TJ Bliss
TJ Bliss, Ph.D., is a passionate, trustworthy, and effective professional with a proven record of intuitive and insightful higher education and public leadership. He fosters collaboration, fiscal responsibility, and inclusive problem solving by building deep relationships of trust to achieve outcomes, create a positive culture, and lead people toward a collective vision. In addition to… Continue Reading TJ Bliss
Angie Stallings
Angie Stallings was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education, effective October 7, 2024. She brings over two decades of experience in public education, with extensive expertise in policy, legislative affairs, and educational leadership. Before joining the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, Stallings served as Deputy Superintendent of Policy at the Utah State Board… Continue Reading Angie Stallings
Nate Talley
Nate Talley is the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Financial Officer for the Utah System of Higher Education. Prior to his tenure with USHE, Nate worked for nearly a decade in the Utah Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, ultimately serving as Deputy Budget Director and Chief Economist for Governor Cox. Nate’s budget and policy work… Continue Reading Nate Talley
Vic Hockett
Hockett oversees Talent Ready Utah, a center legislatively created to represent the voice of industry in developing short-term and long-term workforce development strategies. Talent Ready Utah is industry-facing and focuses on workforce alignment by convening government, industry, and education partners to create and expand workforce training programs, K12 pathways, certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees executed by… Continue Reading Vic Hockett
Melissa Van Hien
Melissa is the Executive Assistant to the Commissioner and Office Manager for USHE. With a background in administrative support and office management, she plays a pivotal role in advancing the state’s higher education initiatives and ensuring the smooth operation of the Commissioner’s office. Melissa has over 14 years of experience at the University of Utah, specializing… Continue Reading Melissa Van Hien
Alison A. Adams
Alison Adams is the Utah Board of Higher Education’s General Counsel. She has devoted her career to public service and has previously served as Executive Director of Utah State University’s Office of Equity, Director of the Utah Labor Commission’s Antidiscrimination and Labor Division, and Associate General Counsel for the Utah State Courts. Alison serves as… Continue Reading Alison A. Adams
Taylor K. Adams
Taylor K. Adams joined USHE from Utah State University, where she served most recently as Assistant Vice President for Statewide Campuses. For the past 10 years, in various student affairs, teaching, and administrative roles at USU, she’s led initiatives across the state of Utah to serve students in technical education and degree-granting programs. Adams currently serves on… Continue Reading Taylor K. Adams
Jefferson Moss
Jefferson Moss is The Point’s Innovation District Project Director. In this capacity, he leads USHE’s involvement in the major economic development efforts at The Point. Moss is responsible for overseeing the strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations at the Innovation District. He will work in close consultation with The Point Executive Director and Operations Director to… Continue Reading Jefferson Moss
Katie Mazzie
Katie Mazzie is a graduate of the University of Utah (MPA, BA History and Political Science) and currently serves as Assistant Commissioner for Strategic and Government Affairs at the Utah System of Higher Education, where she has the privilege of combining her passion for higher education with her expertise in strategic planning, organizational operations, governance,… Continue Reading Katie Mazzie
Brynn Fronk
Brynn is the Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education, where she efficiently organizes Board meetings and provides crucial support to the Board, Secretary to the Board, and Deputy Commissioner/COO.