A New Director Building Community Connections

Weber State’s Community Education Center recently welcomed its new director, Yesenia Quintana BS ’13, MED ’18, a WSU alum and experienced staff member.

Located in central Ogden, the CEC is a gateway to Weber State, offering ESL classes, career development programs and more. Much of the staff is bilingual to help fulfill the center’s mission of furthering the education of Ogden and Weber County’s Spanish-speaking population.

“We want to increase access to resources and experiences while also strengthening the fabric of our community, creating a ripple effect of connections and opportunities,” Quintana said.

WSU soft-launched Building Puentes, a Spanish-taught program offering classes that could count toward WSU degrees, with a $2.5 million grant from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity in fall 2024. Quintana led outreach and recruitment efforts, helping students with enrollment and identifying opportunities to grow the program.

She envisions the CEC as a welcoming place for Spanish speakers and many others to embark on their journey to college and their careers.