Nolan Karras, Former Speaker, Utah State House of Representatives; Co-chair, Education First; Chairman, Governor’s Education Excellence Commission
I’ve worked with Steve for years on public policy issues, especially on public and higher education topics. We’ve served together on advisory commissions when he led the Utah Foundation, and I’ve hired him as a consultant repeatedly for policy research, communications, and advocacy on issues-related campaigns. Steve’s mastery of the issues is fantastic, and even more importantly, he listens to ensure a clear understanding of our interests and strategic directions. He works well with us to make effective modifications to our communications and policy strategies. He’s particularly skilled at making complicated topics easier for the public and news media to understand and use.
The bottom line is that it’s really easy to work with Steve – he’s knowledgeable, skilled, flexible, excited to take on new challenges, and frankly, he’s just a good human.
Jeffrey Johnson, Director, Institutional Effectiveness, Planning, and Accreditation Support, Utah Valley University
On behalf of Utah Valley University’s Comprehensive Planning Working Group, allow me to extend my thanks for your outstanding service on the development of the Academic Master Plan and Strategic Planning Integration Process. The final documents were approved by the UVU Board of Trustees on June 28, 2018.
As you know, our Academic Master Plan had been an ongoing challenge for several years. Thanks to your effort in facilitating discussions among the diverse interests involved, UVU has been able to develop the concepts we were working with into an operational academic plan that will guide planning, resource allocation, and other efforts at UVU and to adjust as needs and strategies change. Building on that success, you cogently synthesized the range of institutional plans into a single Strategic Planning Integration document that communicates how the common elements of the plans help UVU fulfill its mission, providing a comprehensive view of our commitment to student success.
I very much appreciate the inclusivity with which you approached this project, and that you communicated effectively with me, the other members of the working group, and involved members of the campus at large. Your outsider’s view was, without question, critical to helping the UVU community work through these challenges, while your thoughtfulness ensured that you always understood the needs and aims of the university.
I am pleased to be able to recommend your work without reservation to other organizations who are developing comprehensive plans. I have no doubt that, with your help, they will experience the same success as UVU has.
Justin Jones, Chief of Staff, Utah Valley University
As one of many stakeholders working with Steve Kroes to finalize Utah Valley University’s (UVU’s) first combined Master Plan, I can’t say enough about the value of his work. Steve’s keen insight and understanding of the planning process, coupled with his immense background for good public policy has given our time-strapped staff the ability to sit back and watch a master at work. His assistance began the very day UVU called and continues across the finish line. I can see us calling on him again and again as we immediately begin tackling the gaps identified in the plan.
On top of all of the great leadership and mentoring work that Steve has offered, I learned during one of his visits to my office his expertise in botanicals. What I learned from our brief discussion has made my office plants thrive. He has set UVU up for a wonderful future.