USU president applications open
On July 14, Geoffrey Landward, the Utah System of Higher Education commissioner, sent an email to the Utah State University student body on behalf of the Presidential Search Committee. The committee, composed of Utah Board of Higher Education members, USU representatives and community members, announced the opening of the application for the next president of USU.
“Over the past several weeks, the USU Presidential Search Committee gathered feedback from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members through listening sessions, online comments, and anonymous submissions,” the email stated. “That input directly shaped the official job posting now included in the leadership profile and will continue to guide the committee as it evaluates nominations and applications.”
Currently, Alan L. Smith is the interim USU president. The email said the board expects to publicly name the next USU president during the 2025-26 academic year.
Matt Richey, 2024-25 USU student body president, is a member of the search committee.
“Student voice is paramount. Though there are several layers of leadership between us and the president, the decisions they make have an enormous effect on us,” Richey wrote in a message to The Utah Statesman. “Having a strong president means better programs, better strategic direction, and better life long engagement as alumni.”
Students or other stakeholders are invited to share suggestions or comments by submitting an email to usupresidentialsearch@ushe.edu or anonymously filling out the form at ushe.edu/usu-presidential-search-feedback.
Anyone interested in reviewing the presidential search timeline or the leadership profile, which outlines desired qualities in USU’s next president and the priorities they should recognize in the position, can stay updated at usu.edu/president-search.
“The Utah Board of Higher Education is seeking a dedicated leader who can lead with vision, balancing the innovation and stability, while embracing the unique role of USU to expand the reputation, visibility, and influence of the institution locally, nationally, and internationally,” the email stated. “Now that the application is open, the committee will begin reviewing materials from candidates who align with the university’s land-grant mission, statewide reach, and forward-looking goals.”