91¶ÌÊÓƵ

91¶ÌÊÓƵ Storytelling Karen J. Ashton Award

2025 Recipients

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CHLOE D. MERRILL, PH.D., CPC, CFCS, CFLE

Dr. Chloe D. Merrill served as Associate Dean for the Jerry and Vickie Moyes College of Education and the Executive Director for the Boyd K. and Donna S. Packer Center for Family & Community Education. Dr. Merrill was a faculty member in the Department of Child and Family Studies at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ from 1979-2022. She also acted as the Executive Director of the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Storytelling Festival during this time. She taught a variety of different courses within the department in both the Early Childhood Education Major and the Family Studies Major. She served as department chairperson from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2012, and September 1, 1987, to June 30, 1995.

Dr. Merrill was instrumental in starting the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Charter Academy and served as chair of the Governing Board for the first 3 years. This is a public Charter School authorized by 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.

Chloe is a member and active in numerous professional organizations. She is affiliated with civic and educational associations where she has served as a board and committee member. Some included: Professional Woman Network, an international consulting organization; National Association of Female Executives; National Council on Family Relations; and the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. As a motivational speaker, conference and workshop lecturer, Chloe strives to educate all participants with knowledge that will help them throughout their lives.

Dr. Merrill has received numerous awards. Some include: Meritorious Service Award, National Council on Family Relations, 2001; Special Recognition award for Outstanding Service to the AAFCS Business Section, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 1999; Outstanding Service to the Certified Family Life Educator Program Award, National Council on Family Relations, 1998; Lowe Innovative Teaching Award, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, 1998; Leader Award, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 1998; Leader Award, Utah Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 1997; and the Endowed Scholar for the College of Education, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ from 1993-1997.

Dr. Merrill taught at Weber High school prior to coming to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ and has worked with and for different corporations to help develop curriculum.

Dr. Merrill continues working with people as the owner of Transformational Symmetry Consulting, LLC, which specializes in personal and corporate effectiveness. Founded in 1996 to inspire, motivate and guide individuals and organizations through "Continuous Change with Balance", Transformational Symmetry Consulting, LLC. links together the mind, body, and spirit to help improve productivity, creativity, memory, energy, ability to communicate with yourself and others, and overall improve quality of life.

Chloe is one of the co-authors in the books “Self-Esteem and Empowerment for Women,” “You’re on Stage! Image, Etiquette, Branding & Style,” “Women’s Journey to Wellness: Mind, Body, & Spirit,” “Women’s Survival Guide for Overcoming Obstacles, Transition & Change” and “Women as Leaders: Strategies for Empowerment & Communication” all published by the Professional Woman Publishing.

Chloe was born in Carbon County, Utah. She graduated with an associate’s degree from College of Eastern Utah, bachelor’s and master’s Degree from Utah State University, and Doctorate from Colorado State University. She and/or her team of specialists are available for presentations on a local, national, and international basis.

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CAROL M. VANDENAKKER, MS

Carol VandenAkker, MS, better known as Miss V, worked in public education for 37 years. She graduated from Weber State College in 1972 with a composite major in Business Education/Office Administration. While still teaching, Carol returned to school for a Master of Science from Brigham Young University with a major in Business Education, Minor in Business Management, and Emphasis in Organizational Behavior.

Carol was a business education teacher for Jordan School District from 1972-1995. She began her career at Hillcrest high school mid-year and found that her sense of humor was important when dealing with students. Carol was at Hillcrest for 23 year and then opened Copper Hills High School as not only the business department chair but a technology special for the school. Even though Carol loved teaching her students and working with other faculty members and administrators in 1995, she became the Career and Technical Education Specialist for Jordan School District.

Carol’s teaching philosophy was “To give students marketable skills and an awareness of what is needed in various occupations they might pursue.” Students responded to Carol’s various teaching styles and Carol worked to recognize their learning achievement’s. Carol loves high school humor and was able to return student humor with her own.

In 2005, Miss V (Carol) retired from the Jordan School district and looked forward to traveling and doing things that she really wanted to do. However, she found that retirement was not for her. In 2008, she became the secretary for Wasatch Front Consortium (Sponsored by Canyons, Granite, Jordan, Murray, Salt Lake City, and Tooele County School Districts Career and Technical Education. Carol was able to work with individuals and groups that she had worked with before and see many ideas come to fruition. Carol decided that she wanted to work closer to home and in 2011 became an administrative assistant for the Department of Child and Family Studies at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. The Moyes College of Education associate dean and others were developing a Charter School and a center for Family and Community education and in 2012 Carol transferred to the Dean’s office as the administrative assistant to the Associate Dean. She had multiple levels of duties in this position, and one was to be part of the Storytelling Festival. Carol favorite thing about Storytelling was watching the young students tell their stories in front of the crowds. They were wonderful storytellers with their excitement and involvement. She would watch people become enthralled by the stories. In 2018, Carol took a position as the administrative specialist to the Dean of the Moyes college of Education but was still indirectly involved with Storytelling.

Carol did a second retirement June 2022 and is loving it this time around. She lives in South Jordan with her Kidlets (pets).