Utah Board of Higher Education reappoints Chair Amanda Covington and selects Jon Cox as new vice chair
During its June 6, 2025, meeting, the Utah Board of Higher Education unanimously reappointed Amanda Covington to serve as chair of the Board for a second term. The Board also selected Jon Cox to serve as vice chair, succeeding Steve Neeleman, who has chosen to dedicate more time and focus on the important work of […]
Facts About Higher Education in Utah
The Utah System of Higher Education is made up of eight public degree-granting institutions and eight technical colleges located throughout the state. In the 2023-24 academic year, USHE institutions served nearly 240,000 students and awarded more than 66,000 certificates and degrees. Earning a college credential increases a person’s chances of financial stability and better overall […]
Utah State University Presidential Search Committee named
The Utah Board of Higher Education has established a nine-member committee to lead the search for the next president of Utah State University. The committee is charged with identifying exceptional candidates who will advance the university’s unique mission as Utah’s land- and space-grant institution, with a strong emphasis on student-centered education, research and community engagement. […]
Utah Board of Higher Education approves near decades-low price increases for coming year
Board continues its purposeful and proactive approach to affordability The Utah Board of Higher Education considered tuition and general student fee adjustments requested by Utah’s public colleges and universities on the second day of their two-day meeting on March 28,2025. The Board approved a sub-inflationary 2.23% systemwide weighted average increase among degree-granting institutions for the coming year. All […]
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 […]
GOEO, Legislative Leaders, and Utah Universities Collaborate with NVIDIA to Advance Tech Talent Development
SALT LAKE CITY (March 10, 2025) — The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, legislative leadership, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the president of the Senate, the Utah Department of Commerce, the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, the Utah System of Higher Education, and colleges and universities across Utah signed a memorandum of understanding […]
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 […]
Utah Board of Higher Education Names Shane B. Smeed President of Utah Tech University
The Utah Board of Higher Education has unanimously selected Shane B. Smeed as the next president of Utah Tech University on Feb. 26, 2025. With 25 years of experience in higher education, Smeed brings a wealth of leadership and expertise to the role. While transition details are still being finalized, the Board looks forward to […]
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. […]