Noelle Cockett delivers final State of the University address
Utah State University President Noelle Cockett delivered her final State of the University address on March 27 in the Eccles Conference Center Auditorium.
Bill Plate, vice president of marketing and communications at USU, introduced Cockett before her address.
Plate touched on some of the accomplishments the people of USU saw during Cockett’s time as university president.
“Her attention to student success has allowed for many accomplishments — including welcoming the university’s largest first year class despite daunting admission trends for universities across the nation,” Plate said. “Under president Cockett’s leadership, USU also saw a 60% increase in student completion certificates and degrees.”
During the address, Cockett said she has loved her time as USU president.
Cockett spoke on the current state of the university, various achievements USU has reached during the 2022-2023 year and future goals and plans for the university.
According to Cockett, USU had the largest incoming class they’ve ever had this past fall.
There was a 1.9% increase in total student enrollment, and a 16.3% increase in enrollment of first-generation college students.
“One of the things that we’ve really been focusing on is to bring college to people and families who did not have that in their history,” Cockett said at the event.
Cockett touched on how USU has moved up in research rankings when compared to other land-grant universities.
“It’s a point of pride that all of us can have in our research program here at Utah State,” she said.
Another 2022-2023 highlight Cockett spoke on is the formal partnership USU formed with Fort Valley State University.
FVSU is a public land-grant historically Black university in Fort Valley, Georgia.
Cockett said they selected FVSU for the partnership because of the FVSU president’s connection to USU.
According to Cockett, Paul Jones, the FVSU president, and his wife, Sylvia, are both USU alumni who came to Logan in the ‘80’s.
“This idea of partnering with people who know Utah State and who have lived here in Cache Valley is just an incredible opportunity,” Cockett said.
USU and FVSU signed a five-year agreement to facilitate research collaboration, develop education programs and collaborate student trainings and staff and faculty exchanges.
Another accomplishment mentioned by Cockett was the USU Moab campus ribbon cutting.
“We are there providing education, extension and research to that community,” Cockett said.
USU’s Moab campus is the first combustion-free, net-zero building at USU.
Additionally, Cockett spoke on the board of trustees approving the Heravi Peace Institute. This institute promotes direct, structural and cultural peace.
During the last year, USU had the largest fundraising year they’ve ever had — raising $110 million.
According to Cockett, they also had an excellent year with athletics accomplishments.
USU had 191 scholar-athlete honors, which is the highest in the Mountain West Conference.
The USU men’s cross-country team placed 26th at NCAA conference, the women’s volleyball team won the title of Mountain West Conference champions, the USU-Eastern’s women’s volleyball team were the Scenic West Conference champions, and the men’s basketball team received an at-large NCAA tournament bid.
In addition to athletic student successes, Cockett spoke on many items that occurred during the year which contributed to academic student successes.
Cockett said the number of students in exploratory majors was reduced, the system for first-generation students – Aggie First Scholars – was established, peer-to-peer academic coaching increased, and the career design center was redesigned.
A year ago, a strategic university action plan, Aggie Action Plan, was created under the direction of Cockett.
This plan includes a specific mission, vision and strategic direction statement regarding the overall goals of the university.
Cockett said the Aggie Action Plan committee is going to determine where to allocate certain university funds, based on the action plan, through the next round of budget hearings.
This plan is a “fantastic road map for USU in the coming years,” Cockett said.
Cockett announced her resignation as university president in November 2022.
In a press release sent to all USU faculty, staff and students, she said she would be stepping down on July 1, 2023.
“That timeframe will allow USU to conduct a national search for its next president,” Cockett wrote.
Cockett will continue to serve students at USU as she will work under the department of veterinary sciences.
“President Cockett has been a visionary leader, setting a strategic course for growth, stability and fulfillment that will carry us into the future. Her tenure will continue to have an impact long after she leaves her post,” Plate said.
-Kate.Stewart@usu.edu
Featured photo by Heidi Bingham