Alumni, students, the public and community leaders will celebrate the grand opening of the sixth University of Phoenix location in Utah on Thursday, Sept. 29. The new South Jordan learning center will serve a growing population in the southwest part of the Salt Lake Valley.

Representatives from the University’s education partners, the Utah Jazz, Junior Achievement and Boys & Girls Clubs of South Valley, will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception. The event will take place from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29. A free Resume Workshop will follow from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., conducted by University faculty members. Both are free and open to the public.

The University opened its first Utah location 27 years ago. Darris Howe, one of the first faculty members and currently vice president/director of the Utah campus, “The University locates classrooms in the communities where our students live and work,” he said. “A majority of students are looking for a more personalized education experience. Many must work full-time and raise families while attending school in the evenings.”

The South Jordan learning center will also be a short commute for the high population-growth cities of Alpine and Highland in Utah County.

The South Jordan location is a 28,100 square foot space and has 10 large classrooms in which all desks are wired for student laptops. Each room has high-quality presentation and audio equipment and enhanced Internet capabilities. Students who meet regularly in special learning teams can access private rooms equipped with computers and 42-inch television monitors where they can practice presentations and collaborate on projects.

A Student Resource Center and lounge features 20 computers and a mini-kitchen where students can warm up evening snacks and meals. This space is also available to students who take online courses –they can meet other students, engage in career networking and access University resources and technology. An Academic Skills Center will host ongoing courses in math and writing as well as in-person faculty coaching. Large HDTV screens line the hallways, announcing events, seminars, new degree offerings and classroom locations.

The new South Jordan location will offer 111 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree programs in Arts and Sciences, Business and Management, Criminal Justice and Security, Education, Human Services, Nursing and Health Care, Psychology and Technology.

University of Phoenix has six locations in Murray, Taylorsville, Pleasant Grove, North Davis, St. George, and most recently, South Jordan.