Business Commons^™

A Discrepancy Evaluation Of Workforce Capacity And Emerging Skills: A Utah Case Study, Lendel K. Narine, Paul A. Hill, Andreé Walker-Bravo

Extension Research

This study examined employer-perceived competency discrepancies, anticipated competency requirements, hiring barriers, and valued educational experiences in Utah. Survey data were collected between September and October 2025 from 226 individuals with hiring responsibility in Utah-based organizations. The Ranked Discrepancy Model (RDM) quantified discrepancies between respondents’ ratings of competency importance and their satisfaction with demonstrated employee proficiency. Respondents reported the largest discrepancies for time management, critical thinking, conflict resolution, ethical judgment, and verbal communication of ideas. Respondents rated communication, collaboration, analytical thinking, and lifelong learning highest among competencies anticipated to matter most over the next five to ten years. Most employers identified …

Excelling In An Entry-Level Job, Paul Hill, Osei Vega-Sandoval

All Current Publications

Experience in an entry-level job becomes more valuable over time, especially when performance is exceptional. Managers conduct periodic performance reviews to provide feedback that entry-level employees can use to improve. Performance reviews are an opportunity for employees to learn, share career goals, and seek tailored guidance for their career development. This fact sheet provides insights into the character and qualities an employee should demonstrate to become a high performer, and what organizations can do to retain such employees.

Advancing Beyond An Entry-Level Job, Paul Hill, Osei Vega-Sandoval

All Current Publications

Entry-level positions are a gateway into the workforce, yet advancing beyond an early-career role is necessary to broaden one’s professional experience and earn a higher salary. Whether following the traditional path of moving up within an organization or developing extensive expertise, there are a variety of career paths and concepts to consider. This fact sheet provides strategies and insights for advancing to higher-level positions within organizations.

Obtaining An Entry-Level Job, Paul Hill, Osei Vega-Sandoval

All Current Publications

Entry-level jobs are designed for people with little to no work experience. These jobs do not require previous education or training. Entry-level roles range from labor-intensive jobs (e.g., stocking shelves, preparing food, cleaning equipment) to customer service jobs (e.g., cashier, bank teller, retail associate). Entry-level jobs are the most common gateway into an organization. This fact sheet explains how to find entry-level jobs and outlines the fundamentals to improve one’s prospects of gaining employment.

Economic Efficiency Of End-Guns On Center Pivot Irrigation Systems For Utah Alfalfa Production, Sophia Moss

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This study looks at whether using an end-gun on a center pivot irrigation system is financially worthwhile for Utah alfalfa producers. End-guns are used to water extra acreage beyond the end of a pivot, they can also apply water less evenly, which may reduce production on those outer acres. To examine this tradeoff, the study compares farm returns with and without an end-gun using historical Utah alfalfa price and yield data along with estimates of irrigation cost, added acreage, and possible yield loss. The results suggest that end-guns can improve profitability in many cases, mainly because they bring more acres …

The Economics And Viability Of Organic Forage And Grain Production In Utah, Mackenzie Lee

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Utah farmers face significant financial and agronomic challenges when transitioning into organic forage and grain production. The state’s high-desert climate, alkaline soils, and limited irrigation water make organic production more expensive and riskier than in many other regions.

This study evaluates a ten-year rotation built around alfalfa, which acts as a natural nitrogen engine for the system. Because alfalfa fixes large amounts of nitrogen, it reduces fertilizer costs for later crops such as organic corn. However, farmers must first survive the three-year transition period, during which they must follow organic rules but cannot sell their crops at organic prices.

Using …

Childcare: What Utahns Need To Know, Brie Sparks, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Research shows Utah families struggle to find childcare that is accessible, affordable, and high-quality. Costs are high, yet childcare workers earn far below sustainable wages, creating an imbalance that makes it difficult for providers to stay open and for families to find care. As a result, many parents reduce work hours or leave the workforce, even though most households rely on two incomes. Limited childcare and preschool access also means many children miss critical learning opportunities for kindergarten readiness. Childcare is a critical issue Utahns must address to support family stability, strengthen the workforce, and promote positive outcomes for children …

Single Mothers: What Utahns Need To Know, Brie Sparks, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Single mothers represent a significant and growing share of families in Utah and across the United States, yet they face distinct structural, economic, and social challenges that impact both family well-being and broader community outcomes. While single mothers play a critical role as primary caregivers and contributors to the workforce, data show that they are disproportionately affected by poverty, barriers to education, employment instability, and mental health challenges. At the same time, research has found that when systems, policies, and communities effectively support parents raising children alone, outcomes improve for families as well as for the long-term strength of the …

Sexual Harassment: What Utahns Need To Know, Brie Sparks, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination are ongoing challenges that affect individuals, workplaces, and communities across Utah. When individuals experience harassment, unfair treatment, or marginalization due to gender, their sense of safety, confidence, and self-worth are diminished. These experiences disproportionately impact women, particularly in settings where they are underrepresented or face unequal power dynamics. Addressing these issues requires a shared commitment to creating respectful environments that support the well-being and success of all Utahns.

Child Sexual Abuse: What Utahns Need To Know, Brie Sparks, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Child sexual abuse is a serious and often hidden issue affecting children, families, and communities in Utah. It is frequently misunderstood and underreported, leaving many children without the support they need. Misperceptions about who is at risk and how abuse occurs can make prevention more difficult. Addressing child sexual abuse requires greater awareness, education, and a shared commitment to creating safe environments where children are protected and supported. Preventing abuse and reducing its long-term impacts is a critical responsibility for individuals, families, and communities in Utah.

New American Women (Immigrants And Refugees) In Utah, Robyn C. Blackburn, Vanessa Tuttle, Yvette Young, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Year after year, the topic of immigration features centrally in US public policy discussions and debates. This focus is not surprising, given that the US is home to more immigrants than any other country in the world. While policy discussions often focus on immigrants who lack legal authorization to be in the US, most immigrants are legal residents (77.0%).¹ An immigrant is any person who lives in a country that is not their country of usual residence or nationality.² The US immigrant population includes naturalized citizens (i.e., those who entered the US legally and became citizens), lawful permanent …

The Current Status Of Utah Women & Girls: A Research Synopsis: 2026, Susan R. Madsen, Corinne Clarkson

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

In 2025, U.S. News and World Report rated each state using 71 metrics across eight categories. Utah was rated the #1 “Best State Overall” for the third year in a row, ranking first in fiscal responsibility and third in both the economy and infrastructure categories and fourth in education.¹ Utah was also ranked number one for “Economic Outlook” by Rich States, Poor States in 2025, a forward-looking forecast that is based on 15 state policy variables.² WalletHub ranked Utah as the second “Most Charitable State” and the number one state for volunteering and service.³ In addition, ConsumerAffairs …

Seven Top Opportunities For Utah Girls And Women: A 2026 Update, April Townsend, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Decades of scholarship—within Utah and across national and global contexts—demonstrate that expanding opportunities for girls and women begins with understanding where those opportunities already exist and where they can be strengthened. Building this awareness creates the foundation for strategic, high‑impact action. In Utah, the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) plays a central role in this work, producing hundreds of research reports that surface ongoing challenges1 while simultaneously highlighting the conditions, possibilities, and pathways that support girls, women, and families.

Self-Efficacy Through The Use Of Ai-Video Simulations And Video Feedback (Goreact) For Medical Interpreting Training, Ricardo Tienda-Pérez

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In today’s diverse and modern healthcare systems, medical interpreters play a critical role in clinical safety and quality care. However, a pedagogical gap exists between classroom vocabulary mastery and the self-advocacy skills required in real-world clinical settings. This research evaluates the impact of AI-generated video simulations and GoReact’s time-coded feedback on the self-efficacy and self-advocacy of student interpreters enrolled in the Spanish Medical Interpreting Training course (SPAN 4081) at Utah State University’s Logan campus – as part of the Spanish Medical Interpretation & Translation certificate program during the Spring 2026 semester. By utilizing a mixed-methods research design, this study collected …

Projected Land-Use Change In Northern Utah: Its Implication On Above- And Below-Ground Biomass Carbon, Md Khan Shajidul Kabir

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Land can broadly be classified based on human use and natural characteristics into categories such as cropland, pastureland, urban areas, forests, shrubland, and wetlands. Each type of land has a different capacity to store carbon, and forests play a dominant role. In Utah, economic incentives, urban growth, and population increase are driving shifts in these land-use categories. Using data on agricultural revenue, land values, environmental characteristics, and satellite-based carbon information from the past decade, this study examines how land use may change over the next two decades. The findings suggest a substantial expansion of urban areas, accompanied by declines in …

Eleven Major Challenges Utah Girls And Women Face: A 2026 Update, April Townsend, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Decades of research—across Utah, the nation, and the globe—consistently show that reducing the challenges girls and women face begins with clearly identifying the issues.¹ Greater awareness lays the groundwork for meaningful, effective solutions. In Utah, the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) serves as the state’s primary entity for this work, producing hundreds of research reports that illuminate the barriers, challenges, and opportunities shaping the lives of girls, women, and families.

Utah Women And Skilled Trades, April Townsend, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Currently more than 8 million people in the US work in the construction and skilled trades industries, which have historically been referred to as “blue-collar” jobs.¹ The numbers will likely increase as there is a growing demand for skilled labor across the US because of the retirements of experienced tradespeople and the fact that fewer young people are pursuing these fields. Estimates show that by 2030, more than 40.0% of the current skilled trades and construction workforce will retire, leaving these industries with a critical worker shortage.² Projections suggest that in the US by 2030, the skilled trades …

Teaching Children Money Management, Melanie Jewkes, Amanda Christensen, Andrea Schmutz, Vincenza Vicari-Bentley, Kelan Combe, Rochelle Allen, Lauren Olsen, Jenny Weller, Mckenzie Walsh

All Current Publications

Don't fret if, as a parent, you don't feel qualified to teach your children about money. Talking about money and choices made with money (for better or worse) is a great place to start. This publication covers what and how to teach children about money management skills, and gives every-day parents ideas to start the conversation.

Home, Health, Community, & Allyship 2025: Utahns' Awareness, Understanding, And Attitudes, Susan R. Madsen, April Townsend

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

During the fall of 2023, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline for public perceptions related to the awareness, understanding, and attitudes about challenges that Utah women and girls face. In early 2024, we published 20 short research summaries¹ that shared the results of this comprehensive study (see Nos. 9–28). Next, in the fall of 2024, we administered this survey, with slight changes, around the state of Utah for the second time. Six comprehensive research white papers were then published on the results (see Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, and …

Women, Finance, & Education 2025: Utahns' Awareness, Understanding, And Attitudes, Susan R. Madsen, April Townsend

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

During the fall of 2023, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline for public perceptions related to the awareness, understanding, and attitudes about challenges that Utah women and girls face. In early 2024, we published 20 short research summaries¹ that shared the results of this comprehensive study (see Nos. 9–28). Next, in the fall of 2024, we administered this survey, with slight changes, around the state of Utah for the second time. Six comprehensive research white papers were then published on the results (see Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, and …

Farmers Markets As Community Infrastructure: Evidence From A Three-Year Statewide Data Project In Utah, Jaclyn Pace, Roslynn Mccann, Blue Cook, Steven Price, Lorali Smith, Dianna Parkynn, Joshua Cafferty

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah farmers markets play a critical role in food access, small business viability, and community connection, yet limited statewide data document their impact. The Utah Farmers Market Network (UFMN) and Utah State University (USU) Extension conducted a mixed-methods evaluation (2023–2025) and found that farmers markets make valuable contributions to the community.

Student Mentorship Can Build A Growth Mindset For Global Entrepreneurs, April Buys

Research on Capitol Hill

Entrepreneurship programs often teach skills (budgeting, pricing, record-keeping), but many fail because they ignore a deeper barrier: Mindset. For individuals living in poverty, persistent scarcity limits cognitive bandwidth, reduces long-term planning, and reinforces the belief that change is impossible—even when resources become available.

The Status Of Women In Utah Politics: A 2026 Update, Corinne Clarkson, Jamie Faux, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Given the beauty of Utah’s mountains and deserts, its strong economy, thriving arts community, and range of urban and rural living environments, the state has much to offer Utahns. In terms of overall quality of life, WalletHub’s most recent rankings place Utah eighth among the states—second in education and health, and sixth in affordability.¹ The state’s WalletHub ranking peaked at 4th in 2024,² but Utah hovers among the top 10 best states to live.

Women's Safety & Security 2025: Utahn's Awareness, Understanding, And Attitudes, Susan R. Madsen, April Townsend

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

During the fall of 2023, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline for public perceptions related to the awareness, understanding, and attitudes about challenges that Utah women and girls face. In early 2024, we published 20 short research summaries¹ that shared the results of this comprehensive study (see Nos. 9–28). Next, in the fall of 2024, we administered this survey, with slight changes, around the state of Utah for the second time. Six comprehensive research white papers were then published on the results (see Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, and …

Utah Women In The Workplace: Entrepreneurship, Workforce Development, Stem Fields, And Leadership Development, Susan R. Madsen, April Townsend

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

During the fall of 2023, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline for public perceptions related to the awareness, understanding, and attitudes about challenges that Utah women and girls face. In early 2024, we published 20 short research summaries¹ that shared the results of this comprehensive study (see Nos. 9–28). Next, in the fall of 2024, we administered this survey, with slight changes, around the state of Utah for the second time. Six comprehensive research white papers were then published on the results (see Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, and …

Women In The Workplace In 2025: Utahns' Awareness, Understanding, And Attitudes, Susan R. Madsen, April Townsend

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

During the fall of 2023, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline for public perceptions related to the awareness, understanding, and attitudes about challenges that Utah women and girls face. In early 2024, we published 20 short research summaries¹ that shared the results of this comprehensive study (see Nos. 9–28). Next, in the fall of 2024, we administered this survey, with slight changes, around the state of Utah for the second time. Six comprehensive research white papers were then published on the results (see Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, and …

Homelessness Among Utah Women: A 2025 Update, Robyn C. Blackburn, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

In 2025, the total number of Utah residents experiencing homelessness on any given night grew to 4,584,¹ up from 3,131 in 2020² (a 46.4% increase), as reported in our 2022 research snapshot³ on this topic, and an 18.0% increase from 2024.⁴ According to The Office of Homeless Services under the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the number of people who accessed homelessness services in Utah sometime during the year grew 27.2% between 2021 and 2025, from 24,037⁵ to 30,578 individuals.⁶ Homelessness continues to remain a concern for many Utah women and families, and it …

Better Budgeting - Budget Mastermind Booklet, Melanie Jewkes, Amanda Christensen, Andrea Schmutz, Vincenza Vicari-Bentley, Kelan Combe, Rochelle Allen, Lauren Olsen, Mckenzie Walsh, Jenny Weller

All Current Publications

This booklet helps you reflect on your finances and improve budgeting decisions. It helps you explore your values and motivators, set financial goals, learn zero-based budgeting, and brainstorm ways to increase your income and reduce expenses. It also helps you learn principles for tracking expenses and increasing savings.

Utah Women And Mental Health: A 2025 Update, Sadie Wilde, Chloe Bhowmick, Kolene Anderson, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

According to the World Health Organization, “mental health is a state of well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”¹ Based on a 2025 ranking from WalletHub, Utah is the 4th “Happiest” state in the nation, so one might draw the conclusion that Utahns experience good mental health. However, the rankings also reveal that Utah does not perform as well in the “Emotional & Physical Well-Being” category (in 27th place).² Because mental health is an important indicator of overall well-being, this report …

Evolution Of The Usu Extension Farm And Ranch Succession Program, Jacob A. Hadfield, Joshua Dallin, Ryan Larsen, Matthew Garcia

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

The Utah State University (USU) Extension Farm and Ranch Succession Program has been operating for five years, providing critical support to agricultural producers across Utah. Although its impacts were previously documented (Dallin et al., 2021), the program has since been revised and better adapted to meet the needs of producers. This publication highlights USU Extension’s efforts to address the growing need for farm and ranch succession training and examines the program’s ongoing impacts on agricultural communities throughout the state.