The Utah Board of Higher Education is investing in a University of Utah startup boosting access to education and healthcare workforce development.
At a March 26 meeting, the board allocated $450,000 in grant funding from the Utah System of Higher Education's Higher Education Success Endowment in Proxima Careers, a U "benefit company" launched in 2024.
The money will support 439 Proxima scholars as they study and train for entry-level healthcare jobs. Another 27 students will receive financial support for advanced training and education.
"Our strategy is a focus on rapid certification and employment into (high) demand roles, so that the scholars gain early confidence, which is critical," said Rich Saunders, Proxima president. "They gain confidence and income flowing into their bank accounts and real-world experience-all of that positions them then for continued education and upward mobility."
The university launched Proxima as part of the Eccles Health Campus & Hospital in West Valley City. Proxima uses a "care team" approach with intensive mentorship and advising, much like that used in health care, to identify potential learners, help them address basic needs, visualize a future in health care, and find the higher education program that works best for them. Funding from the University of Utah Research Foundation and the Sorenson and Miller family foundations provides financial support to help students bridge gaps for books, tuition and other education expenses.
In the past two years, Proxima has enrolled more 720 lower and middle-income students at public and private healthcare education and training institutions. Proxima projects being able to enroll an equal number of students over the next year.
The vast majority of Proxima learners-85%-qualify as low income. And one-third are 18 to 21 years old. More than one-third-39%-are enrolled in USHE institutions, the rest are studying and training at private institutions.
Saunders says the state funding will help Proxima shift that split, so that 60 percent of Proxima's new and continuing learners are enrolled at public institutions.
Salt Lake Community College President Greg Peterson said his college's partnership with Proxima helps students get to the next level.
"What we're trying to do is to give them an entry point to healthcare industry. And then, with the coaching that Proxima provides, that helps students continue on to see what the next pathway is," Peterson said.
Proxima's model, he added, helps the college persuade healthcare partners to be flexible with students and unique workforce development approaches.
USHE board members included another $50,000 in funding so Proxima can develop and enhance virtual learning options for rural students.
Proxima will report back to the board in a year.
