- Chris Mallet was unanimously appointed as Weber State University's next president on Thursday.
- Mallet, a Weber State graduate, will assume the position on Aug. 1.
- He aims to focus on student success and community collaboration in Davis and Weber counties.
OGDEN — The Utah Board of Higher Education on Thursday unanimously appointed Chris Mallet as Weber State University's next president.
"I can't tell you how excited I am to be here with you all, and come home to Utah this morning," Mallet, a Weber State graduate, said.
The appointment comes after Brad Mortensen was chosen as Utah State University's president in October after serving as Weber State's president since 2018.
Mallet's background in higher education includes his current role as chief administrative officer at Northeastern University's Roux Institute, where he works with industry, higher education, community partners, and donors to strengthen workforce development and economic opportunity across Maine and the nation.
He previously spent nearly 14 years at Western Governors University as part of the institution's founding team, helping pioneer online competency-based education and expand access to postsecondary education for hundreds of thousands of learners.
With deep ties to Utah, Mallet first discovered WSU as a 22-year-old carpenter, where he saw the university as an opportunity to build a different future for himself. It's also where he met his wife, Charlet, who was in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the time.
"I watched as Charlet grew and experienced and had opportunities with faculty and colleagues, and until that point, I never thought that a university experience would be right for me. It wasn't something that had been held up as an example in my life, and I was, I suppose, blissfully moving along, doing my thing, and Charlet inspired me to believe that I could succeed in this path," Mallett said.
On a Tuesday night at Clearfield High School, Mallett started his first course at WSU, launching his journey in higher education that has now come full circle.
Mallett said his vision for the university is straightforward and focused on capitalizing on "Weber State excellence" that he said has already been fostered by the faculty, staff and students at WSU.
"We have an opportunity to continue to focus on student success, put the mission first, and put our students in the foreground of our thoughts and our opportunities, but doing that mindful that it's the faculty and the staff of this great institution ... not the administrators, that change people's lives," Mallett said. "Students are inspired by their faculty to take risks and do bold things and trust themselves, and my job is to be an ally to all of you, to allow you to continue to do your best work on behalf of those that we serve."
He added that he's looking forward to connecting with the region and community of Davis and Weber counties to work together.
Mallett will assume the position on Aug. 1.
"We are coming home to be a part of this community with all of you and all of us together. ... We are one Wildcat community, and we can do these things. You're already doing these things, and I'm humbled and honored to join you," Mallett said.
