Heartland Dental awards $34,500 in scholarships to students at �鶹��ý campuses nationwide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KANSAS CITY, Mo., September 9, 2026—, the healthcare brand of , and today announced the recipients of the 2026 Heartland Dental Hygiene Scholarships. As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of dental hygienists, Heartland Dental is awarding $34,500 in scholarships to 23 students at participating �鶹��ý campuses nationwide. Each recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship in recognition of their dedication to their education and commitment to a career in dental hygiene.

Heartland Dental, the nation’s largest dental support organization, has been working with �鶹��ý for several years to help strengthen the pipeline of skilled dental hygienists entering the profession. This marks the fifth consecutive year Heartland Dental has awarded scholarships to �鶹��ý dental hygiene students.

“This year’s Heartland Dental Hygiene Scholarship recipients reflect the passion, dedication and commitment that are important to the future of dental hygiene,” said Henal Majethia, Campus Recruiting Manager at Heartland Dental. “These scholarships are one way we can support students as they prepare to enter the profession while continuing to invest in the development of a strong pipeline of talented dental hygienists who can make a meaningful difference for patients and communities.”

Added Kevin Prehn, SVP, Chief Operating Officer, Universal Technical Institute, Inc.: “From mentorship to scholarships, Heartland Dental continues to show a deep commitment to �鶹��ý students throughout their educational journey. Educator-employer partnerships like ours create meaningful pathways to employment for our students and we’re grateful for Heartland Dental’s ongoing investment in our students and dental programs.”

In addition to the annual scholarships, Heartland Dental has collaborated with �鶹��ý for several years to address its need for dental hygienists through company-sponsored dental hygiene labs on campus, graduate pinning ceremonies, pediatric dental events and the recent opening of the �鶹��ý-Fort Myers campus.

Nationwide, employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the overall average for all occupations.¹ In most states where �鶹��ý has campuses, the demand is significantly higher. For example, statewide projected job growth for dental hygienists in Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas ranges from 12% to 22% between 2024 and 2034.²

The 2026 scholarship recipients include:

Kaitlyn Faggiano, �鶹��ý–Denver
Calista Jamnik, �鶹��ý–Denver
Bianca Purkett, �鶹��ý–Jacksonville
Tyra Carter, �鶹��ý–Jacksonville
Jenae McKinney, �鶹��ý–Miramar
Fedlene Sainvil, �鶹��ý–Miramar
Elizabeth Cagle, �鶹��ý–Orlando
Savens Occulis, �鶹��ý–Orlando
Ashley Chin, �鶹��ý–Tampa
Bethsy Dorce, �鶹��ý–Tampa
Florliz Mungai, �鶹��ý–Kansas City
Narda Forward, �鶹��ý–Kansas City
Annaka Spears, �鶹��ý–Portland
Autumn Westergren, �鶹��ý–Portland
Markeia Milam, �鶹��ý–Memphis
Jesita Campos, �鶹��ý–Memphis
Claira Rhodes, �鶹��ý–Memphis
Isha Jah, �鶹��ý–Dallas
Kasaundra Boxell, �鶹��ý–Dallas
Lirija Ademi, �鶹��ý–Grand Prairie
Tanzim Chalwell, �鶹��ý–Grand Prairie
Kinjal Patel, �鶹��ý–San Antonio
Krystal Chavez, �鶹��ý–San Antonio

To learn more about �鶹��ý’s dental hygiene program, visit

¹Source: for Dental Hygienists nationally, 2025-2035, viewed September 8, 2026.

²Source: U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Long-Term Projections, 2024-2034, for dental hygienists in , , , and viewed September 8, 2026.

###

About �鶹��ý

, the healthcare brand of (NYSE: UTI), is committed to preparing tomorrow’s healthcare professionals for rewarding, in-demand careers in nursing, dental, respiratory, diagnostic, and allied health. Through strategic partnerships, �鶹��ý provides meaningful workforce solutions for some of the nation’s leading dental and healthcare systems. �鶹��ý operates 18 campuses across eight states and online under the brands �鶹��ý Career College and �鶹��ý Career Institute, which are accredited either by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges or the Council on Occupational Education. For more information, visit LinkedIn at @�鶹��ý, or on X at @�鶹��ýCareer.

About Heartland Dental

Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization, providing non-clinical administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 3,000 doctors in over 1,900 locations across 38 states and the District of Columbia. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit .

News & Press Releases

July 30 | Press Release

�鶹��ý Announces Oluyemi “Yemi” Awolola as Denver Campus President

July 6 | Press Release

Monica Jeffs to Lead �鶹��ý’ New Houston Campus

July 1 | Press Release

�鶹��ý Names Mark Garland as Glendale Campus President

June 29 | Press Release

�鶹��ý Relocates Aurora Campus to Denver to Offer More Healthcare Training Programs

Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. �鶹��ý does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.
Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. �鶹��ý does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.
Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. �鶹��ý does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.
Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by �鶹��ý, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, �鶹��ý cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.
Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. �鶹��ý does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.
Virtual externships are a virtual learning experience offered through �鶹��ý’s learning management system. �鶹��ý does not guarantee placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.