- Wayne Vaught was named interim president of Utah Valley University on Tuesday.
- He succeeds Astrid Tuminez, who steps down May 1 after nearly seven years.
- Vaught, UVU's provost since 2019, will work to oversee a smooth leadership transition as the university searches for its next president.
OREM — The Utah Board of Higher Education on Tuesday named Wayne Vaught as interim president of Utah Valley University amid the search for the university's next permanent president.
Vaught currently serves as UVU's provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, a role he has held since June 2019.
"Wayne Vaught brings significant academic leadership experience and a deep understanding of Utah Valley University's mission and students," Utah Board of Higher Education Chair Amanda Covington said in a statement. "Wayne has previously served as acting president for UVU and has experience in this capacity. His background as a provost, dean and scholar positions him well to guide UVU during this interim period."
Vaught's appointment to interim president follows Astrid Tuminez's January announcement that she would step down from her role as president after nearly seven years at the helm of Utah's largest university.
Tuminez's resignation and Vaught's official appointment will both take effect on May 1.
In the weeks leading up to that date, Vaught will work alongside Tuminez as she begins to delegate responsibilities to maintain operational continuity and ensure a smooth leadership transition, according to the university.
Before joining UVU in 2019, Vaught spent over two decades at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, including as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2012 to 2019. He also served as interim dean, associate dean and department chair of philosophy at the university, and as an assistant professor at Drexel University College of Medicine.
"We are grateful to President Astrid S. Tuminez for her leadership and service to Utah Valley University," Commissioner of Higher Education Geoffrey Landward said in a statement. "We also appreciate Wayne Vaught's willingness to step into this role and provide steady leadership during this transition. Vaught's experience and commitment to the academic mission will support the university community as this work continues."
