How Northern Utah Industry Leaders Are Building NUEX with WSU

As Weber State University prepares to launch the Northern Utah Employer Exchange (NUEX), a key driving force behind the event’s success is a dedicated group of industry professionals who are advising the university all along the way. 

Meeting monthly with the Division of Online and Continuing Education’s (DOCE) business development team, this committee has been instrumental in shaping an event that will be aimed at genuinely meeting the needs of northern Utah employers and learning from them. 

"NUEX represents a transformative shift in how academia and business work together to address complex issues and build lasting partnerships for the future," said Jason Bradshaw, director of operations for Clearfield Recycling and NUEX industry think tank member. “To address these problems effectively, collaboration between academia and all segments of the business world is essential.”

At each monthly meeting, the university’s business development team provides the think tank with updates on two key areas. First, they review the latest developments in event planning, including everything from logistics and curriculum design to swag and catering. Second, the group receives insight into the internal impact NUEX is already having at WSU. 

The business development team shares feedback from the university’s faculty and staff planning board, highlighting how the event is actively influencing higher ed perspectives on workforce needs and industry collaboration. Think tank feedback is regularly shared with WSU’s marketing team, planning committee, internal board, and various subcommittees. This two-way communication ensures that the event is built with alignment across all stakeholders — academic and industry alike. The influence of the think tank is visible in every decision, reinforcing the university’s commitment to being responsive to local business and nonprofit needs.

That commitment was on full display during a recent mock breakout session, where members of both the internal board and the industry think tank came together for the first time. The mock breakout session allowed us to work through the presentation format, trial run our exercises, and gain insight from industry experts on what will make this event successful. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with both groups recognizing the transformative potential of NUEX for industry/higher ed problem-solving.

This collaborative approach highlights a core value of Weber State: to engage meaningfully with our surrounding community. Through supporting the evolving needs of northern Utah’s workforce and bringing industry leaders directly into the planning process, NUEX is set to be an event built with, not just for, our community’s industries.

Join us at NUEX on Oct. 2 in the Shepherd Union Building at Weber State University. Sign up for our email list to stay updated on the latest NUEX details, tips, and more.