Kayleen Evans Named Director of Student Services at USU Southwest

Utah State University Southwest has named Kayleen Evans as the director of student services.

“Kayleen has been an indispensable member of the USU Southwest leadership team for many years,” said Nancy Glomb, associate vice president for USU Southwest. “She knows our students, staff and community members and is incredibly well poised to assume the duties of DOSS for our region.”

Evans started the role in August, after previously working as senior academic adviser for the region. She aims to proactively support rural students through their educational journeys all the way to employment, while creating more awareness of USU and the programs available to USU Southwest students.

“This new role will allow me to serve students in a different capacity,” Evans said. “I am excited about this new role and the potential it has to make a difference in this region and how it can impact student success. Collaborating with the Southwest team is rewarding as we share a focus on student success.”

Evans has been a member of the staff at USU Southwest since 2004. She began as a site coordinator at the statewide campus in Nephi, coordinating classes, student services, testing and other responsibilities. In 2013, she pivoted to be an academic adviser in the region, advising for elementary education and the Huntsman School of Business. She has seen the Southwest region blossom in her 20 years at USU, tripling in enrollment since she first started.

“I started as the center coordinator in Nephi working 30 hours a month,” Evans said. “Back then, we had 11 students.”

Evans believes this background in advising will be invaluable in her new role as director of student services. Knowing how to help students from their first year all the way to the graduation stage will be vital.

“Understanding the complexities of USU and the statewide system, along with the academic requirements for completion, leads to effective support to students,” she said. “Balancing administrative responsibilities with skills learned while advising creates a strong foundation for helping students navigate their education journey.”

Evans holds a bachelor’s degree in home economics, which she earned from Southern Utah University in 1986. After more than two decades, she returned to school to earn her master’s degree in Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences. With the experience as a non-traditional student, Evans feels she can better relate to many of the students with whom she will serve and interact.

“Returning to school as a non-traditional student enabled me to better understand the hurdles faced by our students and the systems a student uses in getting an education,” Evans said. “My favorite event of the year is graduation. Celebrating a student’s success with friends and family is incredible.”

With locations in Beaver, Bicknell, Cedar City, Delta, Ephraim, Junction, Kanab, Nephi, Panguitch, Richfield and St. George, Utah State University provides higher education access to rural communities via USU Southwest. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees and technical education opportunities, USU offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at southwest.usu.edu.