Emigrating from Fiji to the United States marked a fresh start for Robina Pals and her husband, David. Though she’d always wanted to pursue higher education, it had seemed unattainable.

“I came from an abusive past and all my dignity, my pride and self-respect were stripped of me,” she said. “I felt like I didn’t even own my own name.”

The family moved to southern Utah when David got a job with the Department of Interior out of the Bureau of Land Management field office in Moab. And the encouragement from her husband and their proximity to the Utah State University Moab campus changed everything.

Associate Vice President of USU Moab Lianna Etchberger even took notice of his support.

“David even signed on to work as an evening facilitator at USU Moab while she was a student and busy with night classes,” Etchberger said.

Pals’ first job was with the Moab Post Office, where she got to know some people and her way around the city, even how to drive, though she didn’t have to travel far to receive her education.

“USU made it easy for me to have full-time job and earn a degree,” she added. “The faculty members were extremely helpful and accommodating to me. There was an adult learning center where the staff members helped me with English and math as I am an ESL student. The schedule was very flexible, and I was able to take classes and exams after work.”

Six years after first settling in Moab, Pals earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting. In addition to a promotion — from an accountant to the controller of Moab Regional Hospital — and recognition her degree has afforded her, Pals said she’s gotten to know so many people through her experiences.

Etchberger remarked on her determination, resilience, proud heritage, and commitment to being active in the community.
Pals continues to give back to the community that’s supported her through volunteer work with the Moab Free Health Clinic and the Moab Valley Multicultural Center. She also puts her accounting skills to use as the treasurer of the Moab Rotary Club and helped raise donations for refugees of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

More information about USU Moab and its programs can be found at moab.usu.edu.
Contact for web: Lianna Etchberger Associate Vice President USU Moab  lianna.etchberger@usu.edu