The president’s office sits unusually bare, no framed diplomas, no family photos, no personal touches, just an empty desk waiting for its next owner. Early November 2025, Provost Leslie Durham stepped inside and assumed a new title: interim president. Her arrival comes at a pivotal moment as students return to campus.
With former President Brad Mortensen leaving earlier than expected, Weber State University launches a search for its next leader under a new state law that shields much of the process from public view — forcing the school to balance confidentiality with campus conversation.
Mortensen’s departure shocked many when he announced in late October that he would step down before the end of the academic year. In the announcement, he said his final day at Weber State would be Nov. 7, 2025 after accepting the position of president at Utah State University, his alma mater.
He also noted that Dean of Students Ali Threet would step in for Vice President of Student Access & Success Jessica Oyler, who would be departing as well.
A week later, Weber State hosted a town hall meeting on Nov. 6, 2025, when Mortensen and key members of his administration and a crucial member, Durham, took questions from the audience and explained what to expect in the coming months. Mortensen used part of this time to elaborate on his decision to leave the university.
“I wouldn’t be changing jobs if it weren’t for how great Weber State is,” Mortensen said. “It’s a tribute to everyone here at Weber State and our students, and our community, and alumni and donors who support us that I have this opportunity. So, I want to thank you sincerely for that.”
What the new law brings
Mortensen used this time to explain his experience being hired under the Senate bill enacted earlier this year, SB 282.
When Mortensen was hired as president of Weber State, he said the search involved a committee of about 23 people representing departments across campus as well as members of the Ogden community. By contrast, when he was selected as the next president of Utah State University, he said the decision was made by a nine-member committee.
The committee included two members of the Utah Board of Higher Education, two trustees, an alumni representative, a student representative, the Faculty Senate chair and the staff association chair.
At the town hall, Keith Titus, who was recently elected as chair of Weber State University’s Board of Trustees, said Weber’s presidential search will model closely to Mortensen’s.
Titus said the university expects to hold four to seven town hall and information-gathering sessions, many of them on campus with students, faculty and staff. He added that additional meetings will include local businesses and public policy leaders.
One meeting took place in Lindquist Hall on Monday, Jan. 12, inviting faculty, staff, students and community members to engage with the search committee face-to-face. The search committee also plans to host a virtual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 15 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. More information can be found on the Weber State University presidential search webpage.
Titus said these sessions will help to create several key documents including a presidential leadership profile outlining the attributes and skills the campus wants in its next leader, an evaluation rubric for reviewing candidates and a summary report of the feedback gathered at each town hall to guide the committee’s work. The process will conclude with a final recommendation report.
The committee is made up of nine members: Javier Chavez Jr. and Jodi Hart of the Utah Board of Higher Education, trustee Tammy Gallegos, Faculty Senate chair Jason Francis, staff representatives Marc Gangwer and Mark Halverson, Ally Isom of Clyde Companies, Steve Starks of the Larry H. Miller Company, and Weber State University Student Association Student Body President Mia Foster.
Ultimately, the search committee will submit three finalists to the Utah Board of Higher Education, Titus said.
“I haven’t participated in a process like this,” he said. “We don’t typically do this in business, but I support and understand the process and how they’re working on it.”
Titus’ comments reflect the biggest shift in Utah’s presidential hiring process under SB 282: Under state law, much of the search now takes place behind closed doors.
“The individuals that are currently identified in that search committee have very close connections to the university, have an understanding of the needs of the university and each of you and your voices will be represented,” he said.
Research on presidential searches
Titus’ reassurance stands in contrast to concerns raised by researchers who study university governance and presidential hiring. Among them is Judith Wilde, a research professor at George Mason University.
Wilde focuses her research on how presidents are hired and what happens with them when they leave before their contract. She said along with her colleague, James Finkelstein, they don’t know anyone else who studies the topic.
Wilde said the rise of executive search firms has reshaped how universities choose their presidents, shifting power away from traditional shared governance.
“Shared governance has been a tenet of academia for over 100 years,” she said. “It seems that especially with the advent of the use of search firms, that is going by the wayside.”
Nationally, most university presidential searches, including those in Utah, rely on external search firms to recruit and vet candidates. SB 282 requires search committees to protect candidate confidentiality, which limits how much the public, including faculty and staff, can weigh in on who is being considered.
Wilde said that nationally, faculty members are already far less involved in presidential searches as outside firms increasingly run the process. “It’s through the search firms that this secrecy has become pretty much the norm,” Wilde said. “Although it is against all the tenets of academia.”
Wilde also documented how dramatically the use of search firms has grown. Reviewing presidential search announcements in the Chronicle of Higher Education from 1975 to 2015, Wilde found that only 2% of searches used a firm in the mid-1970s, mostly at private or church-affiliated institutions. By 2015, that number had climbed to 92% across both public and private universities.
She pointed to Florida as an example of how confidentiality laws can reshape searches. A bill intended to increase transparency ended up doing the opposite, she said, leaving even its own sponsor disappointed.
“We analyzed the bill and wrote back and said, ‘We don’t think that’s what’s going to happen. We think it’s going to do just the opposite,’” Wilde said. “And he himself has now written that he’s very disappointed that it has been interpreted differently from what he wanted.”
As searches become more closed, she said the public should be alert of the timeline of the process, noting that search firms have a tendency to speed the process without proper vetting. “Don’t do that,” Wilde said. “Take your time — look at the candidates.”
Confidence on campus
Despite the heightened concerns about ensuring the right selection, some campus voices say they trust the people guiding the search. Among them is Kalijah Robinson, social media manager for the 2025-2026 Presidential Leadership Fellows program, who worked closely with Mortensen and Weber State leadership over the past year.
“I want to say that I’m not concerned,” Robinson said. “I have a lot of faith and trust in them because the leadership here in Weber State has been really great at determining how to continue this culture, and so I believe in them for making the right choice moving on.”
He added that he had spoken with members of the selection committee and believes they are immersed in a culture that prioritizes uplifting students and that this priority will shape their decision.
Robinson pulled from his experience with Mortensen, saying he hopes the next president follows his example of being deeply involved with Weber State students and the broader community.
“I feel like that’s a big thing here at Weber State,” Robinson said. “A lot of people see it as just a bounce-off point, but I think our leadership does a really good job at determining the culture here at Weber State, and I just hope that continues.”
Foster, the student body president serving on the search committee, echoed Robinson’s confidence, saying she believes the search will reflect the priorities of Weber State’s students.
Foster said being the only student on the board is a significant responsibility because it gives her the opportunity to advocate directly for Weber students.
“Our university president can change and shift things at our institution, and quickly,” she said. “My main job is just to ensure all student voices are being represented and are being heard. I personally plan on talking to tons of students throughout my time on the search.”
Foster said the committee is already outlining its plans for the first month of the selection process, beginning with creating a profile of the attributes they want to see in the next president. She added that there will be several town halls and opportunities for community partners to submit feedback and recommendations.
Foster also pointed to resources available through the Utah System of Higher Education and Weber State’s presidential websites. “You’ll see not only all the committee members and bios, but you’ll also see the different timelines,” she said.
Acknowledging limitations imposed by SB 282, Foster said she is focused on providing as much transparency as the law allows.
“The whole process is going to be known,” Foster said. “People are going to know where a town hall is, they’re going to know when we’re doing interviews. So, people are going to be in the know; they’re just not going to know names.”
Foster noted throughout the process she plans to look for someone similar to Mortensen. “He was someone that I truly do look up to,” Foster said. “No one’s perfect, but I just appreciate him always saying, ‘Well, what does the student think?’ That’s what I’m looking for in a leader — someone who is ok sacrificing things for students’ needs and wants.”
Looking ahead
Throughout the transition in leadership, Foster said WSUSA plans to work with student groups and the current administration to ensure the transition of leadership is smooth and student voices continue to be heard.
Annyssa Reyes, a former Vice President of WSUSA, said the search for the next president is expected to be a six-month process, leaving Durham in the role until fall semester. This would also mean a new WSUSA leadership team will be elected by the time a new president arrives.
Reyes said her focus is building strong communication with the current administration.
“It’s very important to build those relationships and welcome them with open arms because I feel like the morale would be really low if we didn’t already have an established relationship,” Reyes said. She added that WSUSA’s long-standing relationship with Threet as dean of students gives her confidence in working with Threet in her role as vice president of SAS.
Reyes said WSUSA has always been comfortable sharing concerns or recommendations with Threet. “I am not necessarily afraid to tell her when I think something’s wrong or I want to do something,” she said. “We’re very blessed that the interim and Ali is willing to be open arms into all these changes and things.”
Reyes said she is already seeing promising signs from Durham, noting that the interim president has emphasized openness to feedback.
“We’re assuming this is where there are instances they will be our best friends or instances where we’ll question their leadership,” she said. “I think that is the nice part of being in these roles is we’re allowed to do criticism in a way that is impactful and you’re still advocating for voices.”
In an interview with The Signpost on Nov. 25, 2025, Durham said she plans to focus on learning the role, understanding the institution and supporting academic affairs as the university moves through the transition.
“As interim president, my attention needs to turn outward,” Durham said. “I need to get to know donors and legislators and community partners.”
Along with stepping into the responsibilities of the presidency, Durham said she hopes to meet with students whenever her schedule allows and encourages them to reach out.
“I’m particularly concerned with being able to represent the university well during the legislative session that’s coming up,” she said. “That is a learning curve for me, but I’m working on it.”
Durham said her priority during the transition will be to uphold Weber State’s values and maintain a momentum so the next president inherits a strong, stable institution.
“I want to keep the ship steady and moving forward so that the next leader can see what a wonderful opportunity it is to come to Weber State,” she said.
Durham added that her commitment to Weber State is strong and she hopes to foster the community that already exists.
“The potential of Weber is vast, and I will do my best to steward it and grow that during this transition time,” Durham said. “I am proud to be here and I’m so glad that the students are here, too.”
