- Mountainland and Bridgerland technical colleges' presidents both stepped down on Wednesday.
- K. Chad Campbell retired after 41 years in Utah technical education and 11 at the helm of Bridgerland.
- Clay Christensen leaves Mountainland after 20 years.
OREM — Mountainland and Bridgerland technical colleges will both be searching for new leaders after both of the schools' presidents stepped down on Wednesday.
The Utah System of Higher Education announced the respective moves about five hours apart.
K. Chad Campbell retired from Bridgerland Technical College after 11 years as the college's president and 41 years of service in Utah technical education. His retirement will be effective June 30.
"Throughout my career, one constant has remained clear: Our students are at the heart of everything we do," Campbell said in a statement. "Their ambition, resilience and growth inspire every decision and effort made here at Bridgerland Technical College. It has been the greatest honor of my life to support technical education and serve this institution and community."
Campbell's tenure at Bridgerland saw the college expand instructional capacity, strengthen partnerships with employers and increase opportunities for students through strengthened transfer and articulation pathways with Utah's degree-granting institutions.
According to the Utah System of Higher Education, Campbell played a key role in securing funding for major capital development projects, including the college's health sciences building, and helped advance long-term campus planning through various property acquisitions.
"President Campbell's impact on Bridgerland Technical College and technical education in Utah has been extraordinary," Utah Commissioner of Higher Education Geoffrey Landward said in a statement. "His leadership and collaboration have helped strengthen opportunities for students, expand workforce training across the region and position the college for long-term innovation and growth. We are deeply grateful for his decades of service and dedication."
Following Campbell's retirement, the Utah System of Higher Education announced longtime Mountainland Technical College President Clay Christensen would be stepping down after 20 years at the helm of Utah's largest public technical college.
"Serving as the president of Mountainland Technical College has been an honor and the highlight of my professional career," Christensen said in a statement. "Working alongside dedicated professionals who are committed to providing opportunities for students to better their lives through technical education has been so rewarding."
Across the two decades of Christensen's leadership, Mountainland saw a big growth in students, facilities and industry partnerships, with the student population now at 6,500 students. The college also expanded its reach through its Payson campus, designed to serve 1,000 students.
Additionally, the college will cut the ribbon on a new Heber Valley campus later this summer, further expanding its presence across Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties. The additions bring the college's offerings to students across six campus locations and 14 buildings throughout the region.
In 2026, MTECH was awarded its seventh Best of State in nine years in the technical college/vocational education category.
"President Christensen's leadership will have a lasting impact on technical education in Utah," Landward said in a statement. "He has helped Mountainland Technical College grow with purpose, responded to the needs of students and employers, and strengthened the role of technical education in preparing Utahns for high-demand careers. His exceptional and steady leadership has shaped MTECH in meaningful and lasting ways."
The state board of higher education said it will begin searching for the schools' next presidents in the coming weeks.
