Kris Winter Named USU Senior Vice President of Undergraduate Affairs

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University has announced that Kris Winter as the university’s first ever senior vice president of undergraduate affairs. Winter will officially join USU on Aug. 11.

“I couldn’t be happier that Dr. Kris Winter is USU’s first senior vice president of undergraduate affairs,” said Laurens (Larry) H. Smith, provost and executive vice president. “She is immensely qualified and has terrific leadership experience. Our major student units will benefit from Kris’ passion for students, innovation and devotion to quality. Kris will be an extraordinary advocate for USU students and will ensure they have the best possible experience during their USU life cycle.”

Winter has worked in higher education for over 20 years. She is currently the associate vice president for Student Life at the University of Oregon. Winter joined UO in 2016, serving in several roles including dean of students and interim vice president for student life. She is excited to join the USU community.

“USU is clearly a very special place, and I am honored to be joining this vibrant and prestigious institution,” Winter said. “It was very apparent to me during my visit to campus that this is a community that deeply values the student experience, is rooted in collegial collaboration, and is balanced in honoring the past while not being afraid to change towards the future.”

During her time at the UO, Winter led countless efforts and programs to support the success, health, safety and well-being of students. She engaged in supporting students at every juncture of their experience, from first enrollment through graduation. She has also shown commitment to improving employee experience by creating a transparent and affirming work culture.

Winter is an alum of UO, graduating with a bachelor’s degree with honors in educational studies in 1998. She would go on to earn a master’s degree in college student services administration from Oregon State University in 2001 and a doctorate in educational leadership from Portland State University in 2021. Her dissertation is on the impacts of nontraditional admissions criteria on the admittance and retention of academically at-risk student populations.

She got her start in higher education at UO, working for one year as the director of New Student Orientation in 1998. She held jobs at Western Washington University and Oregon State University, working in various positions in student affairs. In all her positions, Winter has shown a passion for working with students, creating a positive student experience, and advocating for college student basic need support while removing barriers that impede student success.

“I am excited to work with colleagues across the state to continue increasing enrollment, delivering student-centered experiences, and supporting all learners as they strive to reach their goals,” she said.

In addition to her job duties, Winter also served as the co-chair of the UO threat assessment team, as well as being an active member of the Incident Management Team and Demonstration & Protest Response Team. Kris is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, the National Orientation Directors Association, and the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals.

In her free time, she likes to travel with her family and take her dog on outdoor adventures.