University of Utah Presidential Search Committee members named by the Board of Regents

The Board of Regents has named a 24-member committee to conduct a national search for the next president of the University of Utah. University of Utah President David Pershing announced on May 1, 2017, that he will return to a faculty position at the conclusion of a presidential search, and will remain as president until his successor is appointed by the Board of Regents.

The search committee will be chaired by Regent Harris Simmons and the U. Board of Trustees Chair H. David Burton. It is comprised of representatives from the Board of Regents, trustees, and institutional stakeholders including faculty, staff, students, administration, alumni, and community members.

“As Utah’s flagship institution, the University of Utah is increasingly recognized nationally and internationally for its cutting-edge research and quality of educational programs. The selection of this committee has been thoughtful and deliberate, with each member having a significant connection to the institution and a strong interest in the future success of the U.,” said Daniel Campbell, Chair of the Board of Regents. “This committee will play a critical role in the search for the U’s next president, and we appreciate the willingness of these committee members to lend their expertise and time to this important process.”

The presidential search committee will hold public meetings to obtain input from members of the University of Utah community and the general public on the presidential search. (A schedule of these meetings will be released in late summer.)

Based on this feedback, the committee will approve a position announcement and call for nominations and applications. The committee will then screen applications for the position and conduct interviews with candidates. After deliberating, the committee will recommend three to five finalists to the Board of Regents.

University of Utah Presidential Search Committee

Board of Regents

  • Harris H. Simmons: Regent, Search Committee Chair
  • Daniel W. Campbell: Regent Chair
  • Patricia Jones: Regent
  • Robert S. Marquardt: Regent

University of Utah Board of Trustees

  • David Burton: Trustee Chair, Search Committee Chair
  • Zach Berger: Student Body President
  • Phil Clinger: Trustee
  • Christian Gardner: Trustee

University of Utah Administration, Faculty, Students and Staff

  • Cynthia Berg: Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Science
  • Richard Brown: Dean, College of Engineering
  • Margaret Clayton: Academic Senate President and Associate Professor in College of Nursing
  • Kathleen Cooney, MD: Chair, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine
  • Sarah George: Executive Director, Natural History Museum of Utah
  • Jeff Herring: Chief Human Resource Officer
  • Uri Loewenstein: Professor of Finance, David Eccles School of Business
  • Ana Maria Lopez: Associate VP for Equity and Inclusion, U Health Sciences
  • Jennifer McConnell: President, Utah Staff Council
  • Nicole Robinson: Assistant VP for Equity and Diversity
  • Silvia Patricia Solis: Graduate student, College of Education
  • Wes Sundquist: Chair, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine
  • Monica Vetter: Interim Associate VP for Research, U Health Sciences

Community/Alumni Representatives

  • Julie Barrett: Immediate Past President, Alumni Association
  • Lisa Eccles: President and COO, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
  • Jim Olson: President, Vivint SmartHome Arena
  • Janice Ugaki: CEO and Founder, Firmseek
Media Inquiries

Trisha Dugovic
Communications Director
801.646.4779