Marko Mijic entered the University of Utah with a desire to help others and serve his community. As a freshman, he believed he would accomplish this by attending medical school and becoming a physician, but his experiences with the Hinckley Institute steered him in a different direction and helped him determine that he was best suited for a career in public policy.

During his time at the U, Mijic completed a Washington D.C. internship with the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

My internship…paved the way for a career in public policy, it also gave me unique insights into the policy development and implementation process. More importantly, my time at federal HHS introduced me to mentors who would go on to shape my career in unexpected and profound ways.

In addition to his DC internship, Mijic also worked as a student staff member at the Hinckley Institute and was the recipient of two prestigious scholarships through the Hinckley Institute  - the Scott. M. Matheson Leadership Scholarship and the John and Anne Hinckley Scholarship. The Matheson Scholarship proved to be particularly impactful for Mijic.

Receiving the Scott M. Matheson Leadership Scholarship was the highlight of my experience with the Hinckley Institute of Politics. It gave me the opportunity to get to know Mrs. Norma Matheson who stayed in touch with me for years after sending notes of encouragement for major personal milestones. Mrs. Matheson was an extraordinary person who deeply cared about the students who received the scholarship. It is an honor to be in public service today and to be able to keep her and Governor Matheson’s legacy alive.

Mijic graduated from the U in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science and Health. Today, Mijic serves as the Undersecretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency. He works on transformational policies and programs that focus on improving the health and wellbeing of all Californians, but especially those who have been historically marginalized. Mijic loves his work and is grateful to the Hinckley Institute for setting him on the right path.

I can say without a doubt that I would not be where I am today had I not had the opportunity to benefit from the Hinckley Institute of Politics.  As a first-generation college student and an immigrant, I did not have the opportunities that my peers had, but the Hinckley Institute opened new doors for me that put me on an equal playing field. 

I gained lifelong friends through the Hinckley Institute. Individuals with whom I may disagree with politically, but whom I admire and respect immensely on a personal level. The Hinckley Institute taught me that we can come from different backgrounds and experiences, yet we can come together to break bread to gain better insights into what shapes our views and thinking, allowing us to form friendships and bonds on the things that unite us, not the things that divide us.