Utah Board of Higher Education Meeting
: October 30, 2025
Utah Board of Higher Education Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 30
10 a.m.
Committee of the Whole
- USU Leadership
Projected times for the various meetings are estimates only. The Board Chair retains the right to take action at any time. To ensure availability, individuals needing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) for this meeting or the materials should notify Brynn Fronk at brynn.fronk@ushe.edu, 60 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84180 (801-646-4784), at least three working days prior to the meeting.
Utah Board of Higher Education
Utah State University
Thursday, October 30, 2025
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
Board Members Present
Amanda Covington, Chair
Jon Cox, Vice Chair
Javier Chavez Jr.
Jeremy Hafen
Jodi Hart
Danny Ipson
Garrett Largent
Steve Neeleman
Cydni Tetro
Board Members Absent
Aaron Skonnard
Office of the Commissioner
Geoffrey Landward, Commissioner of Higher Education
Alison Adams, General Counsel and Secretary to the Utah Board of Higher Education
Taylor Adams, Associate Commissioner of Student Affairs
Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education
Katie Mazzie, Director of Student-Centered Initiatives
Hilary Renshaw, Associate General Counsel
Melissa Van Hien, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner and Office Manager
Utah State University Board of Trustees
Tessa White, Chair
David Huntsman
Utah State University’s New President
Brad Mortensen
Others
Utah State University Community
Chair Covington delegated the authority to call the meeting to order to Utah State University Board of Trustees Chair Tessa White, and Chair White called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
Committee of the Whole
Board of Trustees Chair White welcomed those in attendance and turned the meeting over to Board Chair Covington. Chair Covington provided comments, followed by remarks from Utah State University Trustee David Huntsman. Board member Neeleman moved to appoint as the next president of Utah State University Brad L. Mortensen. Vice Chair Cox seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed. Chair Covington introduced President Mortensen, who then addressed the attendees. Chair Covington then announced that President Mortensen’s start date would be November 10, 2025, and invited guests to join the welcome events planned for the following week.
Board member Ipson moved to adjourn. Board member Hafen seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
Alison A. Adams, Secretary
Date Approved: November 20, 2025