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Written By: Isis Hollis, Robin Houghton, and Allie Plunk

On our last day in Salt Lake City, LEAP Ambassadors were able to see the scenery and wildlife of the Great Salt Lake before heading home! Something we had been looking forward to all week, we were thrilled to have the chance to more thoroughly explore the beautiful area. 

Salt Lake City Farmer’s Market

Our busy day began with exploration in a few more “local” spots. 

A few of us split off to check out the Salt Lake City Farmer’s Market. Located downtown and stretching nearly 10 acres, the Farmer’s Market hosts a large array of vendors, selling everything from textiles to fresh honey. Though the food looked enticing, we couldn’t bring any food products back with us to Texas, so we spent most of our time exploring the vast number of local artisans, browsing work from ceramics, linocut prints, and even some photography! 

One favorite purchase was a linocut bandana, featuring almost 60 of Utah’s native birds, including a few that we’ve managed to spot on our trip, like the American Avocet and White-faced Ibis. 

Our favorite artwork, however, was a print from a Utah native artist, Meish Roundy. Roundy creates art on top of state maps featuring their respective animals, including Utah’s honeybee, a thank-you gift we ended up buying for Professor Yawn and Stephanie. 

Overall, we ranked the Salt Lake City Farmer’s Market one of the best– and largest– we’d seen!

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

While Robin and Olivia were checking out the local stands in the farmers market, the rest of us were exploring local and historic arts at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts!

​The museum features two floors of art from all different time periods and regions! 

In the first room of the museum is a piece by Japanese artist Onishi Yasuaki, titled Stone on Boundary. Something we found particularly striking about the piece was the fact that the foil molds that make up the suspended artwork were molded from rocks found in Japan and Utah. Though from very different places, the different shapes fit seamlessly together, reminding us of the fact that we are all connected, no matter how different we may seem. This effect was especially striking as small balconies allowed us to see the exhibition even from the more cultural sections of the second floor.

We did have a few more favorites throughout the museum, including Ralph Albert Blakelock’s Silvery Night. The Tonalist piece drew us in through its dark colors and the hazy, dream-like quality of the nighttime landscape. In the center of the darkness, though, shines a glowing moon, breathing a beacon of hopefulness into the otherwise moody painting. The painting also has a unique texture from Blakelock’s use of asphalt mixed into the paints, which enhanced the depth of the paints.

We also particularly liked the glass mosaic by Shahzia Sikander, titled Touchstone. The bright colors and organic feel given by the tile was eyecatching. It depicts a woman reaching for a chalawa, or ghostly spirit, symbolizing the human struggle to control the uncapturable and the beauty of unbound, shifting identities. By using glass shards and shifting light, the piece suggests that true agency is found not in confinement, but in transformation and infinity. 

 Our visit to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts reminded us that art has a unique way of connecting people across cultures, histories, and perspectives through shared human experiences.

Plates & Palates

For lunch, we ate a delicious selection of sandwiches from Plates & Palates, a small, family owned shop dedicated to making their customers feel at home. 

Though we didn’t have time to eat inside, we all found our meals delicious as we ate them in an in-car picnic on our way to our next stop! We enjoyed familiar favorites, like Ham & Swiss, and Chicken Caesar Salad…

… and tried new favorites, like Curry Chicken and Southwest Turkey Sandwiches! 

Though a simple meal, it was the perfect fuel we needed before continuing on our journey on the hottest day of the week. 

Eccles Wildlife and Antelope Island

After our meal, we stopped by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center, which was full of interesting bird egg replicas and groan-worthy bird puns, where we were pointed to a 1.2 mile trail that promised excellent shots of wildlife.

Thankfully, the trail did not disappoint! Walking along a stream extending off of the Great Salt Lake, we were in prime position to photograph plants, dragonflies, and birds! 

The busy ecosystem showcased a thriving environment for the animals of Utah. The scenery was beautiful and relaxing, but with temperatures of 103 degrees, we had to be careful to keep cool!   

Though we had planned for a hike on Antelope Island, the weather had started getting to all of us. We instead elected for a drive through the scenery of the island, with a few stops for pictures.

The first time we got out of the car, we were immediately struck by the smell! Though several yards away from the lake, the air was full of an almost oceanic salty scent that none of us had expected. 

We walked along the edge of a tendril stretching from the lake, surprised by the extent at which the Great Salt Lake had retreated, even since Professor Yawn and Stephanie visited two years ago. We took several good shots of a flock of Avocets, even capturing a few stragglers that had seemingly joined the group, including a duck!

The wildlife, though, was not the only striking thing about the location: the sandy ground was crusted in salt! The residues, left from the evaporation of the lake, provided large white pads across the former lake bed that crunched underfoot. Most of us, having never visited the Great Salt Lake, were surprised by this feature of the banks of the lake.

As we drove further onto the island, we were able to spot several more animals, including several antelope and bison! 

There were, of course, plenty of birds…

… and beautiful views!

One of our last stops was at an old ranch, open to the public for visitors. The beauty of the man-made being taken over by nature was astounding to all of us. 

However, the beauty wasn’t the only thing we enjoyed! We each took turns trying to rope a metal bull. While some of us were successful very quickly, others– like the illustrious Jacob Wessels– had to give up on our back-up plans of becoming Rodeo ropers. 

The beauty of Utah’s natural landscapes is something that the LEAP Ambassadors found inspiring, still one of their favorite things about the state. 

Taverna

Before heading back to the hotel to get a good night’s sleep before leaving early for our flights back to Texas, we picked up dinner from Taverna!

The family owned restaurant, founded in February of 2026 on the idea of community and connection, provided excellent meals for all of us. Famous for its pizza, the Ambassadors shared Pepperoni and Supreme pizzas, while Professor Yawn and Stephanie enjoyed a Fig and Bacon pizza. 

The flavors blended well together and provided an air of familiarity for our final meal in Utah. 

Conclusion

Our final day in Utah was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable week. From exploring art and businesses to photographing wildlife at the Great Salt Lake, we were reminded one last time of the incredible beauty, culture, and community that make Utah so special. We all left with lasting memories and a newfound appreciation for the places and experiences that made this year’s Council of State Governments Legislative Conference one we will never forget!

Written By: Isis Hollis, Robin Houghton, and Allie Plunk

Before the start of the Council of State Government’s annual meeting, LEAP students were able to spend their first day in Utah getting to know the unique culture of Salt Lake City! From city tours to cuisine, it was a great introduction to the vast array of things that Utah has to offer.    

Salt Lake City Bus Tour

The first event on our busy schedule was a bus tour of the city. One of the most striking buildings we were able to see was the Salt Lake City Temple. The temple, which took 40 years to build, was finished in 1893 and is home to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It features gothic elements such as gabled spires, pointed-arch windows, and emphatic verticality, striking an impressive silhouette to the city.

While we didn’t have a chance to go into the Temple, we did have the opportunity to attend an organ recital in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. It was a beautiful space–one that was built in 1867, prior to the railroad coming to SLC. This meant that all the materials had to be sourced locally, conveyed with oxen teams. Despite these limitations, the building is an aesthetic masterpiece and an acoustic marvel!

Of course, the City’s impressiveness extended beyond architecture; we also had a chance to see parks, landscapes, and art installations that also proved intriguing.

“This is the Place” Heritage Park provided us with a striking view of the nature this state offers. The mountains formed from many years of tectonic activity, creating the valley which the city calls home. From the park, we were able to see the city from an elevated and flattering view!

We particularly liked the “This is the Place Monument.” Its name, along with the name of the park, references the famous words by Brigham Young as he decided Salt Lake City would be the place to settle.

Our tour stopped briefly at the State Capital where we had the opportunity to meet Sabin Howard, sculptor of the WWI monument in Washington DC. He gave us a brief overview of his current project that will sit in Utah, a monument to honor the 250th anniversary of America.

A common motif throughout the city was the presence of beehives and beelike structures. The symbolism represents the shared ideals of the Salt Lake community. This mindset ensures that everyone works together to create a better community by contributing to historical conservation efforts and protecting the natural structures.

With many more adventures to come, and much learned about the city, the tour was a great success and a wonderful way to kick off our adventurous week!

Siegfried’s Delicatessen

Following the tour, we ate at local restaurant Seigfried’s Delicatessen. Founded in 1971 by German immigrant Siegfried Meyer, it is Salt Lake City’s only authentic German deli. Now owned by Daiva Stankadichyus, the restaurant continues its celebration of German cuisine through its homemade sausages, sauerkraut, and goulash.

We were all very excited to try new foods– some we had never heard of before, like Knockwurst (a garlicky beef sausage) and Weisswurst (a light pork sausage).

Though not particularly fond of sauerkraut, Robin found Seigfried’s version to be one of her favorites! Isis was charmed by the weiner schnitzel, which she had never tried before. Professor Yawn’s goulash was another table favorite; and Stephanie–an expert on Reuben sandwiches–gave a positive review of the Seigfried version (which featured mayo and mustard rather than Russian dressing).

This adventure into German cuisine served as just one example of the layered culture, much of it shaped by immigrants, of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Exploring the Capitol

Architecture also speaks to the culture and ideas of a place, so it’s not shocking that the LEAP Ambassadors throughout the years have taken an interest in the architecture of different cities. We had the opportunity to tour the Utah State Capitol and experience its intricate design work through an in-depth tour (after getting a taste of its grandeur from a brief stop on our morning bus tour). Our Capitol Docent, Jac, provided many insights into the symbolism present within the multi-story building.

We began in the House of Representatives, where 75 Representatives take their seats beneath the chamber’s ornate ceiling. While beautiful, at first glance, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, until we noticed two spoons on a few members’ desks. Jac informed us that those spoons were awards for “stirring the pot,” which had us taking notes for potential Ambassador awards.

Throughout the tour, we were in awe of how intentionally the Capitol was designed. The architect, Richard K.A. Kletting, included dozens of motifs throughout that told a detailed story of Utah and its values. The staple symbol of Utah – the beehive – could be found all over the Capitol. From the state seal on the doors, the honeycomb tiling on the floor, and most interestingly, the honeycomb onyx pillars in the Senate chamber, every detail reflected the values crucial to developing Salt Lake City.    

The Utah Senate has 29 districts, only two fewer than Texas. While Utah and Texas have a similar number of state legislators, individual Utah residents enjoy about 8 times more representation than Texas residents in their state legislature. This ratio isn’t much different in the House, either. This creates a strong relationship between constituents and representatives, a highlight of the Utah state government. Jac told us she even is able to have personal relationships with both her Representative and Senator, allowing her to have a deeper connection to what happens in legislation.

Conclusion

The first part of LEAP’s first day in Utah was well spent. In exploring the unique aspects of Salt Lake City, we all gained a valuable understanding of the city’s strong culture of community and sense of history, from a collection of different cuisines, to the various architectural styles, to the friendly people.

In academia, summer brings with it some lulls punctuated by freshmen orientations, which are intense periods of advisement. During one of the lulls, the Sam Center Director, Ashley Pruitt, invited a motley group of SHSU staff, administrators, and faculty to share insights with her team of advisors.

The two-hour panelogue was educational and, at times, entertaining, including: Dusty Jones (Math); Keila Tyner (Family and Consumer Sciences); Michael Henderson (College of Arts and Media); Mark Tuttle (COBA); Brian Jordan (History); Dustin Gross (Chemistry); Jason Enia (Political Science and CHSS); and Mike Yawn (LEAP Center).

Pruitt, as always full of directed energy, offered various prompts for discussion:

• What led to your field?
• What led to your leadership role?
• How do you handle anxious or struggling students in your class?
• What academic mistake taught you the most?
• What’s something people assume about your field that isn’t necessarily true?
• What do you wish more people knew about your discipline?
• What are you currently learning that has nothing to do with your job?
• What’s your favorite area/component of your discipline?
• What’s the most memorable student success story you’ve witnessed?
• What’s a question you wish someone would ask you?

Thus, we learned that while Dusty Jones ended up in the Math world, he began as a “theatre kid.”

We learned that Jason Enia is sometimes greeted with sighs and groans when he tells people that he teaches political science.

We also learned that Keila Tyner spent about ten years in New York, working for high-end companies, a lead-in to her role as Assistant Chair of Fashion Merchandising.

Additional learning included the fact that Brian Jordan does not like a “turning point” conception of history…

…and Michael Henderson was brought to SHSU to teach animation, despite his prior training as a painter. In addition, marketing may be difficult for Henderson: there are numerous artists, and at least one serial killer, with the same name (I would like to see a Venn diagram of these individuals to see how far the circles diverged from one another…).

Beyond these interesting facts, the session gave the opportunity for advisors to meet some University leaders, and the opportunity for University leaders to meet advisors–the latter, it should be noted, are leaders on campus, too. They often have the first real interaction with our incoming students, and over the course of their college career, they develop meaningful relationships with the students. Their presence in students’ lives influence student retention and success….

…and that, in turn, leads to the success of the University.

Many thanks to Director Ashley Pruitt for putting together this panel and for investing in her staff.