Ethan Hood
"It wasn't until my last semester at SLCC that I made the decision to major in physics," Hood explains. This decision led him to the U, where the robust conveyer between institutions made his transition seamless.
"I'd say it's probably one of the most streamlined pipelines between two institutions in the country," Hood reflects on the SLCC-to-Utah pathway. "It felt very harmonious, and especially now where we have the SLCC-U campus... . It’s really blossomed as a true partnership."
The mutually beneficial arrangement has allowed Hood to transition from community college to a major research university without missing a beat, demonstrating how strategic investment in higher education creates continuous pathways for student success.
Goff Institute Trailblazer
This semester, Hood is participating in the U’s Goff Institute's Trailblazers program, where he's applying his scientific training to real-world challenges. Working with a diverse team, Hood is helping the Leonardo Museum in Salt Lake City to better engage with the public.
"The problem that we've been given is to help the museum tell their story more effectively," Hood says. His team is focusing on both visitor acquisition and retention—skills that translate directly to economic impact for cultural institutions.
As the only science major in a program, primarily made up of business majors, Hood brings a unique approach to his consulting work. "It's similar to a problem-solving process in a scientific or physics sense, somewhat related to the scientific method," he notes, demonstrating how education in STEM creates versatile problem-solvers across sectors.
Science Research Initiative
Simultaneously, Hood participates in the Science Research Initiative (SRI) with Dr. Carsten Rott, chair of the U's Physics & Astronomy Department. SRI, which typically targets freshmen, also welcomes transfer students, recognizing the potential of students like Hood despite non-traditional paths.
“We study neutrino particles using data from the IceCube Observatory down in Antarctica. Neutrinos are my favorite little subatomic friends. Very much a 'go with the flow’ feel as they’re so weakly interacting.”
This opportunity exemplifies how university research initiatives can be structured to include students from diverse backgrounds, including community college transfers. It also showcases how public funding for research programs directly benefits students by creating hands-on learning experiences that classroom instruction alone cannot provide.
‘Scicomm’ as Presidential Intern
Additionally, throughout the current academic year, Hood has served as a Presidential Intern with the U's University Marketing and Communications team, where he's found his niche in what’s called “scicomm,” short for science communication, as a science writer. This prestigious appointment has allowed him to meet with leading researchers, discuss cutting-edge discoveries and craft stories that translate complex concepts for public understanding.
Hood describes his approach to science writing using an archaeological metaphor: "Figuring out who to interview and what to talk to them about is doing your site research. That gets you there, and then you start digging — that's the interview. You probably uncover some fragments of artifacts, and then you need to figure out how to piece them back together — drafting and editing the article. Once that's all touched up and polished, then presented in the museum, that's when it's published."
This internship represents the university's investment in developing not just technical experts, but skilled communicators who can bridge the gap between specialized knowledge and the lay reader— a critical need in today's information ecosystem.
Public impact
Looking ahead, Hood is developing a service project through the U's Bennion Center focused on STEM outreach and science literacy. "That's shaping up to … doing a lot of tutoring whether for children or adults and helping them develop math skills and build an interest in science."
Formalizing his service work ambitions is likely in the offing. "Maybe there's the potential out there for me to develop an outreach program or maybe a curriculum that could be used, not necessarily [for] research specifically, but science literacy."
With a strategically formulated and accessible curriculum, this program would directly address critical needs in science education, elevating public understanding and acceptance of STEM. It’s part of the suite of essential services, or outreach, to the broader community that is sometime unfulfilled, changing the preposition in the University of Utah to the University for Utah.
ROI of a physics education
While Hood dreams of becoming a professional astronomer, his physics education has prepared him for numerous career paths. "In case things don’t pan out, I have a variety of professional employment opportunities, whether it's in engineering or maybe in something far off, like finance or banking," he says.
This pliability is recognized among his peers, such as his classmate Sylver, who refers to physics as “the Swiss Army knife of degrees.” "That was one of the big appeals for me to get involved in physics — just that versatility and that knowledge that at the end of the day, when I graduate, I will have definite worth that I can provide."
The joke about physicists becoming bankers isn't just humor — it reflects the real economic value of STEM education. "There's a popular story that I love to share about a physicist who went into banking with one of those big companies," Hood says. "He's doing high-level financial analysis as a physics graduate."
This adaptability represents a significant return on investment for both students and the state, as graduates like Hood develop transferable skills that contribute to economic growth across multiple sectors.
Higher Ed's purpose and promise
Whether Hood's future lies in science communication, research, education, or even finance, his multifaceted university experience exemplifies how public investment in higher education yields dividends far beyond individual career preparation. Through his involvement with the Goff Institute, SRI, presidential internship, and the Bennion Center, Hood demonstrates how universities serve as engines of opportunity, innovation and community engagement.
"One of my values is STEM outreach and being able to inspire people to take an interest and passion in science, and ideally even go on and become scientists themselves," Hood says at a high level, but always determined to face outwards. "Hopefully there's some small changes or influences that we can make in our positions ... that we can make a positive impact, not just for ourselves, but for the future generations as well."
In Ethan Hood's journey from community college to Utah’s flagship research university, we see the full promise of higher education realized — creating not just graduates, but engaged citizens equipped to address complex challenges and inspire others along the way.