USU Announces Retirement of Vice President & Chief of Staff to the Provost Janet B. Anderson

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University has announced the retirement of Janet B. Anderson, concluding a distinguished career spanning more than four decades of service in higher education, academic leadership, teaching, research and public engagement.

Anderson currently serves as vice president and chief of staff to the provost, providing senior leadership and strategic coordination in support of the university’s academic mission. Prior to this role, she served as senior vice provost and senior associate vice president, with primary responsibility for undergraduate student success and retention.

In her senior administrative roles, Anderson oversaw key student success units, including University and Exploratory Advising, the Career Design Center, Student Orientation and Transition Services, and the Office of Academic Belonging and Learning Excellence. She also chaired the Student Achievement Collaborative, a cross-institutional group of student success professionals working together to advance data-informed initiatives focused on retention, completion and the removal of barriers to student success.

“I have always believed that higher education changes lives — not just for students, but for their families and communities,” Anderson said. “When students feel a sense of belonging in the classroom and know that faculty and staff truly care about their success, they persist, they thrive and they graduate. Supporting that experience has been the most meaningful work of my career.”

Prior to her central administrative appointments, Anderson served for five years as academic associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. She also recently concluded a 28-year teaching career in the dietetics program, where she earned the rank of professional practice professor in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences. Her achievements were further recognized with her designation as a distinguished professor in the College of Agriculture.

A widely respected educator, Anderson received numerous teaching honors throughout her career, including the Eldon J. Gardner Teacher of the Year Award — Utah State University’s highest teaching recognition — and the USDA Food and Agriculture Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award.

As a registered dietitian, Anderson’s professional expertise focused on food service management and food safety. Her nationally recognized consumer food safety research made significant contributions to the field and was published in leading peer-reviewed journals. Her work also resulted in extensive national and international media coverage, reaching millions through print, radio and television.

“Janet has had a remarkably successful USU career,” said Larry Smith, provost of Utah State University. “She made significant contributions to her field of nutrition in the classroom and the profession, earning her USU's premier teaching award. In the next chapter of her career, she channeled her passion for higher education in leadership and administration roles. She made huge impacts on student support and success in many ways, especially incorporating best practices in student advising. She served tirelessly in the provost's office to constantly improve student-facing elements of the USU academic enterprise. USU owes her a giant debt of gratitude for her many outstanding achievements and unwavering dedication to higher education. Janet's energy and her passion and example for doing the right thing will be greatly missed.”

A reception honoring Anderson will be from 3:30-5 p.m. June 11 in the garden of the David B. Haight Center at Utah State University. All are welcome to attend. Guests are also invited to share memories and messages for Janet at the event or via this link.