Jennifer Luckau

I am a mother of two and a “non-traditional student” (which just means I am old enough to be called “mom” by many of my classmates). My path to the HSP degree was a long and winding one and began when I graduated high school with plans to enroll in college that fall. Instead, however, I did what many young people in Utah do--I got married and had my first child by the time I was 20. At the same time, I started working in the small package industry, where I spent the next 10 years. I held positions in customer service, marketing, revenue management and sales. I did take some college courses in business but lacked interest and soon dropped out. Later, I quit my job to stay home with my children and take care of my son, who was later diagnosed with Autism. I enjoyed being able to spend time with my children, but I did not enjoy being financially dependent on someone else, especially when it was an unhealthy relationship. Eventually, I became tired of feeling “stuck” and unhappy and decided to return to school. I enrolled in the social work program at SLCC where I developed a great passion for social policy related issues. When it was time for me to apply to the U, however, I realized I was not nearly as interested in the clinical side of social work and decided to explore other majors. I ended up deciding to major in Health, Society & Policy because I believe health is an important factor in many of the social policy decisions we are facing today. The HSP degree has not only prepared me for my future educational and career goals, but it has also given me opportunities I would not have had, otherwise. I participated in a student-led policy clinic where we were to research, write and propose a bill to members of the state legislature. I proposed SB187 to Senator Luz Escamilla just in time for the session and it passed unanimously in both the house and the senate. This is something I never would have attempted had I not returned to school. 

My future plans include a career in a research and policy related field and my dream is to help solve social policy issues at the macro-level. The best thing about the HSP program is its interdisciplinary approach, which has helped me understand the need to consider the many different perspectives involved during the policy process.