University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

At University of Advancing Technology (UAT) in Tempe, Arizona, leadership is defined by involvement, innovation, and community impact. During the Fall 2025 semester, Dylan Maxwell who has earned two bachelor's degrees in Advancing Computer Science and Data Science, was honored with the Brook Cayce Legacy Leadership Award, recognizing students who exemplify leadership, service, and dedication throughout their time at UAT.

What the Brook Cayce Legacy Leadership Award Means to Dylan

For Dylan Maxwell, receiving the Brook Cayce Legacy Leadership Award for the Fall 2025 semester was both humbling and meaningful. Beyond the recognition itself, the legacy behind the award made it especially impactful.

“Receiving this award means a lot to me,” Dylan shared. “It made me realize how much I’ve enjoyed my time at UAT and how many great people I’ve gotten to know during my time here.”

The award reflects Dylan’s commitment to leadership, collaboration, and making a positive impact within the UAT community.

Staying Involved on Campus at the University of Advancing Technology

Dylan stayed actively involved at UAT through on-campus jobs, an internship, and student organizations, which helped him remain connected to campus life throughout his degree program.

Working on campus provided a daily opportunity to engage with peers, faculty, and staff, while involvement in multiple clubs helped Dylan build meaningful relationships. UAT’s smaller campus environment made it easy to feel connected and involved.

“Once you start meeting people at UAT, it becomes much easier to meet more and really feel like part of the community.”

Influential Faculty and Staff Who Shaped Dylan’s UAT Experience

Many UAT faculty and staff members played an important role in Dylan’s success during his time in Tempe, AZ:

• Professor Heather Peters, a math professor, inspired Dylan with her cheerful teaching style, clear explanations, and daily national day traditions.

• Professor Dapzury Valenzuela, who taught SIP and Boards, provided invaluable guidance through the Student Innovation Project (SIP) process.

• Bree Erickson and Ashley Fuentes, Dylan’s on-campus job managers, offered mentorship and consistent support.

• Jake Henningsen assisted with resumes, internships, and career preparation.

• From the Portal team, Leslie Hall, Tristan Vaughn, Darla Martinez, and Renee Grauberger helped navigate scheduling and financial planning.

• Katy Toerner and Stace Dixon from UAT’s marketing department were especially influential during Dylan’s summer internship, offering hands-on experience in tech-focused marketing.

“I’d absolutely recommend the content creator internship to any student interested in marketing at UAT,” Dylan said.

Memorable Moments at UAT

Among many highlights at UAT, Dylan recalls hosting a cornhole competition with the Workshop Club and working on the first production studio project, Fair Game.

The most memorable moment, however, was presenting his Student Innovation Project, CoPay, on stage.

“Standing on stage and presenting my SIP project was such a proud moment for me.”

What’s Next for Dylan Maxwell After Graduating from UAT?

As Dylan graduates from University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona, the future holds exciting opportunities. While awaiting responses from job interviews, Dylan is eager to begin his professional career and apply the skills gained over three years at UAT.

In addition, Dylan plans to pursue freelance work, utilizing skills in programming, graphic design, marketing, and data analytics—a reflection of UAT’s interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to tech education.

Recognized with the Brook Cayce Legacy Leadership Award for the Fall 2025 semester, Dylan Maxwell leaves UAT with a strong foundation in leadership, innovation, and community—ready to make an impact wherever the future leads.

Inspired by Dylan’s journey?
Turn your passion for technology into real-world impact at University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, AZ. Get hands-on experience, build career-ready projects like SIP, and become a leader in tech.
👉 Start your tech degree at UAT today.