USU Pres. Mortensen Announces Leadership Level Realignment, Shares Next Steps

Editor’s note: This email from USU President Brad L. Mortensen was sent to all USU employees on Tuesday afternoon.

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to share details about an organizational realignment of leadership roles that spans operations, statewide campuses, and Extension. As we begin shaping our next strategic plan and positioning the university for continued progress, we are adjusting several reporting relationships to support coordination, clarity, and alignment with our institutional priorities. These adjustments reflect structural alignment and are not a reflection on the importance or impact of the work being carried out across these areas.

While we have clarity on many aspects of this realignment, some details are still being finalized and search processes are being organized. I may not have answers to every question today, but I will continue to share additional information as we iron out details.

Operations

First, the operations division—encompassing human resources, public safety, information technology, the office of data and analytics, and the civil rights and Title IX office—will see substantial changes. As part of this change, John O’Neil is leaving and his role as executive vice president and chief operating officer will not be backfilled. I am grateful to John for his service and the contributions he has made to Utah State University, and we wish him continued success in his future ventures.

Although this role will not be backfilled, the responsibilities it supported remain vital to the university’s success. In the coming months, we will assess operational needs and consider how best to organize leadership and support structures to ensure continued effectiveness and alignment with our mission. During this assessment period, reporting lines will change as follows:

• The chief data officer will report to the provost, strengthening alignment between institutional data strategy and academic and student success priorities.
• Human resources will report to the chief of staff to support coordinated workforce strategy and organizational alignment.
• Information technology will report to the vice president for finance and administrative services, underscoring its central role in institutional infrastructure and operations.
• The civil rights and Title IX office and the department of public safety will report to the special advisor to the president on strategic initiatives to maintain clear executive oversight and coordination of institutional compliance and response efforts.
• Crissy Downs Cisneros, associate vice president, will report to the chief of staff.

Statewide Campuses and Extension

As we move forward, we are also realigning leadership structures to strengthen connections between statewide work and our academic mission.

Ken White, senior vice president of the statewide enterprise, will be stepping back into his role as a faculty member in the animal, dairy, and veterinary science department on March 6. Over many years at Utah State, Ken has served in a range of administrative and academic leadership roles and has helped strengthen our statewide presence and partnerships. I am grateful for his service, professionalism, and commitment to the university’s mission and look forward to his continued contributions as a faculty member.  Moving forward, we will not rehire a senior vice president of statewide enterprise.

In addition, James Taylor, vice president of regional campuses, will step down from his administrative position on June 30 to return to his role as a faculty member in wildland resources. We appreciate his leadership and service to the university and our statewide campuses.

We will begin national searches for the roles to lead Extension and statewide campuses. Until those positions are filled, the following leaders will serve in interim appointments beginning March 6:

• Justen Smith, who currently serves as the director of the extension agriculture and natural resources department, will serve as interim vice president for USU Extension and will report jointly to the president and the provost. This change reflects the central role of faculty outreach and engagement and scholarship in Extension’s work across Utah. 
• Pam Dupin Bryant, who currently serves as the vice provost of statewide campuses, will serve as interim vice president for statewide campuses. Pam brings deep institutional knowledge and leadership experience that will support continuity and collaboration during this transition. In this role, Pam will report to both the president and the provost. 

Collaboration across these areas will still be important as we serve students, communities, and partners throughout the state. This structure reduces layers while continuing to recognize and elevate the roles of both of these areas.

Leadership Title Adjustments

Title adjustments to reflect leadership realignment across the institution will take effect on Feb. 27 as we continue our efforts to bring clarity and consistency to leadership designations and reduce unnecessary hierarchy. As part of this work, we will move away from senior and executive vice president designations, with the exception of the provost, and return to a single level of vice presidents who report directly to the president. Roles that do not report to the president will no longer carry the vice president title.

These changes are not reflective of individual performance, responsibility, or the importance of the work being carried out across the institution. Rather, they are intended to promote organizational clarity and alignment as we continue serving our campuses, communities, and statewide mission. 

Looking Ahead

These changes will position us to strengthen collaboration across academic, operational, and administrative functions while advancing our statewide, land-grant, R1 research mission and our firm commitment to students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve.

I recognize that transitions like this can create questions or uncertainty, and I want to assure you that our focus remains on continuity and support for the important work underway across our statewide institution.

I appreciate your patience through this transition, and if you have any questions about how this affects you, please reach out to me at president@usu.edu, so we can continue to move forward with openness and transparency.

Thank you for your continued dedication to Utah State University and to the shared work we carry forward together.

Best, 
brad