The Utah Board of Higher Education has established a nine-member committee to lead the search for the next president of Weber State University. The committee is charged with identifying exceptional candidates who will advance Weber State’s distinctive mission of access and excellence—transforming students and communities through experiential learning, meaningful connections, opportunities for research and service, and through civic engagement and partnerships that strengthen northern Utah.
Utah Board of Higher Education member Javier Chavez Jr. and Weber State University Trustee Ally Isom will co-chair the Weber State Presidential Search Committee. The committee brings together voices from across the Weber State community, including representatives of the Board of Higher Education, WSU’s Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, administration and community leaders.
“Javier Chavez Jr.’s deep community ties and understanding of Weber State’s role as a driver of opportunity and economic growth in northern Utah make him an invaluable leader, alongside the exceptional Ally Isom, as co-chairs for this process,” said Amanda Covington, chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education. “Together, their leadership, paired with the committee’s experience and insight, will ensure the presidential search reflects the voices and values that define Weber State and results in the selection of its next outstanding president.”
Below is a complete list of the Weber State University Presidential Search Committee members:
| Board of Higher Education | |
| Javier Chavez Jr. | Board member and Search Committee Co-Chair |
| Jodi Hart | Board member |
| WSU Board of Trustees | |
| Ally Isom | Trustee and Search Committee Co-Chair |
| Tammy Gallegos | Trustee |
| WSU Administration, Faculty and Staff | |
| Jason Francis | Faculty Senate Chair |
| Marc Gangwer | Staff Association Chair and Director of Financial Aid |
| Mark Halverson | VP for Administrative Services |
| WSU Student | |
| Mia Foster | Student Association President |
| Community/Alumni Representative | |
| Steve Starks | CEO and Board of Directors member at the Larry H. Miller Company, WSU Alumni |
“This is an important moment for Weber State, and I’m confident the committee will identify a president who builds on the university’s strong foundation and continues its tradition of excellence,” said Keith Titus, chair of the Weber State University Board of Trustees. “We appreciate the dedication of each committee member and their commitment to finding a leader who will serve Weber State, the region and the system with vision and integrity.”
The search committee will next approve a position announcement and issue a call for nominations and applications with the assistance of a professional search firm in the coming weeks.
In accordance with SB 282, Higher Education Hiring Amendments, passed during the 2025 General Legislative Session, the Weber State Presidential Search will be conducted with enhanced confidentiality to attract a broad and competitive pool of highly qualified candidates. The committee will review applications, conduct interviews and recommend three prioritized finalists to the Utah Board of Higher Education, which will make the final selection in an open and public meeting.
Opportunities for community engagement, updates and announcements will be posted at weber.edu/presidentialsearch.
Suggestions or comments regarding the search may be sent to wsupresidentialsearch@ushe.edu
or submitted anonymously at ushe.edu/2025-wsu-presidential-search-feedback.