Joyce Honors Four Recipients of Standard Bearer Awards

Joyce University Honors Four Remarkable Community Members at Standard Bearer Award Ceremony

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 28, 2025 – Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences proudly recognized four outstanding individuals at its annual Standard Bearer Award Ceremony, held on April 22nd at the Joyce University campus in Draper, Utah. This distinguished event honors members of the Joyce community who exemplify the university’s core values of Service, Learning, Integrity, Caring, and Excellence.

Hosted by Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Lynn Bilder, and Dean of General Education, Jennifer Ayotte, the Standard Bearer Awards serve as a powerful reminder of the impact that service-minded, values-driven individuals can have within their communities and beyond.

The ceremony included a special recognition for Lorene Johnson, a long-standing member of the Joyce community who is retiring this year. Her decades of service and dedication to student growth and success were honored with a heartfelt tribute during the event.

This year’s honorees included:

Alumni Winner: Karla Lopez, who overcame personal and academic challenges with resilience and determination. After pausing her studies to welcome her child, she returned to complete her ASN degree and went on to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Joyce. Today, Karla practices in California, where she is known for her empathy, intelligence, and tenacity—qualities that make her an exceptional nurse and a model representative of the Joyce community.

Faculty Winner: Taylor Hoyt, OTD, OTR/L, who serves the university with unwavering dedication, exemplifies what it means to be a standard bearer at Joyce University. Known by her colleagues for her strength, compassion, and professionalism, she has been a steady and uplifting presence for both students and faculty. Whether she’s advocating for student success, problem-solving alongside colleagues, or simply offering a thoughtful word of encouragement,

Staff Winner: Colette Andersen, Director of Learning Support Services, who has been with Joyce since 2015 and has spent more than 40 years in education. Known for her warmth, responsiveness, and dedication to student success, Colette is often the first point of contact for struggling students—and the reason many of them succeed. Her service to the university reflects a deep commitment to integrity, learning, and personal connection.

Student Winner: Kayla Gongwer, a current nursing student, military spouse, and mother of two, exemplifies perseverance and service. Alongside her academic pursuits, Kayla worked with the Joyce Financial Aid Office to secure the MYCAA grant, helping increase access to affordable education for fellow military spouses. Her advocacy, leadership, and compassion make her an inspiring presence on campus.

Honorees were selected from a pool of nominations submitted by their peers, faculty, and university leadership, reflecting the collective admiration and respect they’ve earned within the Joyce community.

• ABOUT JOYCE UNIVERSITY

  Founded in 1979, Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences’ mission is to prepare students to serve as competent professionals, to advance their careers, and to pursue lifelong learning. Located in Draper, Utah, Joyce University is proud to have helped thousands of students across the US graduate and launch lasting healthcare careers. With a recent expansion of its pre-licensure programs to select regional locations, including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, Joyce University’s expansion enables aspiring nurses in these regions to access the same high-quality education and opportunities that have defined the institution for decades. Join them as they continue to shape the future of healthcare, one student at a time.

  Joyce University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and programmatically accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for the Associate of Science in Nursing degree program and by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degree programs.