2025 Legislative Update — Week 7
March 3-7, 2025 The 2025 legislative session ended on Friday, March 7, at midnight. Governor Cox held an end-of-session press conference that night, and here’s the recap of the full session from FOX 13 News. At the time of this update, Gov. Cox has signed 29 pieces of legislation from the 2025 General Legislative Session. Information […]
2025 Legislative Update — Week 6
Feb. 24 – 28, 2025 On Friday, Feb. 28, the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC) took action to adopt proposed funding items and intent language for the 2025 General Session budget. From the Utah Board of Higher Education’s list of operating budget priorities, EAC recommendations included $20 million in new ongoing performance funding, $4.7 million in ongoing technical college growth funding, and $4 million in […]
Utah’s higher education system: A catalyst for individual and societal success
Utah’s investment in higher education pays significant dividends, according to a new policy brief from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The report highlights the state’s exceptionally well-trained workforce, robust economic performance and strong social fabric, all directly linked to a long-standing educational commitment. This emphasis on higher education extends far beyond the economic impacts, contributing […]
2025 Legislative Update — Week 5
Feb. 18 – 21, 2025 Executive Appropriations Committee On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC) heard presentations from the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee (HEAS) and Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee (TIAS). HEAS recommendations to EAC included: In sum, roughly $54 million in new one-time funding and nearly $35 million of new ongoing funding was recommended by HEAS for USHE priority funding items. […]
2025 Legislative Update — Week 4
Feb. 10 – 14, 2025 Appropriations Subcommittees In the final week of Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee meetings, HEAS heard institutional presentations from Utah Valley University and Weber State University, a demographic and enrollment report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, and legislator-sponsored requests for appropriations for Vineyard Cancer Screening Resources (Rep. V. Peterson) and the Herbert Institute (Rep. Abbott).Subcommittee prioritization and voting took place in […]
Three finalists named in Utah Tech presidential search
Public meetings with finalists Feb. 24; presidential appointment expected Feb. 26 After a comprehensive search, the Utah Tech Presidential Search Committee has recommended three finalists to the Utah Board of Higher Education for the position of Utah Tech University president: Philip A. Cavalier, Steven J. Hafen and Shane B. Smeed. “After an extensive and thorough […]
Higher Ed Day on the Hill
It was great to see so many students, educators, and lawmakers come together for Higher Ed Day on the Hill! Thank you to all the institutions and individuals who joined us in supporting the future of higher education in Utah.
2025 Legislative Update — Week 3
February 3 – 7, 2025 Appropriations Subcommittees On Monday, February 3, the Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee heard a bonding request from the University of Utah for the Huntsman Cancer Institute Vineyard Comprehensive Cancer Center. Utah State University also presented its Utah Board of Higher Education-approved capital budget request for its Math, AI, Data & Analytics Center and a bonding request for a […]
2025 Legislative Update — Week 2
January 27 – January 31, 2025 Appropriations Subcommittees The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee (HEAS) began hearing presentations on Monday, January 27, from USHE’s Talent Ready Utah, which included an overview from Representative Val Peterson about HB 260, First Credential Program. Institutional presentations during week two at HEAS included Bridgerland Technical College, Ogden-Weber Technical College, Salt Lake Community College, Snow College, Southern Utah University, the University of Utah, Utah State […]
Utah Commissioner of Higher Ed names Mark Cain as my529 executive director
Commissioner of Higher Education Geoffrey Landward appointed Mark M. Cain as the next executive director of my529, Utah’s educational savings plan, following the announcement of Richard K. Ellis to retire effective April 1, 2025. Cain is currently Deputy Executive Director for Utah Retirement Systems (URS), where he has been involved in all aspects of operations, […]
