- Leslie Durham was appointed interim president of Weber State University starting Nov. 10.
- Kent Thygerson becomes interim leader at Tooele Technical College beginning Nov. 16.
- The Utah Board of Higher Education seeks long-term leaders for both institutions during this transitional period.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Board of Higher Education has appointed interim leaders to serve at two educational institutions.
Leslie Durham will take the reins at Weber State University beginning Monday, Nov. 10, and Kent Thygerson steps into his new role at Tooele Technical College one week later, the organization announced in a press release.
The decisions were announced during the Utah Board of Higher Education's executive committee meeting on Thursday.
The Wildcat way
Durham, already a faculty member at Weber State University, currently serves as the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs; she has more than 15 years of experience in leadership in higher education, including roles at Boise State University, just several hours north.
Durham steps into the role, following the Utah Board of Higher Education's appointment last month of current Weber State University President Brad L. Mortensen, to take over as the next president of Utah State University.
"I am honored to serve as interim president of Weber State University during this transition," Durham said in a statement..
During her time at Boise State, Durham served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, where she worked to improve student success, increase research expenditures, launch new academic programs and stabilize the college's financial position amidst fiscal and political challenges, the board's release stated.
"Leslie Durham is an experienced leader who understands Weber State University's mission and role as well as its strategic direction," said Amanda Covington, chairwoman of the Utah Board of Higher Education, in a statement. "Her collaborative approach and background in academic affairs, performance measurement, student success, and community partnerships will ensure steady leadership for Weber State during this transition."
Durham added that she looks forward to working closely with Weber State students and its campus community to "ensure continuity, stability and continued progress in the months ahead."
Stepping up
Further west, at Tooele Technical College, Thygerson's new interim role is also an in-house transitional one. He's currently the vice president of finance and operations at the school — a role he has held for nearly a decade, according to the higher education board's release.
While at Tooele Technical College, Thygerson has been instrumental in managing the institution's finances and business operations, including the management of a recent capital development facility expansion. He comes with an associate's degree from Salt Lake Community College, a bachelor's degree in accounting and an MBA from Utah State University.
Additionally, Thygerson is currently licensed as a certified public accountant and as a certified internal auditor.
"Kent Thygerson is a proven administrator who has helped strengthen Tooele Tech's reputation with thoughtful, data-informed decision making," Jon Cox, vice chairman of the Utah Board of Higher Education, said in a statement. "He will provide steady leadership and careful oversight of critical initiatives as the institution moves forward during this transition."
Thygerson fills the role on a temporary basis, after Tooele Technical College President Paul Hacking announced his retirement after years in the role.
"It is a privilege to serve Tooele Technical College in this interim role and to work alongside our talented faculty, staff and students," Thygerson said in a statement. "I am committed to advancing the college's mission and providing steady leadership during this transition."
The Board of Higher Education said he will officially assume the role on Nov. 16.
"Both interim presidents will lead their respective institutions while the Utah Board of Higher Education determines long-term leaders for each college and university," the board stated.
