Ruth Watkins who will become the first female president of the University of Utah has earned a reputation of being personable, collaborative and determined and is hoping to take advantage of being a relative newcomer to the state to improve the university.
Watkins is set to begin her first day as president on April 2 after she was selected by the Utah Board of Regents earlier this month.
Watkins joined university as a senior vice president over academic affairs in 2013. She previously worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for 20 years, rising from an associated professor to a dean.
Watkins says she is looking to increase access to degree programs and find ways to help more students complete their degrees.
