1977 ~ 2026
Monica Campbell
1977–2026
Monica Campbell lived her life in art and beauty, intellect and hard work, compassion and love, fun and laughter. Dance was her deepest passion, beginning with her first class at age four and remaining central throughout her life.
Monica earned a coveted spot on the dance team at Cottonwood High School before transferring to Hillcrest High School in her senior year to better position herself to pursue dance professionally. She graduated in 1995, earning recognition as the Utah Sterling Scholar for Dance—a hint of the powerhouse career to come. She went on to earn a BFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah, after which she traded Salt Lake City for the international stage.
For eight years, Monica was an integral member of Diavolo: Architecture in Motion. As a featured performer, Rehearsal Director, and Associate Artistic Director, she toured the world, defying gravity and building deep friendships that lasted a lifetime.
When she was ready to hang up her touring shoes, Monica returned to the University of Utah to earn an MFA in Modern Dance. In 2009, she brought her unique drive and talents to Utah Valley University, where she proudly served as a tenured Associate Professor and eventually as Chair of the Department of Dance. Monica was a mentor and inspiration to peers and students alike. Whether she was winning the Rocky Mountain Choreography Festival, premiering Fluid Infinities at the Hollywood Bowl, or being named the 2021 Outstanding Educator in the School of the Arts, Monica led with intelligence and a relentless work ethic.
Even as a tenured professor, she remained a student at heart—taking a sabbatical in 2024 to study hip hop and street dance at Rennie Harris University, proving you’re never too accomplished to learn a new groove.
Monica’s heart was as big as her résumé. She was a fierce advocate for art and artists, animal welfare, social justice, and peace studies, even traveling to Northern Ireland as an Ethics Center Faculty Fellow. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Monica was devoted to fun: enjoying live music and comedy, going out dancing with friends, binge-watching cheesy movies, loudly and confidently singing the wrong lyrics to songs, and consuming true crime content (“stay sexy and don’t get murdered!”). She also delighted in surrounding herself with skeleton-themed décor in her home and wardrobe.
She was a proud performer and patron of burlesque, most notably lighting up the stage with Salt Lake’s own Slippery Kittens, with whom she competed in Season 3 of America’s Got Talent.
In June 2025, when Monica learned that her cancer had returned, she did not retreat. Instead, she made the conscious decision to aggressively pursue joy. This mission led her on a whirlwind of adventures in her final months—traveling, seeing incredible shows, and spending meaningful time with loved ones. True to form, she became an instant favorite among her medical teams, charming them with thoughtful gifts, brightening their days with her wit, and occasionally stunning them with an inordinate (yet highly effective) number of well-placed expletives. She continued to make the world a better place, supported by her “army of high-vibers” cheering her on.
Although her family is scattered across the globe, the Campbell family maintains a close and constant connection through daily calls, video chats, and frequent visits—a bond that defies time zones.
Monica is survived by her parents, James and Beverly; her brother, Michael (Cortney), and their children, Violet and EJ; her sister, Manuela (Chris); her lifelong best friend and newly married wife, Jamie; and her beloved pets, Draco and Malachai.
Monica taught us that you can be a world-class artist, a tenured academic, and a social justice warrior—all while having a really, really good time. She leaves behind a legacy of hard work, deep laughter, and a community of friends, family, colleagues, and students who will continue to “high-vibe” in her honor.
A celebration of Monica’s life will be held on Saturday, May 23, with time and location to be announced. Please follow Monica’s Facebook or Instagram accounts for updated information.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Monica’s name to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary or to the Monica Campbell Memorial Scholarship through Utah Valley University.