40 Years of Impact

Since 1980, the center has helped students with learning and attention challenges make the most of their college education.

Through the SALT Center, students learn organization skills, time management, and how to set study routines and prepare for tests. From its humble beginnings, when only three students used its services, the SALT Center now serves 700 students who make 30,000 annual visits for comprehensive individualized assistance.

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SALT Center alumna, Emily Pendleton is one example of how Arizona graduates use the strategies they learned at the SALT Center to become accomplished professionals. After a successful career in retail, Emily is now a Strategic Learning Specialist at the center and uses her knowledge and passion about learning differences to help students thrive.

“I’ve sat in their exact chair and understand what their struggles might be. Parents support their students, but they may not know exactly what it’s like,” Emily said. “When I went to the SALT Center, it wasn’t in this beautiful building — we were in a section of Old Main, and there were three learning specialists per office. Now, we serve 700 students and we meet in private offices, so students don’t have to feel the pressure of someone overhearing them. The SALT Center’s growth has been enormous.”

“There’s no other program that’s out there that does what the SALT Center does,” Emily added. “I have such a passion for our mission.”

Many of the center’s milestones of the past decade can be attributed to the generosity of Patricia and Bruce Bartlett. The Bartletts’ relationship with the SALT Center began in 2004 when their son, Ben, was a student in the program. “I always say that Ben graduated, but Pat stayed,” said Bruce with a laugh.

“Among our valued philanthropic partners, Bruce and Patricia Bartlett stand out as giants. The multiple generous donations the Bartletts have made over more than a decade demonstrate their incredible commitment to helping students who learn differently excel at UArizona and beyond.”   

— Gabrielle Miller, Ed.D, Executive Director, SALT Center

The Bartletts have invested time and again to ensure that the SALT Center continues to expand services and increase its impact on students’ lives.  Their most recent $8 million gift is launching a new multidisciplinary research effort that will be known as Bartlett Labs. With a robust research agenda in place, the new endeavor aims to enhance our understanding of college students who learn differently and the best ways to support them.

Story by Kim Stoll