Utah Valley University (UVU) has appointed Scott M. Smith as UVU Board of Trustees chair, Jeanette Bennett as first vice chair, Jeremy Hafen as second vice chair. The appointments are effective immediately.
The changes were made as Rick Nielsen, Kara North, Paul Thompson, and Noel Vallejo finished their board terms last week. Other new board members will be announced later this summer by Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
“We are grateful for the dedicated service of Rick Nielsen, Paul Thompson, Kara North, and Noel Vallejo,” said Astrid S. Tuminez, president of UVU. “Their passion for education, practical guidance, financial support, and generosity with time have helped UVU become a stronger university. We have reached significant milestones in enrollment, completion, fundraising, and overall impact on Utah’s economy and society. We welcome Scott Smith, Jeanette Bennett, and Jeremy Hafen to their new roles on the board. Their leadership will help UVU improve further on the gains we have already made.”
Smith, co-founder of Qualtrics and a longtime advocate for education and community development, brings extensive experience to his role. A board member since 2019, he now steps into an expanded leadership position, where he will guide board members in advocating for UVU’s interests and overseeing the development of curriculum, policies, finances, degrees, facilities, and bylaws.
Bennett, founder of Utah Valley Magazine and a respected figure in Utah’s civic and business communities, will serve as first vice chair. A board member since 2021, she brings valuable insight and experience to the role. She became the executive managing director and CEO of Colliers Utah in April 2024 where she leads a team of 200 people. Hafen, president of Clyde Companies, Inc., a board member since 2023, adds a strong background in business leadership, construction, and institutional advancement.
The new appointments come at a pivotal time for UVU as it works closely with the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) to realign and reinvest resources as mandated by the Utah State Legislature. This strategic collaboration is designed to ensure students receive the highest possible return on their educational investment and the board will play a critical role in shaping the path forward.
UVU has long benefited from a distinguished roster of talented and influential board members, whose leadership has been central to the university’s progress since attaining university status in 2008. Their guidance has helped UVU achieve significant milestones — including the graduation of over 12,000 students in 2025 — and earning national recognition as an “Opportunity College and University – Higher Access, Higher Earnings” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
This honor affirms UVU’s success in expanding opportunity while delivering strong outcomes for its students and the community. It highlights UVU as a leading model for how institutions can broaden access to higher education while ensuring strong post-graduation outcomes. By opening doors to more students and equipping them for meaningful careers, UVU exemplifies the power of inclusive, high-impact education.
Eight members of the UVU Board of Trustees are appointed by the Governor of Utah and confirmed by the state senate, and two trustees serve as ex officio members who are the president of the alumni association and the president of the associated students. Trustees serve up to two four-year terms, with the possibility of extension.
For more information about the UVU Board of Trustees, visit www.uvu.edu/president/office/trustees.html.
About Utah Valley University
At Utah Valley University, we believe everyone deserves the transforming benefits of high-quality education — and it needs to be affordable, accessible, and flexible. With opportunities to earn everything from certificates to master’s degrees, our students succeed by gaining real-world experience and developing career-ready skills. We continue to invite people to come as they are — and leave ready and prepared to make a difference in the world.
