Dr. Jon Anderson serves as the eighth president of Utah Valley University, beginning August 10, 2026. A Utah native who grew up in Bluffdale, Anderson's connection to UVU began in childhood when spending time on campus sparked a lifelong belief in the power of higher education to transform lives and create opportunity.
Known for his collaborative, student-centered leadership style, President Anderson is committed to building partnerships and expanding opportunities for student success. He believes higher education should be accessible to all and is passionate about helping students gain the knowledge, skills, and support they need to achieve meaningful careers and lives of impact.
Anderson brings extensive leadership experience across public higher education. Prior to joining UVU, he served as president of Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest), provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Southern Utah University and Middle Georgia State University. He spent more than a decade at the University of West Georgia, where he served as a faculty member and held numerous leadership positions, including deputy provost, associate vice president, associate dean, accreditation liaison, and MBA director. Throughout his career, he has consistently taught undergraduate and graduate business courses, reflecting his deep commitment to student learning and academic excellence.
As a strategic leader, Anderson has successfully led institutions through challenges related to enrollment, accreditation, budgeting, workforce alignment, and long-term planning. He is recognized for combining strategic foresight with collaborative leadership, bringing people together around a shared vision and a continued focus on student outcomes.
Upon his selection as UVU's president, Anderson expressed his commitment to building on the university's legacy of opportunity. He has spoken about the transformative effect of higher education in his own life and his desire to provide the same opportunities for future generations of students. He is committed to working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners to elevate UVU's mission and impact.
Anderson earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Education in Business Education from the University of West Georgia, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Utah State University, and an associate degree from Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho). In recognition of his leadership and impact, he was named one of Pennsylvania's most influential leaders in City & State's 2024 PA Fifty Over 50.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Anderson is an avid skier and mountain biker. He and his wife, Kristy, are the parents of seven children and grandparents to eight granddaughters.
