Dr. F. Wayne Vaught has been named Utah Valley University’s new provost and vice president for academic affairs, effective on June 1, 2019. Dr. Vaught will replace Dr. Jeffery E. Olson, who is retiring after a distinguished 40-year career in higher education.

Prior to his appointment at UVU, Dr. Vaught had a 21-year career at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he served as a faculty member and then dean and chief academic officer of the College of Arts and Sciences.  He oversaw 18 academic departments and 434 full and part-time faculty and staff members. Prior to UMKC, he taught at Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (merged with Drexel University), and Georgetown College in Kentucky.

"Dr. Vaught is a gifted academician and champion of higher education," said Astrid S. Tuminez, president of Utah Valley University. "His accomplishments at UMKC are impressive. He understands students, faculty, what it takes to run a university, and, most importantly, he is the right person at the right time for UVU."

UMKC faculty knew Vaught as a proponent of student success, shared governance, and community engagement. He met regularly with faculty to promote transparency, faculty engagement, and community building. He worked hard to communicate with faculty and staff regarding key issues, and intends to bring the same approach to UVU.

"I am truly honored to be invited to be part of the UVU success story," Vaught said. "The university's focus on inclusion, engaged learning, and student success caught my attention immediately, and I look forward to engaging with faculty and offering my skills and abilities toward that success."

Vaught received a doctorate in philosophy and bioethics from the University of Tennessee, and focused his research in pediatric decision-making. His research and areas of expertise are in bioethics, professional ethics, ethical issues in pediatrics, and cross-cultural conflicts in healthcare.