Utah Marriage Commission
The Utah Marriage Commission provides free, research-based relationship education to help Utahns form and sustain healthy relationships and stronger marriages.
Utah Marriage Commission History
The Utah Marriage Commission began in 1998 as part of the Governor’s office. It was placed in the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) in 2004 to take advantage of TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) federal funding that came to DWS each year. A major purpose of TANF is to strengthen marriages and increase the number of children growing up in stable, healthy, two-parent families. In 2013, the Utah Marriage Commission was formally put in statute (63M-15) and transferred to the Department of Human Services, although it continued to be supported primarily with federal TANF funds. Then in 2021, the Utah Legislature passed a bill that further clarified the scope and responsibilities of the Commission. In addition, H.B. 55 designated Utah State University Extension, with its mission to translate research into programs and resources to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities throughout Utah, as the host for the UMC. The Commission is directed by a group of volunteer experts appointed by the Governor and key staff (see below).
Learn more details about UMC’s history and responsibilities HERE
Voting Members
![Jill Anderson](/strongermarriage/images/JillAnderson1.jpg)
Jill Anderson
Appointment: 9/2022
Commission Member
CAPSA
![Lauren Andrus Lauren Andrus](/strongermarriage/images/LaurenAndrus.jpg)
Lauren Roberts
Appointment: 8/2023
Commission Member
![Melissa Ballard](/strongermarriage/images/melissa-ballard.jpg)
Appointment: 5/2019
Commission Chair
Utah State House of Representatives
![Brad Barnett](/strongermarriage/images/brad-barnett.png)
Appointment: 4/2022
Commission Member
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family Services
![Jeremy Boden](/strongermarriage/images/Boden.jpeg)
Jeremy Boden
Appointment: 8/2023
Commission Member
![Tiffiney Christiansen](/strongermarriage/images/TiffineyChristiansen.jpg)
Tiffiney Christiansen
Appointment: 9/2022
Commission Member
Leavitt Group
![Dan Evans](/strongermarriage/images/Dan-Evans.jpg)
Dan Evans
Appointment: 9/2022
Commission Member
Fox 13 News
![Tamara Fackrell](/strongermarriage/images/TamaraFackrell2.jpg)
Tamara Fackrell
Appointment: 9/2022
Commission Member
Rodriquez-Poston & Fackrell
![Bruce Hough Bruce Hough](/strongermarriage/images/BruceHough.jpg)
Bruce Hough
Appointment: 9/2022
Commission Member
![John Johnson](/strongermarriage/images/john-johnson.jpg)
Appointment: 4/2021
Commission Member
Utah State Senate
![Mike Kennedy](/strongermarriage/images/mike-kennedy.jpg)
Appointment: 4/2021
Commission Member
Utah State Senate
![Chelom Leavitt](/strongermarriage/images/Leavitt.jpg)
Chelom Leavitt
Appointment: 8/2023
Commission Member
![Douglas LeCheminant](/strongermarriage/images/carol-s-moss.jpg)
Appointment: 5/2013
Commission Member
UT House of Representatives
![Joe Needham Joe Needham](/strongermarriage/images/JoeNeedham.jpg)
Joe Needham
Appointment: 4/2022
Commission Member
Needham Jewelers
![Crystal Painter Crystal Painter](/strongermarriage/images/CrystalPainter.jpg)
Crystal Painter
Appointment: 4/2022
Commission Member
SLC Catholic Diocese
![Mary Catherine Perry Mary Catherine Perry](/strongermarriage/images/MaryCatherine.jpg)
Mary Catherine Perry
Appointment: 9/2022
Commission Member
![Lola Shipp](/strongermarriage/images/lola-shipp.jpg)
Lola Shipp
Appointment: 8/2019
Commission Member
Utah Board of Education
Krista Sorenson
Appointment: 9/2022
Commission Member
Sorenson Impact Foundation
![Tessa Stewart Tessa Stewart](/strongermarriage/images/TessaHafenStewart.jpg)
Tessa Stewart
Appointment: 9/2022
Commission Member
![Tanya Vea Tanya Vea](/strongermarriage/images/tanyaVea.jpg)
Tanya Vea
Appointment: 9/2022
Commission Member
Bonneville Media
Dave Thomas
Appointment: 9/2022
Commission Member
Thomas Arts
![Todd Weiler](/strongermarriage/images/todd-wiler.jpg)
Sen. Todd Weiler
Appointment: 1/2020
Commission Member
Utah State Senate
Advising Members
![Jackie Leavitt](/strongermarriage/images/JackieLeavitt.jpg)
Jacalyn Leavitt
Honorary Chair
![Mark Jarvis Mark Jarvis](/strongermarriage/images/mark-jarvis.jpg)
Dr. Mark O. Jarvis
Professor of Family Life, SLCC
![Naomi Brower Naomi Brower](/strongermarriage/images/naomibrower.jpg)
Naomi Brower
Professor, USU Ext. Weber
![Nate Bagley Nate Bagley](/strongermarriage/images/natebagley.jpg)
Nate Bagley
Growth Marriage: Relationship Podcast, Speaker, and Researcher
UMC Host and Staff
![Brian Higginbotham Brian Higginbotham](/strongermarriage/images/higginbotham-brian.jpg)
Dr. Brian Higginbotham
Associate VP, USU Extension
![Dave Schramm Dave Schramm](/strongermarriage/images/schrammDave.jpg)
Dr. David Schramm
Professor of Family Life, USU Extension
![Alan Hawkins](/strongermarriage/images/DrAlanHawkins.jpg)
Alan J. Hawkins, PhD
Manager
Utah Marriage Commission
The host organization is determined by the legislature, while members of the Utah Marriage Commission are appointed by the Governor and elected officials. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by the Commission and its members do not necessarily reflect the views of the host organization. Utah State University’s host responsibilities are limited as defined in (2021) H.B. 55. 63M-14-206. Utah State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution and is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination, including harassment. Click here to view USU’s non-discrimination notice.