"Having it All" Imperfectly: Embrace imperfection on the path to success!

Dr. Diana Reese is a passionate educator and chemistry enthusiast whose academic journey has taken her from the cold winters of central Utah to the sunny landscapes of St. George. With a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry from the University of Utah, she found her true calling teaching chemistry here at Utah Tech University. Dr. Reese’s heart lies in academia with a fervent commitment to students’ success. She loves to help her students learn and thrive. Chemistry captivates her for its perfect balance of chemistry, math, physics, abstract thinking, and even art, making her exploration of the "whys" behind everyday phenomena deeply rewarding. In addition to teaching, Dr. Reese works with students on computational chemistry projects. She has a specific interest in molecular dynamics simulations. She is also passionate about helping kids get excited about and be able to experience science. She volunteers to host monthly hands-on activities at the St. George public library for children 7-12 years old. She loves to see the “lightbulb” moments that occur when science is connected to everyday experiences. In her spare time, Dr. Reese enjoys reading, playing the piano, and engaging in outdoor adventures with her husband and their two young sons.

Principal Williams is an esteemed educator with an impressive 23-year career within the Washington County School District. She grew up in St. George and is currently serving as the Principal at Lava Ridge Intermediate School in beautiful Santa Clara where she brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role. Her extensive experience includes Vice Principal and Athletic Director at Water Canyon High School, where she made significant contributions to both academic and athletic development. She worked for more than 20 years at Dixie High School, where she was a Business & Marketing Instructor teaching a diverse range of subjects and where she also took on numerous extra-curricular assignments and roles, including Learning Coach, DECA Club Advisor, Sterling Scholar Advisor, Tennis Coach, and many more. Armed with a solid educational background, she recently earned her Doctor of Education degree from Baylor University, underscoring her unwavering commitment to students' success. Principal Williams's favorite quote, "Knowledge is power" by Francis Bacon, highlights her belief in the transformative power of education in the life of students. Principal Williams has three sons who all attended this campus. One son graduated from Dixie State and the other two sons are currently enrolled at Utah Tech. She and her husband will be celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary this spring.

Stefanie is one of the winners of the 2022 Women in Wide Format Awards, which acknowledges women leaders who have propelled the wide-format digital print industry forward through their innovative approaches, visionary leadership, and dedication to philanthropic endeavors. A Salt Lake City native, she is the owner and CEO of Design to Printsince 1995, a multi-divisional experiential and print manufacturing company operating across three states. She oversees a workforce of over 100 employees and handles a variety of projects, ranging from nationwide graphic rollouts for Fortune 100 companies to collaborative projects with software engineers aimed at advancing visualization software for enhanced production processes. Prior to her dynamic career in the print industry, she specialized in Neonatal Intensive Care as a nurse. Stefanie's academic background in nursing has uniquely equipped her to tackle challenges systematically, a skill that has undoubtedly contributed to her success in navigating the digital print world and beyond. She brings unique and nurturing qualities to a trade that is usually considered rough and tough. Stefanie feels that raising three children of her own (four if you count her husband) was the best training and education for her role as CEO. Over the years, she developed exceptional listening skills, patience, communication, and leadership expertise, as well as understanding the value of a good snack (she still brings treats to share with her employees).