Noelle Cockett, current Provost at Utah State University, will soon be the 16th president of the University.
“I’m grateful for the trust the Regents have placed in me to lead this wonderful university," Cockett said. "Together we will make USU an institution whose future is boundless and bright. Thank you for your support.”
Cockett came to USU in 1990 to teach and conduct animal science research. Now she will replace Stan Albrecht as president to become the first female president of the University. Albrecht announced his decision to retire in February after 11 years in the position.
“The new president will have my absolute full support and, gosh what a great experience that person has ahead," Albrecht said at an event Wednesday.
A 25-person committee selected and named Cockett after interviewing four finalists. The search committee was comprised of members from the Utah Board of Regents as well as USU's board of trustees, faculty, students and alumni.
Albrecht says he’s not an envious person, but right now, he’s feeling a little bit of envy.
“And I feel that because having been in that saddle for this period of time, I know something of the joys, the excitement, the opportunities that will come as that person assumes this new roll," Albrecht said.
Utah State University is the state's fourth-largest school with more than 28,000 students.