Utah Board of Higher Education appoints Wayne Vaught as acting president of Utah Valley University
The Utah Board of Higher Education appointed Wayne Vaught, Ph.D., to serve as acting president of Utah Valley University at its meeting today, effective May 1, 2026. The appointment comes as the Board continues the comprehensive search to identify the university’s next permanent president.
Vaught currently serves as UVU’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, a role he has held since June 2019.
“Wayne Vaught brings significant academic leadership experience and a deep understanding of Utah Valley University’s mission and students,” said Utah Board of Higher Education Chair Amanda Covington. “Wayne has previously served as acting president for UVU and has experience in this capacity. His background as a provost, dean and scholar positions him well to guide UVU during this interim period.”
In the weeks leading up to his May 1 start date, Vaught will work closely with President Tuminez as she begins delegating responsibilities to support continuity of operations and ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Prior to joining UVU, Vaught served for nearly 21 years at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, including as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2012 to 2019, where he provided academic leadership for 18 departments across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and managed the college’s operational budget. He also served as interim dean, associate dean and department chair of philosophy at UMKC, and as an assistant professor at Drexel University College of Medicine.
“Wayne Vaught is the provost and senior administrative officer at UVU,” said Scott Smith, chair of the UVU Board of Trustees. “Provost Vaught has the demonstrated experience and dedication to the university that will ensure a smooth transition and will allow him to serve well as the acting president of UVU.”
Vaught holds a Ph.D. in philosophy (bioethics) from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Baylor University and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Psychology and Religion from Georgetown College.
“We are grateful to President Astrid S. Tuminez for her leadership and service to Utah Valley University,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Geoffrey Landward. “We also appreciate Wayne Vaught’s willingness to step into this role and provide steady leadership during this transition. Vaught’s experience and commitment to the academic mission will support the university community as this work continues.”