LIVES FOREVER CHANGED: PERSONAL STORIES OF GRATITUDE 

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Emily Bloch

Alumna

“My experience at the SALT Center has truly changed my life for the better. I came into the start of university not being comfortable with my disability and the academic system. My specialist, Emily Pendleton, took the time and dedication to make me the confident adult I am today.

The staff at the SALT Center always had a positive demeanor and were excited to help any problem that students brought in. My favorite moments at SALT would be talking through difficult questions in the tutoring lab, getting advice or help from my specialist, and just being able to escape the stress of the university environment in the study area.

I came into the University of Arizona recently being diagnosed with hearing loss and being uncomfortable with faculty in the higher educational system. My specialist worked with me to not only improve my grades, but also helped me get my accommodations that I needed and worked on the skills I needed to get into a graduate program. Through mock meetings, writing and math tutoring, and counseling, the SALT Center and my specialist are the reason I was able to graduate from college and reach my dreams of becoming an audiologist.

I am now currently in my residency and final year of my audiology doctorate. The tips and tricks that I learned from SALT are still implemented in my school, work, and everyday life. I believe I would not be where I am in my life without the incredible team at the SALT Center. I am forever grateful to the SALT Center and especially my academic specialist, Emily Pendleton.”

Michaela Hoyman

Student

“My junior year of high school I began looking at colleges. When I learned about the SALT Center at U of A, I knew in my heart I needed the support this engaging program provided. I chose the University of Arizona because of the SALT Center. Going into college was very intimidating, and I knew the SALT Center would help me, but I could have never predicted the depth and extent that it would.

As a student in the SALT Center, I have utilized pretty much all the amazing resources offered. Words cannot adequately express how much I appreciate my amazing Student Support Specialist, Caroline Ragano, the multiple tutoring options, the high-tech study areas, and the health and wellness therapy sessions. Everyone at the SALT Center is extremely welcoming, helpful, and has made the Patricia Bartlett building a comfortable, safe place and a home away from home.

The SALT Center has helped me become the person I am today. I am more organized, I persevere through classes I never thought I would succeed in and most importantly, I can advocate for myself with confidence.

I’ve been enrolled in the SALT Center since my freshman year, and I will soon be graduating! I will be forever grateful for the assistance that the SALT Center has given me these last four years. Thank you, SALT Center. You have changed my life and have helped me succeed today and I know the same will be true for the years to come.”

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[Photographer: Steve Escobar]

Annamarie Tellez

Parent and Director of U of A Parent & Family Programs

“When I began working for the university, one of the first departments I was introduced to was the SALT Center. I have had the opportunity to meet with them individually, collaborate on events with them and share their support services to prospective and current families and students. One of their most admirable qualities is the overwhelming results. Year after year, I hear experiences from students and families illustrating the SALT Center’s impact on their students and the quality of the program and how firmly students and families believe in their support services and team.

It wasn’t until 2023, when my youngest son was applying at the University of Arizona, that I recognized the services from the SALT Center would benefit him academically. I had never been on the other side of SALT, and now we were exploring services, and he was applying to the SALT Center.

The one thing that stood out to me was the application process. Our son was now actively pursuing the SALT Center, and I was suddenly excited to see first-hand the services in action. There were a series of videos and forms we had to complete, and I realized that the SALT Center wanted us to really understand their commitment to serving their students, but that this was a mutual effort. I had always heard the statement “your student will only get out of this what they put into this program” and this was evident in the application process.

I appreciated the ability to stay as connected and involved as my son wanted me to be, and the SALT Center had options for me to learn more throughout the year. When a family asks me for my best advice for an incoming student, the only answer I have is to get involved. The SALT Center provides that immediately with a dedicated space filled with necessary resources to provide student success.

One of the support services that Adam mentioned was his weekly meetings with his advisor. This is a great way to have one on one support, or simply a way to check in and decompress the stresses or questions that bubble up in college. I would hear about these meetings regularly and know it was an outlet outside of home or family to learn more and gain that confidence. I witnessed my son in one year become a confident and outgoing college student who successfully navigated his first year. Not only that, but I now have a deeper understanding of the services offered, making it easier for me to share with prospective families who are interested in learning more about the SALT Center, and I am proud to share our experience.”

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Jason Keatseangsilp

Tutor

“My experience as a SALT Center tutor has been a long and rewarding journey. Through working as a peer tutor with over 100 SALT students, I have learned and improved upon many skills, such as adaptability and patience. These skills have helped me not only in tutoring, but also in my other professional and academic endeavors like being a Team USA wheelchair athlete and an engineering graduate student.

As tutors, we hope to have a positive impact on our students, but sometimes we can take for granted the positive impact the students have on us as well. I am proud to be a SALT Center tutor, and I look forward to serving more SALT students to help them reach their goals.”

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Isaiah Diaz

Student

“Mr. Haywood is responsive, respectful, kind, funny, caring, and passionate. He has helped me since my sophomore year in college. He was a major contributor in keeping me on track during my college journey. Our meetings were always to the point about what I was to focus on for classes. I could tell him anything and everything that was happening in my life. He made me feel like a priority no matter the issue, personal or educational. Success and happiness were his goals for me. I always left his office feeling better and more capable for my college journey.”

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Susan Towne

Parent

“I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible impact the SALT Center has had on my son, Isaiah's, educational journey at the University of Arizona. Isaiah began his freshman year at the UA during the challenging times of COVID. Unfortunately, this remote start proved to be very difficult for him, leading to a rough first year and a placement on Academic Warning due to his low GPA. We were worried about his future at the university.

Thankfully, in his sophomore year, Isaiah enrolled in the SALT Center program. The support and guidance he received there made a world of difference. His academic confidence and performance dramatically improved. Ever since he began receiving services from SALT, Isaiah has consistently earned a semester GPA of at least 3.0!

We are particularly grateful for the mentorship Isaiah received. While he has worked with several wonderful mentors, a special thanks goes out to Derrick Haywood for his dedication and support throughout Isaiah's journey. Thanks to the SALT Center, Isaiah is not only thriving academically but is also much more confident in his abilities. Your program has truly made a difference in his life, and we are incredibly thankful.”

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