Park University President Shane Smeed Appointed President at Utah Tech University

On Feb. 26, Park University President Shane Smeed was announced by the Utah Board of Higher Education as the 19th president of Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah. No start date has been determined by the UBHE.

A news release from Utah Tech can be found at news.utahtech.edu/2025/02/26/president.

Below is a letter penned by Terry Calaway, Ed.D., chair of Park University’s Board of Trustees, to Park students, faculty and staff immediately following Utah Tech’s announcement.

The Utah Board of Higher Education announced this evening (Feb. 26) the appointment of Park University President Shane Smeed as the next president of Utah Tech University. No start date has been determined.

On behalf of the Park University Board of Trustees, I extend our gratitude to President Smeed for his leadership of Park since November 2020 and his service to the University since September 2015, and wish him success in this new opportunity.

President Smeed’s departure comes at a time when Park University is actively advancing key initiatives, including the Student Success and Enrollment Growth Plan, a comprehensive strategic planning process (Vision 2030) and a concerted effort to strengthen shared governance under the Shared Governance Commission. These efforts have been carefully designed and are led by key institutional leaders to ensure the initiatives can continue apace, allowing us to keep the institution steady and continue planning for a strong and stable future.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees will make President Smeed’s transition the primary agenda item of its March 6 meeting. We will share more information as it becomes available.

Thank you for your dedication to Park University during this period of transition.

Terry Calaway, Ed.D
Chair
Park University Board of Trustees