Noelle Cockett resigns
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information is released.
Utah State University President Noelle Cockett announced on Tuesday that she will step down as president on July 1, 2023.
“As I conclude my sixth year as president and my 32nd year at Utah State University, I’ve reflected on how I can continue to serve and support the institution I love so much,” Cockett said in a letter emailed to faculty and staff on Tuesday. “This reflection has led me to announce that I’m stepping down as president on July 1, 2023. That timeframe will allow USU to conduct a national search for its next president. It is my great honor to know this transition to a new leader is occurring at a time when USU is solidly on its trajectory to greatness, which will ensure that the pool of applicants will be deep.”
Noelle Cockett sent this email to faculty and staff on Tuesday morning, announcing her resignation.
According to a press release from the university, the Utah Board of Higher Education will begin a national search for the next president immediately. More information will be provided when available.
Cockett’s resignation comes during a semester of other leadership changes, including the departure of James Morales as the vice president for Student Affairs and John Hartwell as athletics director.
According to the university’s bio-sketch of Cockett, she was appointed as USU’s 16th president in 2016 and began her tenure in 2017.
Before she was appointed as president, she served as executive vice president and provost, vice president for extension, dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences and director of the Utah Agriculture Experiment Station. She began work at USU in 1990 as an assistant professor in the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences.
Under the leadership of Cockett, the university announced the framework for a new strategic plan in October, called Aggie Action 2028. According to the strategic plan process, the plan will be presented to the USU Board of Trustees by December.
“I am proud of the newly developed Aggie Action 2028 strategic plan, and I am confident it will be an important tool for guiding the new president and the institution in the coming years,” Cockett said in the email. “The recently launched Create Your Aggie Impact fundraising campaign will ensure that philanthropy plays a critical role in supporting the success of the strategic plan.”
According to the press release, under Cockett’s presidency, USU was appointed an R1 research institution by Carnegie, obtained funding for a college of veterinary medicine, established the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air and created a Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, hiring Jane Irungu as its inaugural vice president. Student completion of certificates and degrees increased by 16%.
Cockett will continue as a tenured faculty member at USU after stepping down.
— darcy.ritchie@usu.edu