In a press release Tuesday, the Utah Board of Higher Education announced the formation of a nine-member presidential search committee.

“The committee is charged with identifying exceptional candidates who will advance Weber State’s distinctive mission of access and excellence — transforming students and communities through experiential learning, meaningful connections, opportunities for research and service, and through civic engagement and partnerships that strengthen northern Utah,” the release said. “Utah Board of Higher Education member Javier Chavez Jr. and Weber State University Trustee Ally Isom will co-chair the Weber State Presidential Search Committee. The committee brings together voices from across the Weber State community, including representatives of the Board of Higher Education, WSU’s Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, administration and community leaders.”

According to the release, the full committee is as follows:

• Javier Chavez Jr. — Utah Board of Higher Education member and Search Committee Co-Chair
• Jodi Hart — Utah Board of Higher Education member
• Ally Isom — WSU Board of Trustees member and Search Committee Co-Chair
• Tammy Gallegos — WSU Board of Trustees member
• Jason Francis — WSU Faculty Senate Chair
• Marc Gangwer — WSU Staff Association Chair and Director of Financial Aid
• Mark Halverson — VP for Administrative Services
• Mia Foster — WSU Student Association President
• Steve Starks — CEO and Board of Directors member at the Larry H. Miller Company and WSU Alumni

“The search committee will next approve a position announcement and issue a call for nominations and applications with the assistance of a professional search firm in the coming weeks,” the release added.

The search for a new president came after President Brad Mortensen was announced as the new president of Utah State University at the end of October. Mortensen’s last day at WSU was Nov. 10. Leslie Durham is serving as WSU’s interim president.

WSU Interim Public Relations Director Rachel Badali told the Standard-Examiner earlier this month that the process of finding a new president could take several months.

The Utah Board of Higher Education also announced in the press release that a website has been created for the public to keep up with the process of finding a new president and is encouraging suggestions or comments regarding the search be sent to wsupresidentialsearch@ushe.edu or submitted anonymously at ushe.edu/2025-wsu-presidential-search-feedback.

To keep up with the selection process, visit https://www.weber.edu/presidentialsearch.