The Utah Board of Higher Education announced Thursday, Oct. 30 that Brad Mortensen, current president of Weber State University in Ogden, will take over as Utah State University’s next president.
Mortensen’s selection marks the first time Utah has chosen a university president without publicly releasing the names or backgrounds of any finalists.
The change follows a new state law that makes the entire process private, a move lawmakers said would attract more top-tier candidates.
Speaking at his appointment, Mortensen said he felt bad his Weber State family had not known about his career change ahead of time.
“But I want them to know of my appreciation and admiration for them," Mortensen said. "There was only one opportunity that would have ever convinced me to trade in my purple.”
That’s because Mortensen’s appointment will return him to his alma mater — he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from USU in 1995.
“I can’t even say it’s fulfilling a dream because it’s beyond any dream," Mortensen said. "For a first generation college graduate to become the president at their alma mater is truly just an unbelievable moment for me.”
Mortensen also completed a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah.
Mortensen is a familiar face in Utah’s higher education system. He’s spent more than two decades at Weber State and has led the school since 2019.
During Mortensen's tenure, Amanda Covington, chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education, said he focused on keeping college affordable through moves including a tuition freeze for two-year programs and the launch of Utah’s first accelerated bachelor’s degrees.
“Under his leadership, Weber State earned multiple recognitions for outstanding return on investment for graduates," Covington said.
He’ll be stepping into a tough assignment. The university is facing more than $12 million in state-mandated budget cuts and ongoing scrutiny over financial oversight and leadership turnover.
USU’s last president, Elizabeth Cantwell, resigned earlier this year after less than two years on the job. Her departure came amid controversy surrounding the university’s financial management, including concerns about spending within the athletics department.
Mortensen officially begins Nov. 10, and the higher education board will now begin the search for his replacement at Weber State.