SLCC LEGISLATIVE CHAMPION

MELISSA GARFF BALLARD

Utah House of Representatives District 20, Davis County

The Salt Lake Community College Legislative Champion Award honors state legislators who demonstrate through their legislative activities a commitment to advancing and improving higher education for the state. The College’s Legislative Champion is selected at the conclusion of every legislative session.

Representative Melissa Garff Ballard began her service in the Utah House of Representatives in 2019. At that time, she was appointed to the Higher Education Appropriations Committee, and in 2023 was named as the committee’s chair. In this role, she has been a great champion for SLCC and Utah’s other higher education institutions.

During her early days as a legislator, Representative Ballard visited SLCC to learn more about its students and perspectives on important issues related to education. Through the years, she continues to keep in contact with SLCC leadership and students.

During the most recent legislative session, Representative Ballard was instrumental in helping higher education institutions receive unprecedented state funding for a wide range of programs and initiatives, including many that will benefit SLCC students.

In addition to leading the Higher Education Appropriations Committee, Representative Ballard chairs the Utah Higher Education and Corrections Council and is an ardent advocate for incarcerated students.

Her work on the council aims to provide these students with the opportunity to receive college-level training and education that helps them successfully transition into society upon their release. These efforts have resulted in meaningful assistance and support for students participating in SLCC’s highly successful Prison Education Program.

Representative Ballard was born and raised in Davis County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and a master’s degree in Music from the University of Utah. She is also the founding chair of the University of Utah’s School of Music Advisory Board and is co-founder of the Salt Lake CAP Head Start Advisory Board, which serves hundreds of at-risk children whose families live below poverty level.