Utah State University Presidential Search Committee Named

Editor's note: The Utah System of Higher Education released the following news Thursday morning. This is a copy of the news release available in USHE's newsroom.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Board of Higher Education has established a nine-member committee to lead the search for the next president of Utah State University. The committee is charged with identifying exceptional candidates who will advance the university’s unique mission as Utah’s land- and space-grant institution, with a strong emphasis on student-centered education, research and community engagement.

The USU Presidential Search Committee is co-chaired by Board of Higher Education Vice Chair Steve Neeleman and USU Board of Trustees member David Huntsman. It is comprised of representatives from the Board of Higher Education, USU trustees and institutional stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, administration, alumni and community members.

“This search committee brings together a broad cross-section of voices from the Utah State community,” said Steve Neeleman, board vice chair and search committee co-chair. “We’re committed to finding a leader whose vision and values align with the spirit of Utah State and can champion its mission of learning, discovery and service for the success of all students who attend.”

David Huntsman, USU Trustee and search committee co-chair, added, “I am honored to serve the Aggie community in this capacity. This is a critical time for Utah State and we are committed to finding the best person to lead USU and position the university to meet both the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

Below is a complete list of the USU Presidential Search Committee members:

Board of Higher Education

Steve Neeleman, Board Vice Chair and Search Committee Co-Chair

Cydni Tetro, Board Member

USU Board of Trustees

David Huntsman, Trustee and Search Committee Co-Chair

Clark Whitworth, Trustee

USU Administration, Faculty and Staff

Grant Cardon, 2024-25 Faculty Senate President, Interim Dean

Bill Plate, Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Elisa Taylor, 2024-2025 Staff Association Vice President

USU Student

Matthew Richey, 2024-25 Student Body President

Community/Alumni Representative

Laurel Cannon Alder, Former USU Trustee and USU Alumni Association President

The search committee will approve a position announcement and call for nominations and applications with the assistance of AGB Search in the coming weeks.

In accordance with SB 282, Higher Education Hiring Amendments, passed during the 2025 General Legislative Session, the USU Presidential Search will be conducted with enhanced confidentiality to help attract a broader and more competitive pool of high-quality candidates. The search committee will review applications, conduct interviews and recommend three prioritized finalists to the Utah Board of Higher Education, which will make the final selection in an open and public meeting.

Opportunities for community engagement, updates, announcements and additional details will be posted at usu.edu/president-search.

Suggestions or comments regarding the search may be sent to usupresidentialsearch@ushe.edu or by submitting an anonymous comment online at ushe.edu/usu-presidential-search-feedback.