who still play essential roles. Her vision of ensuring that the work of EDI is everyone’s work has been invaluable.
To date, there are six manuscripts highlighting the extraordinary programs in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion, on both health sciences and main campus.1-7 Dr. Villarreal is also involved in stimulating national conversations around the terminology common to diversity work.8 And she brings many other great attributes to our university—like the New Leadership Academy, an equity-centered leadership program, that trains university presidents and continues to draw scholars from across the United States to the U. Mary Ann brought the NLA to Utah from the University of Michigan, and her team is implementing Shared Equity Leadership in all its work to ensure we’re working consistently to increase opportunity, equity, and belonging for all our students.
Working with VP Villarreal also allows us to create more science. Her pioneering work with the Center for Equity and Student Belonging (CESB), the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC), and the Black Cultural Center (BCC) have established their role as centers for belonging, which improves academic outcomes for students.9 And she has helped to bring in millions of dollars in support for the entire campus—from large private foundations and federal entities—benefiting all our students, staff, and faculty.
VP Villarreal is brilliant in her role, supporting students, faculty, and staff to express themselves freely while continuing to support the university’s mission as a top-tier public institution with “unsurpassed societal impact.” More than anyone else I know, Mary Ann embodies these principles with grace and aplomb, expanding support for the entire campus—even when she has to do so against political headwinds and skullduggery.
We are lucky to have such a talented leader at our institution. Her presence and leadership make us better. I personally have learned much from Mary Ann in her short tenure here. So, when you see her, thank her. Her work proves that EDI serves all identities at the U and helps create a campus community where everyone knows they belong.
- Ryujin D, Spackman J, Honda TJ, et al. Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity at the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program. Fam Med. May 2021;53(5):372-375. doi:10.22454/FamMed.2021.923340
- Bliss C, Wood N, Martineau M, Browning-Hawes K, Lopez A, Rodriguez J. Exceeding Expectations: Students Underrepresented in Medicine at University of Utah Health. Family Medicine. 2020;52(8):5. doi:10.22454/FamMed.2020.137698
- Rodríguez JE, Bliss C, Hawes KB, et al. Introspection to Improve Pipelines and Graduate Programs at University of Utah Health. Fam Med. 09 2021;53(8):730. doi:10.22454/FamMed.2021.377645
- Holsti M, Clark E, Fisher S, et al. Lessons From the First Decade of the Native American Summer Research Internship at the University of Utah. Acad Med. Sep 2020;doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000003759
- Stoesser K, Frame KA, Sanyer O, et al. Increasing URiM Family Medicine Residents at University of Utah Health. PRiMER. 2021;5:42. doi:10.22454/PRiMER.2021.279738
- López AM, Rodríguez JE, Browning Hawes K, et al. Preparing historically underrepresented trainees for biomedical cancer research careers at Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah Health. Med Educ Online. Dec 2021;26(1):1929045. doi:10.1080/10872981.2021.1929045
- Cariello PF, Figueroa E, Harri s CM, et al. Future Doctors from Underrepresented in Medicine Communities at the University of Utah. PRiMER: Peer-reviewed Reports in Medical Education Research 2023;7(25):7.
- Rodríguez JE, Figueroa E, Campbell KM, et al. Towards a common lexicon for equity, diversity, and inclusion work in academic medicine. BMC Medical Education. 2022/10/04 2022;22(1):703. doi:10.1186/s12909-022-03736-6
- Strayhorn TL. College students’ sense of belonging : a key to educational success for all students. Second ed.
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued red flag warning Friday morning as emergency workers continued to battle one of the state’s largest wildfires in its history.
The red flag warning, issued when critical fire warnings are occurring or imminent, was to be in place through midnight Saturday.
“This is the FIRST Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning issued in NWS Salt Lake City history. This is an exceptionally rare event,” the federal agency said in its warning.
A map of the area under the warning covered much of central and southwest Utah, with an area of the southwest, central and southern mountains also outlined as “particularly dangerous red flag.”
The particularly dangerous area includes the Cottonwood Fire, near the town of Beaver, which started Monday and had grown to covering almost nearly 71,000 acres by Thursday, 15 News reported. The fire forced evacuations.
The NWS warned that gusty winds and dry conditions would lead to rapid fire growth.
Utah also was dealing with the Iron Fire, which started June 19, and nearly destroyed the town of Eureka. The fire was about 27% contained Friday morning.
The fire danger led Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to issue executive order restricting fireworks statewide during the July 4 holiday, which marks the nation’s 250th birthday this year. The ban is in effect through July 5.
“Nothing about this decision was easy,” Cox said in a statement issued by his office Thursday.
“This is unlike anything we’ve seen in recent memory. We’re seeing fires spread farther and faster under conditions that defy historical expectations” Jamie Barnes, Utah state forester and director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, added in the statement.
Cox allowed cities and local communities to set aside areas where fireworks could be safely used. The city of Provo announced it would enforce a citywide prohibition on fireworks and would not designate a safe area for fireworks.
“This year is different,” Provo Mayor Marsha Judkins said in a statement. “The wildfire danger facing our community is real, and protecting lives, homes, and our natural spaces must come first.”
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Earlier this month, 2News Investigates brought you a former inmate’s federal lawsuit alleging Utah Department of Corrections leaders failed to address reports of alleged sexual assault by correctional officers. Now, 2News Investigates examines another key claim in that lawsuit.
MORE: Federal lawsuit alleges Utah prison leaders covered up guards’ sexual assaults on inmates
The lawsuit alleges a mass cross-gender strip-search operation – women being viewed by men was intended to further silence female inmates.
Federal law generally prohibits cross-gender strip searches of female inmates except during emergencies or when conducted by medical personnel. UDC says that during body-search procedures, male correctional officers are not allowed in the immediate area and inmate privacy is maintained. Former inmates say that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Three former inmates agreed to speak with 2News Investigates but asked that their identities not be revealed.
“It was very traumatic.”
According to the lawsuit, on May 13, 2025, UDC carried out a large-scale operation known as a “reset” in women’s housing units at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake City.
Wendy: “They call it a reset. What do you call it?”
“A violation.”
“It’s like a rape.”
The lawsuit alleges UDC Deputy Warden Derick Zorn and Warden Sharon D’Amico directed the operation, along with more than a dozen members of the Critical Incident Response Team, or CIRT.
According to the plaintiffs, officers stormed dormitories, shouted profanities, and issued conflicting commands.
The women say and the lawsuit states they were ordered to pack their belongings into totes and change into state-issued uniforms in front of male CIRT officers. They were then marched to the Emerald Building for processing.
“It felt almost like we were at a concentration camp.”
The lawsuit alleges the women were required to undergo body scans and then strip completely naked. Plaintiffs claim they were ordered to lift their breasts, spread their buttocks, and cough while visible to male staff.
Women who were menstruating allegedly were instructed to remove menstrual products in full view of others.
“Just use one hand to remove it. Hold it up in front of you.”
“I felt really small and worthless.”
The lawsuit alleges some women were forced to hold soiled menstrual pads while performing physical maneuvers.
“I just did what I was told. I just wanted to get it over with.”
The plaintiffs also claim they were required to sit on toilets or squat to provide urine samples while completely naked and visible to male officers.
“It was humiliating. It was degrading.”
The lawsuit further alleges cell doors were left open, exposing naked women to other inmates and male staff.
An overhead observation booth with reflective glass overlooked the strip-search area. Plaintiffs say they observed movement inside and believed they were being watched from above.
The lawsuit alleges the female inmates were being watched from above during a mass strip search on May 13, 2025
“I could see in the overhead, the two-way mirror. There were multiple men walking around up there who had direct vision inside those cells.”
The lawsuit alleges Captain Jared Beers and Lieutenant Matthew Coombs were inside the booth and that Deputy Warden Derick Zorn observed women in various states of undress.
“I made eye contact with Officer Arroyo, and I also saw Deputy Zorn.”
“I knew if I could see the male officers, they could see me.”
One former inmate described the experience as state-sanctioned sexual violence.
“When that happens, and you’ve gone through the same kind of thing as a child, it’s very traumatic.”
The lawsuit alleges Warden D’Amico knew male officers were viewing naked female inmates and “ratified, condoned, and failed to stop it.”
An allegation in the lawsuit filed on May 15, 2026
“You’re pretty much a hostage.”
UDC Executive Director Jared Garcia declined repeated requests for an on-camera interview. A letter sent said:
“During the body search process in female living areas, male correctional officers are not allowed in the immediate area, and privacy is maintained. In general, resets are conducted routinely, according to UDC policy and under strict protocols designed to ensure safety while also preserving the privacy and dignity of incarcerated individuals.”
“The manner matters.”
Walter Mason represents the plaintiffs.
He told 2News Investigates, “The law protects inmates from being exposed to members of the opposite sex viewing their naked bodies unless there’s an emergency. Unless there’s what the law calls an exigent circumstance, the prison can take necessary actions to protect safety. There was no emergency. There was no exigency.”
UDC says the reset involved approximately 150 trained staff members and was conducted according to department policy.
UDC’s letter goes on to say:
“Every effort was made to treat belongings with care and document confiscated items appropriately. UDC stands by our methods and policies, which are intended to maintain the highest standards of integrity, safety, and efficiency during the reset process.”
Written response from the Utah Department of Corrections regarding 2News investigations
I asked UDC whether any exigent circumstances existed on May 13, 2025, during the reset operation.
The response:
“No exigent circumstances occurred on May 13, 2025.”
I also requested information about what items were confiscated. UDC said it could not provide a specific list.
Response to questions posed by 2News Investigates to UDC regarding mass strip search and if exigent circumstances existed that day
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and accuses the defendants, all supervisors, of participating in a “coordinated effort to humiliate, mock, and psychologically degrade the plaintiffs … operating with a brazen and intentional disregard for clearly established law, fueled by an institutional custom of impunity.”
_____
Utah
Utah Royals FC Announce the Addition of Assistant Coach Jessie van den Broek to 2026 Coaching Staff | Utah Royals
HERRIMAN, Utah – (Thursday, June 25, 2026) – URFC announced today the addition of assistant coach Jessie van den Broek to the 2026 technical staff.
The Dutchwoman brings experience from several levels of soccer across Europe. Her coaching journey has steadily progressed through commitment to player development, making her a strong addition to the Royals as the club continues to build for the future.
After gaining coaching experience at various levels, van den Broek made the jump to professional soccer in Germany’s Bundesliga, joining as an assistant coach and second in command to head coach Robert de Pauw and helping to support the club in its sixth place finish during the 2023-24 season. After a year and a half in Germany, she followed de Pauw to England, joining the coaching staff of Aston Villa Women, continuing to expand her experience in one of Europe’s top leagues.
In 2025, van den Broek returned to her native country of the Netherlands to join the coaching staff of HERA United, the country’s first stand-alone women’s soccer club. Her work with HERA United further strengthened her coaching abilities and her dedication to the women’s game. Following the conclusion of the club’s season in May 2026, she has now accepted her first position overseas, joining the Utah Royals, bringing the international experience and diverse coaching background with her.
Away from the pitch, van den Broek attended Radbound University in the Netherlands, earning a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. She also earned an A Licence through the Union of European Football Associations in 2025. Her combination of education and coaching credentials, along with her experience in Germany, England and the Netherlands gives Utah Royals FC a coach with high-level experience and a proven commitment to the game of women’s soccer.
The Royals return to NWSL play on July 5 to take on the Chicago Stars at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium with kickoff set for 3:00 p.m. MT. The match is available to watch on CBS Sports Network and KMYU.
-
Minnesota2 minutes agoMinnesota primary voting starts for major 2026 races
-
Mississippi5 minutes agoRetirement savings gap hits seniors. How to avoid outliving your money
-
Missouri10 minutes ago24 Missourians charged in national health care fraud investigation
-
Montana17 minutes agoEXCLUSIVE: 2 ‘Exceptionally Rare’ Ski-In, Ski-Out Montana Mansions Head to Auction in Big Sky—and Could Sell for a Serious Steal
-
Nebraska20 minutes agoToday in History – June 26: University of Nebraska holds first commencement
-
Nevada25 minutes agoNevada’s EV market is booming. Here’s why apartment charging could be the next challenge.
-
New Hampshire32 minutes agoA mom is thankful for Dismas Home – which is expanding recovery services to Rochester
-
New Jersey35 minutes agoNew Jersey Supreme Court requires transparency for facial recognition evidence
