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Mountainland Technical College

Opening Institute 2025

Schedule

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Start Time
Event
Location
8:15 AM
Welcome: President Christensen
Ballroom
8:30 AM
Keynote Speaker: Aron Ralston
Ballroom
10:00 AM
BREAK
10:20 AM
Breakout Session 1
11:10 AM
Breakout Session 2
12:00 PM
LUNCH
Ballroom
1:00 PM
President’s Cabinet Q&A
Ballroom
1:30 PM
BREAK
1:40 PM
Department Meetings
College Relations
Cascade C
Administrative Services
Cascade A & B
Instruction
Ballroom
3:00 PM
Break / Move to Closing Session
3:10 PM
Closing Session
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Group
Time
Event
Presenter
Location
GROUP 1
10:20 – 11:05
Emergency Safety Training – Self Awareness
Security Team
Cascade DE
11:10 – 11:55
Mental Resilience
Jeff Gregson
Cascade ABC
GROUP 2
10:20 – 11:05
Mental Resilience
Jeff Gregson
Cascade ABC
11:10 – 11:55
Emergency Safety Training – Self Awareness
Security Team
Cascade DE

Keynote Speaker

Aron Ralston
Aron Ralston's extraordinary story of survival after an 800-pound boulder trapped him in a remote Utah canyon captured global headlines in 2003. In his New York Times best seller, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, the Oscar-nominated film, 127 Hours, and on stage, Ralston takes audiences vicariously through those six days without water, means of communication, or hope of escape, to the ecstatic moments when he freed himself by severing his own arm.

Following a miraculous rescue spearheaded by his mom and with the aid of prosthetics he helped design, Aron returned to his outdoor passions, completing elite mountaineering projects which remain unrepeated even to this day. He has interviewed with Tom Brokaw, David Letterman, and Jay Leno, and received standing ovations and industry-leading testimonials from over five hundred groups around the world. Attendees credit Ralston's story with encouraging them through disease, disability, and loss, even saving their lives from suicide and depression.

Aron's incredible triumph in the face of insurmountable odds inspires audiences to harness the power of their deepest motivations, relationships, and mindset to transform personal and professional "boulders" into their blessings. Today, Ralston continues to pursue high-altitude adventures, advocates for wilderness protection, and tries to keep up with his two spirited children, Leo and Elisabetta.

Breakout Session Presenters

Jeff Gregson
Jeff is certified by the International OCD Foundation and trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy under Dr. David Burns, a leading expert in the field. His career includes roles in international therapeutic boarding schools, serving as the director of a specialized adolescent psychiatric hospital, and developing clinical programs for three residential treatment centers.
Jeff has been featured on KSL and BYU Radio, and provided aftercare counseling for participants of the TV program Hoarders. He currently works in private practice as a therapist, is part owner and operator with Lifted, a program specifically created for difficult OCD, and shares his expertise through his platform, All Things Anxiety.
Outside of his professional work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family outdoors and traveling. While he has contributed to mental health efforts globally, his greatest passion is helping individuals in his own community overcome anxiety and fear.
Jake Haggerty
Jake has a strong background in public safety, with many years of experience as a police officer for both the Salt Lake City Police Department and the Salt Lake City Airport Police. During his career, he served as a field training officer, was part of the Salt Lake City SWAT team, and worked alongside his K9 partner, Bobby the bomb dog.
Now serving as the Security and Risk Manager at MTECH, Jake takes a lot of pride in the role he plays in keeping students and staff safe. He enjoys being part of a team that makes a difference every day.
When he’s not working, you’ll find Jake enjoying just about any sport—especially soccer, football, and hockey. He’s a die-hard Utah Utes fan and loves spending time with his wife and their four kids.
Adam Kallas
With more than ten years in law enforcement, Adam has built a career rooted in service, leadership, and keeping people safe. He served with both the Salt Lake City Police Department and the Airport Police, taking on hands-on roles like bike patrol, field training officer, and department training instructor.
Currently, Adam brings that same experienced approach to his role as Security and Risk Lead at MTECH, where he’s proud to help cultivate a safe and supportive learning environment.
Off the clock, Adam loves the outdoors. He enjoys hunting, camping, watching an MMA fight or hockey game. His favorite adventure partners? His 14 year old daughter Presley and their loyal dog, Kavik.

MTECH Years of Service

5 Years (2019-2020)

Jeffery Wood
Justin Christensen
Raylene Custer
Stan Ericksen
Joseph Burton
Anthony Hicks
Leslie Ekker
Larry Johnson
Fernando Rivero
Jay Hales
Jentry Cody
Robyn Steen
Brayden Lemke

Kevin Ray
Parker Rushton
Judd Statham
Ron Cole
Brandon Anderson
Jeff Heinz
Robert Patterson
Tennille Sawyer
Jenny Sharp
Paul Raffensparger
Richard Dougan
Lindsay Barney
Grace Martin-Ross

10 Years (2014-2015)

Cory Pilbeam
Karl Beckstrand
Todd Christensen
Ashlee Bowen
Michael Nielson
Lisa Bezzant
David Denlinger
Cassidy Jones
Karla Alvarez

15 Years (2009-2010)

AJ Neerings
SuAnn Bird
Lucas Sandgren

20 Years (2004-2005)

Becky Fenton
Kirt Michaelis
Judy Telfer
Lisa Oakes-Hawker
Darlene Durrant
Mark Middlebrook
Greta Bradford

25 Years (1999-2000)

Blake Hendry

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