Women now lead half of the eight public colleges and universities within the Utah System of Higher Education, a percentage higher than the national average of female presidents of higher ed institutions.
This achievement was made in March after it was announced that Microsoft executive Astrid Tuminez was appointed as Utah Valley University’s new president. She began her first day on Monday.
The other female leaders include Dr. Ruth Watkins, who was just inaugurated as the first female president of the University of Utah; Dr. Noelle E. Cockett, president of Utah State University and Dr. Deneece G. Huftalin, president of Salt Lake Community College, Deseret News Utah reported.
Dr. Susan Madsen, the Orin R. Woodbury professor of Leadership and Ethics at Utah Valley State University, said the rise in female leadership at Utah institutions will help students and young women wanting to be a leader in education see that it is possible.
Monica Levitan can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow her on Twitter @monlevy_.