WHAT? COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS FOR Black, African, and African American Students in Utah
Expect The Great is a free event focusing on college and career awareness and readiness for African, African-American, and Black students and communities in the state of Utah. The theme of this initiative is “Build, Invest, Connect. Empower.”
WHO? FRANCE A. DAVIS
Expect The Great began with the leadership of Utah System of Higher Education Board of Regents Vice Chair France A. Davis, who sought an outreach event aimed at increasing college access, participation, retention, and graduation for the state’s African, African-American, and Black students and communities.
Regent Davis was appointed to the Board of Regents in 2008; he has served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City since 1974.
WHEN? FALL
Expect The Great has been facilitated each school year since 2011. The college retreat for Black Student Union/Black Student Association officers and participants from across the state of Utah was added in 2013.
This year’s Expect The Great Event will take place IN PERSON at Southern Utah University Friday-Saturday, October 27-28, 2022.
WHERE? HOST INSTITUTIONS
2023: IN PERSON, hosted by Southern Utah University (October 27-28)
2022: VIRTUAL, hosted by Snow College (Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26)
2021: VIRTUAL, hosted by Weber State University (March 26 and 27)
2019: Utah Valley University (October 4 and 5)
2018: Salt Lake Community College (October 5 and 6)
2017: Westminster College (Saturday, October 28)
2016: University of Utah (Saturday, November 5)
2015: Weber State University (Saturday, October 10)
2014: Salt Lake Community College (Saturday, November 8)
2013: University of Utah (Saturday, November 16)
2012: Weber State University (Saturday, November 3)
2011: Salt Lake Community College (Saturday, October 15)
WHY? ACADEMIC AND CAREER VIABILITY
Expect The Great originally began as one effort to contribute to Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s goal under his Education Excellence Commission for at least 66 percent of Utah’s adults between the ages of 20 and 64 to hold a postsecondary degree or certificate by the year 2020. The success and popularity of the event has carried it beyond 2020.