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Utah Valley University
Provost Search

Utah Valley University (UVU) has launched the search for the provost, vice president of Academic Affairs.

APPLY FOR THE PROVOST POSITION

Role of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

As a member of the UVU president’s executive leadership team, the provost and vice president of Academic Affairs advances UVU’s mission as an integrated regional comprehensive university and community college that educates every student for success in work and life through excellence in engaged teaching, service, and scholarship.

The provost will be a visible, accessible, and trusted academic leader who values faculty expertise and meaningful shared governance. The provost will foster collaboration across the university, strengthen connections between academic programs and student success, and help UVU thoughtfully navigate emerging opportunities and challenges, including artificial intelligence technological change, workforce needs, and changing expectations for higher education, and position UVU for continued growth and impact across Utah and beyond.

Cover graphic of Provost Leadership profile.

Leadership Profile

Search Committee

The committee was selected to provide broad representation across the university, with a strong emphasis on academic areas. Many members bring multiple perspectives through their college or division, faculty appointment type, and leadership responsibilities.

The committee members are:

  • Evelyn Porter — Faculty Senate President; Professor, College of Science, Search Committee Co-chair
  • Jim Mortensen — Search Committee Co-chair
  • Sue Jackson — Dean, College of Health and Public Service (CHPS)
  • Brett Skousen — Professional in Residence, Woodbury School of Business (WSB)
  • Andrew Stone — Associate Vice President, Student Affairs
  • Abigail Brown — Integrated Studies Student, UVUSA
  • Kim Brown — Department Chair, Digital Media; Associate Professor, Smith College of Engineering and Technology (SCET)
  • Caleb Stanley — Associate Professor, School of Education (SOE)
  • Brock Jones — Department Chair, English; Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)
  • Jim Godfrey — Associate Dean, School of the Arts (SOA)
  • Katie Busby — Associate Provost, Academic Affairs
  • Wendy Simmerman — Senior Director of Workforce Alignment, Academic Affairs

Search Timeline

APPLY FOR THE PROVOST POSITION

  • October 16: Position announcement and provost profile posted; national search opens.
  • Week of November 9: Application reviews begin.
  • Week of November 16: Virtual interviews begin.
  • November 30- December 4: Finalists on site for campus forums.
  • January 2027: Goal for the new provost to begin.

Campus input gathered

Before launching the search, the committee invited the campus community to provide input on the desired competencies for the next provost. The considerations of the 400 respondents are summarized:

  • Communication: 95.4% rated it very important or essential
  • Teaching and Program Excellence: 92.9% rated it very important or essential
  • Student Learning and Success: 92.6% rated it very important or essential

Respondents also placed strong emphasis on employee support and growth, responsible resource use, and collaboration. These results helped shape the profile and will inform the committee’s evaluation of candidates.

Share Your Feedback

We welcome feedback into this process; please send your recommendations and comments to Committee Co-Chairs.

Image of the Provost Search Committee Co-Chairs: Evelyn Porter and Jim Mortensen