Our goal is to make your Trailblazer Connections and entire college experience as great as it can be! The accessibility resources listed on this page are for anyone who might need them, not just students with documented disabilities. We encourage you to take advantage of the resources available to you and to reach out if you have concerns that aren’t addressed here.
Welcome Wednesday: Welcome Wednesday is a large pep-rally style assembly where the entire freshmen class meets in the Burns Arena. There will be large crowds, loud music, and bright, flashing lights. If you have crowd anxiety, migraines, or other photosensitivity, we will have earplugs, sunglasses, and a quiet room available upon request. Language interpreting will also need to be requested in advance. Class Photo: The Class Photo will take place immediately following the Welcome Wednesday assembly and will include the entire freshmen class assembling on the Utah Tech football field for a photo. If you have crowd anxiety, resources are available upon request. Class Sessions: There will be two class sessions on Wednesday. If you have specific accommodations, please reach out to the Disability Resource Center, or if you might need any accessibility resources not listed on this page, please reach out to New Student & Family Programs. Lunch provided. Options for dietary restrictions may be limited; please bring a lunch if you have specific dietary restrictions.
Class Sessions: There will be several class sessions on Thursday. If you have need of specific accommodations, please reach out to the Disability Resource Center, or if you might need any accessibility resources not listed on this page, please reach out to New Student & Family Programs. Lunch provided. Options for dietary restrictions may be limited; please bring a lunch if you have specific dietary restrictions.
Trailblazer Expo: The Trailblazer Expo is a large organization fair on the Friday of Trailblazer Connections. There will be around 400 students in the Expo at a time, so if you have crowd anxiety, resources are available upon request. Class Sessions: There will be several class sessions on Friday. If you have specific accommodations, please reach out to the Disability Resource Center, or if you might need any accessibility resources not listed on this page, please reach out to New Student & Family Programs. Lunch provided. Options for dietary restrictions may be limited; please bring a lunch if you have specific dietary restrictions.
Trailblazer Connections is a two-credit course designed to ease your transition to Utah Tech University and to prepare you for your college experience. First time freshmen are automatically registered for this course to learn exactly what it takes to be a successful student.
In Trailblazer Connections, you will cover everything from how to develop the best college study and time management skills to how to work with professors and use the many campus resources available at Utah Tech. You will also reflect on why you decided to go to college in the first place, and how you can make the most out of the coming years. Trailblazer Connections allows you to develop a support network of classmates, faculty, and staff to help ensure a successful academic experience.
First time freshmen are automatically registered for Trailblazer Connections once they have completed the Fall Class Survey. You can check your registration status in your MyUT account.
Trailblazer Connections will help you build lasting memories at Utah Tech University for years to come. After the Connections course, you will be able to answer the following questions:
Why am I here?
What is an educated person?
How does an educated person contribute to his or her community?
What role does general education play in educating a person?
What role does the major play in educating a person?
How do I best engage myself in the process of becoming an educated person?
What does an intentional student look like?
What competencies do I need to develop in order to succeed?
What resources are available to help me succeed?
How do I become a fully engaged member of the university community?
What opportunities are there for me to have fun and to become more invested in the university community?
What is a learning community and how do I go about building one?
The pre-semester is the three days between move in and the first full day of class, Wednesday, August 16 through Friday, August 18 from around 8:45am-1:00pm. During these three days, students will be introduced to their Academic College, meet faculty and staff, and reflect and share academic and personal goals with classmates. Check the Course Information for a full pre-semester schedule.
Trailblazer Connections is made up of a pre-semester and full semester schedule, both of which are required.
If you absolutely cannot attend the pre-semester course please let your advisor know right away. You will most likely be placed in an full semester online version of the course so that you can make up the pre-semester content and hours.
Lunch will be provided all three days but there will be limited choices. If you have food allergies or are worried about the lack of choices you are encouraged to bring your own lunch to campus especially the first two days. Also St. George is very warm in August. Please bring your own filled reusable water bottle each day to help us reduce our use of plastic bottled water.
It is recommended to take this course in the first semester of college to ensure successful skills are learned and to build connections to other students and the campus resources that are available to help build a successful transition to college.
There are no specific texts for this course, but we recommend you bring the following:
Students should park in a lot and parking space based on their Utah Tech Parking Permit. You are required to have a parking pass anytime you park on campus. A parking pass may be purchased online. We encourage students to carpool or walk if possible, as parking may be limited.
Email: drc@utahtech.edu
Phone: 435-652-7516
Fax: 435-879-4038
Office: North Plaza Building (Beside the Testing Center)
Email: newstudent@utahtech.edu
Phone: 435-879-4691
Office: Holland Commons 181
