Cody Branch was born and raised in Wellsville, Utah. He is the second child of four, and the only boy in his family. Cody enjoyed sports (particularly soccer) and excelled academically in his youth. He fulfilled several leadership roles in church organizations, sports teams, community, and school. These experiences contributed to his receiving a full-ride leadership scholarship to Snow College where he served in their student government organization.
After attending Snow College for one year, Cody served a two-year service mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints in Long Beach, California. In this capacity Cody was assigned to serve the Hispanic people of Southern California and he became fluent in the Spanish language.This experience provided Cody with many opportunities to build himself as a leader and to develop lifelong professional skills from which he still benefits today.
Following his missionary service, Cody attended Brigham Young University-Idaho where he studied Sociology. During his time at BYU-Idaho he served in many leadership capacities in the Heber J. Grant Program--a program designed to provide assistance and support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. During his senior year Cody was selected to act as the student Managing Director of this program. While at BYU-Idaho Cody received both Leadership and Academic scholarships. He graduated with academic honors and was selected to speak at the convocation ceremonies for the College of Education and Human Development.
After graduating with his Bachelor's degree, Cody was hired as a Seminary Teacher for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In this capacity he taught scriptural-based religion courses to LDS youth (ages 14-18). Cody enjoys working with youth and young adults and does so very effectively.
Cody currently works as an Academic Affairs Officer at BYU-Idaho. In this capacity Cody oversees the dealings of all student academic travel (Semester Abroad programs, Academic Tours, department excursions, etc.) and also provides project management support to the Academic Vice President and Associate Academic Vice Presidents of BYU-Idaho.
Cody hopes to become an effective leader in Public Service and is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Administration through the Brigham Young University Marriott school of Management. Cody will graduate from this program in 2018.
Cody is married to his best friend, Jill, who he met in student government at Snow College. The couple just welcomed their fourth daughter into their family. Cody believes that girls are his lot in life as he was raised with only sisters, and now has only daughters. Cody will tell you that every good quality he possesses has come about because of the many influential women in his life.
