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ST. GEORGE — Utah Tech University President Richard "Biff" Williams announced Thursday that he will step down next month to pursue other opportunities after 10 years at the school.
Williams will resign effective Jan. 5, 2024, after which current Associate Vice President of Executive Affairs and Chief of Staff Courtney White will serve as interim president, pending approval from the Board of Trustees.
"I am beyond grateful for my tenure at Utah Tech," Williams said in a news release. "What we have built, experienced and accomplished together is nothing short of remarkable. Our collective success is a testament to what a group of people with passion, skill and purpose can achieve."
Williams started at Utah Tech University in 2014. His tenure as president has seen the addition of over 200 academic programs and the advent of the school's first graduate degrees. During his time at the helm, enrollment grew by 42% and scholarship funding by 90%, according to the news release. He also led the school during its renaming from Dixie State University to Utah Tech University.
"President Williams has overseen one of the most successful, impactful and unprecedented eras of growth of any institution of higher learning in the nation," said Tiffany Wilson, chairwoman of the Board of Trustees. "His leadership and vision will be tremendously missed, but he will always be remembered as the ultimate Trailblazer."
Williams is interviewing for other administrative positions at higher education institutions, according to the news release. The Utah Board of Higher Education will be tasked with selecting the university's next president.
This story may be updated.
