Utah Board of Higher Education Meeting
: July 17, 2026
Utah Board of Higher Education Meeting
Utah Valley University
Noorda Center for the Performing Arts
800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058
Friday, July 17
10 a.m.
Committee of the Whole
- Utah Valley University 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 Valley University
Friday, July 17, 2026
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MINUTES
Board Members Present
Amanda Covington, Chair
Jon Cox, Vice Chair
Javier Chavez Jr.
Jeremy Hafen
Danny Ipson
Garrett Largent
Steve Neeleman
Aaron Skonnard
Cydni Tetro
Board Members Absent
Jodi Hart
Office of the Commissioner
Geoffrey Landward, Commissioner
Alison Adams, General Counsel and Secretary of the Board
Taylor Adams, Associate Commissioner of Student Affairs
Trevor Cross, Systems Administrator
Katie Mazzie, Associate Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives, Community and Government Relations
Natalie Reidhead, Administrative Assistant
Melissa Van Hien, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner
Utah Valley University Board of Trustees
Scott Smith, Chair
Shauna Smith
Utah Valley University’s New President
Jon Anderson
Others
Utah Valley University Community
Chair Covington delegated the authority to call the meeting to order to Utah Valley University Board of Trustees Chair Scott Smith, and Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
Committee of the Whole
Board of Trustees Chair Smith welcomed attendees, followed by remarks from Board member Aaron Skonnard, UVU Trustee Shauna Smith, and Chair Covington.
Board member Skonnard moved to appoint Jon Anderson as the next president of Utah Valley University. Board member Hafen seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Chair Covington introduced President Anderson, who then addressed the attendees. Chair Covington announced that President Anderson’s start date will be August 10, 2026.
Board member Neeleman moved to adjourn. Board member Chavez Jr. seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 10:26 a.m. a.m.
Alison A. Adams, Secretary
Date Approved: September 9, 2026