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. […]
Data Narrative: Student Transfers — Strategy or Frustration
Eighty percent of community college students intend to earn a bachelor’s degree (Crisp and Nunez 2014; Jabbar et al. 2021; Handel and Strempel 2018), but only 37% of these students transfer from their original higher education institution (Kintzer and Wattenbarger 1985; McCormick and Carroll 2003; Shapiro et al. 2018). Only 42% of these students do […]
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.
Utah Board of Higher Education appoints Alan L. Smith as interim president of Utah State University
The Utah Board of Higher Education appointed Alan L. Smith, Ph.D., as interim president of Utah State University in a public meeting on February 12, 2025, and announced it will launch a comprehensive search for the next president. Incoming Interim President Smith has been with USU since 2021 and currently serves as dean of the […]
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 […]
Utah Board of Higher Education Statement on USU President Cantwell
The Utah Board of Higher Education released the following statement on February 6, 2025, regarding USU President Elizabeth Cantwell: “Utah State University President Elizabeth R. Cantwell has accepted another position as the 12th president of Washington State University (WSU). While the details are still being finalized, we expect that she will wrap up her time at USU in […]
