Interim presidents selected for 2 Utah higher education institutions – KSL.com

Report on Utah Higher Education Leadership Appointments and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The Utah Board of Higher Education has announced interim leadership appointments at two key institutions, a strategic move to ensure stability and continued progress toward educational and economic development objectives. These appointments are aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Weber State University: Advancing SDG 4 through Experienced Leadership

Dr. Leslie Durham has been appointed as the interim president of Weber State University. Her extensive background in academic affairs and institutional leadership is poised to reinforce the university’s commitment to providing inclusive and equitable quality education.

• Commitment to Student Success: Dr. Durham’s previous work to improve student success and launch new academic programs directly supports SDG Target 4.3, which aims to ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
• Fostering Innovation and Research: Her experience in increasing research expenditures aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), fostering an environment of innovation that is crucial for sustainable development.
• Sustainable Institutional Management: Dr. Durham’s success in stabilizing a college’s financial position demonstrates a capacity for resilient institutional management, a foundational requirement for the long-term delivery of quality education (SDG 4).
• Collaborative Partnerships: Her recognized collaborative approach and focus on community partnerships embody the principles of SDG 17, highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder collaborations to achieve sustainable development objectives.

Tooele Technical College: Strengthening SDG 8 through Workforce Development

At Tooele Technical College, Mr. Kent Thygerson will serve as interim president. His appointment underscores the critical role of technical and vocational education in promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.

1. Enhancing Skills for Employment: As a technical college, the institution is a primary driver for SDG Target 8.6, which seeks to substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training. Mr. Thygerson’s leadership will ensure the continuity of programs that provide students with relevant job skills.
2. Data-Informed Governance: His reputation for thoughtful, data-informed decision-making is essential for the efficient allocation of resources to maximize educational outcomes and meet local economic needs, contributing to both SDG 4 and SDG 8.
3. Resilient Infrastructure: Mr. Thygerson’s experience in managing a capital development facility expansion directly relates to building effective learning environments and resilient infrastructure (SDG 9), which are necessary to support quality vocational training.
4. Financial Stewardship for Sustainability: With nearly a decade as the Vice President of Finance and Operations, his expertise ensures the financial stability and operational integrity of the college, allowing it to sustainably fulfill its mission of workforce development.

Strategic Oversight for Long-Term Sustainable Education

The Utah Board of Higher Education’s appointment of these experienced internal leaders ensures that both Weber State University and Tooele Technical College will maintain momentum during this transitional period. The focus on academic quality, financial stability, and operational excellence in these appointments reflects a commitment to strengthening Utah’s higher education system as a key contributor to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The board will continue its oversight while determining long-term leaders who can further advance these critical objectives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article is entirely focused on the governance and leadership of higher education institutions, namely Weber State University and Tooele Technical College. The appointments are intended to ensure “continuity, stability and continued progress” in these educational settings, directly impacting the quality of education provided.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The appointment of Leslie Durham as the interim president of Weber State University is a clear example of a woman taking on a high-level leadership role in public life, specifically within the higher education sector. This connects directly to the goal of ensuring women’s full participation and equal opportunities for leadership.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article mentions Tooele Technical College, an institution that provides technical and vocational skills crucial for employment. The stable leadership and management of such a college, as discussed in the article, contribute to preparing the workforce, which is a key component of sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article details the formal and orderly process by which the Utah Board of Higher Education, a public institution, manages leadership transitions. This demonstrates the functioning of an “effective, accountable and transparent” institution working to ensure stability and “steady leadership” in the public education system.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university. The article discusses leadership at both a university and a technical college, institutions central to achieving this target. The appointments aim to “ensure continuity” and advance each institution’s mission, thereby supporting continued access to tertiary education.
2. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. Tooele Technical College is explicitly an institution that provides these skills. The appointment of an experienced financial administrator like Kent Thygerson to ensure “careful oversight of critical initiatives” supports the college’s ability to fulfill this mission.
3. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The appointment of Leslie Durham to the role of interim president of Weber State University is a direct manifestation of this target, showcasing a woman in a top leadership position within a major public university.
4. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The article describes the Utah Board of Higher Education’s formal process of meeting and announcing appointments to manage leadership transitions. This action, aimed at providing “steady leadership” and ensuring “stability,” is a clear example of an effective and accountable public institution in operation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 4.3 & 4.4:
  • Implied Indicator: The continued functioning and progress of higher education and technical colleges. The article’s focus on ensuring “continuity, stability and continued progress” implies that the operational status and advancement of these institutions are key measures of success.
  • Mentioned Indicator: Focus on “student success.” Leslie Durham’s background includes working to “improve student success,” which can be measured through graduation rates, retention rates, and post-graduation employment.
  • Mentioned Indicator: Development of relevant academic programs. Durham’s past experience in launching “new academic programs” is an indicator of an institution’s responsiveness to the needs of students and the economy.
• For Target 5.5:
  • Mentioned Indicator: The appointment of a woman to a high-level leadership position. The selection of Leslie Durham as interim president serves as a direct, qualitative indicator related to the proportion of women in managerial positions in public institutions.
• For Target 16.6:
  • Implied Indicator: Existence of formal procedures for leadership transition. The article describes the established process the Utah Board of Higher Education follows, which is an indicator of institutional effectiveness.
  • Mentioned Indicator: Use of data-informed decision-making. The article notes that Kent Thygerson is known for “thoughtful, data-informed decision making,” which is a key indicator of an accountable and well-managed institution.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ksl.com