Farewell to Shauna Lower and welcome to Virginia DeSpain as interim director of the SPSC
After 12 years of dedicated leadership, Shauna Lower has resigned from her role as director of the Student Parent Support Center (SPSC) at the University of Utah.
During her tenure, Lower made significant contributions to supporting student parents and their families, transforming the SPSC into a model of student-parent support both at the university and nationally. Her efforts included expanding lactation spaces from 8 to 30, launching on-site drop-in childcare at three health centers, creating a free diaper bank, and securing over $7 million in grant funding to improve childcare facilities and services.
Lower efforts furthered the development of the UKids Child Care Programs and the rebranding of the office to better reflect its mission. Her advocacy and leadership were widely recognized, earning her the prestigious Mary Olsen Friends of Children Administrator of the Year Award from the Utah Association for the Education of Young Children in 2017.
“Shauna has been an integral part of the Student Affair’s mission to support the well-being and success of student parents,” said Jerry Basford, Associate vice president of Finance and Operations. “Her tireless work, whether it was expanding childcare options, advocating for family resources, or securing crucial funding, has made an immeasurable difference. She has truly transformed the landscape for student parents on campus, and her leadership will be deeply missed.”
As Lower departs, Virginia DeSpain steps in as interim director. With nine years of experience at the University of Utah and a strong background in early childhood education, DeSpain is well-equipped to continue the center’s mission. She holds degrees in bilingual/multicultural education and early childhood special education and has 23 years of experience running a nationally accredited childcare facility. DeSpain has been instrumental in many of the childcare initiatives at the U of U and is eager to lead the center into its next chapter.
“Virginia is passionate about supporting student parents and will continue to enhance the programs that provide vital assistance to families on campus,” added Basford.