LOGAN — The Utah Board of Higher Education unanimously selected Brad L. Mortensen as the 18th president of Utah State University (USU) at its meeting Thursday. Mortensen, a USU alumnus who has spent over two decades in higher education focusing on affordability and access, will assume the position on Nov. 10, 2025.
Mortensen has served as president of Weber State University (WSU) since 2019. His appointment to lead his alma mater follows a period of transition at USU after President Elizabeth R. Cantwell accepted a role at Washington State University earlier this year.
During his introduction in the Big Blue Ballroom inside the Taggert Student Center, Mortensen emphasized his deep personal connection to the institution, noting that five members of his immediate family are Aggie alumni.
“This is incredibly humbling and almost unbelievable to be here,” stated Mortensen. “I can’t even say it is fulfilling a dream because it is beyond any dream. For a first-generation college graduate to become the president of their alma mater is truly just an unbelievable moment for me.”
During his tenure at WSU, Mortensen pioneered the state’s first accelerated bachelor’s degree programs, gaining approval for WSU to launch 90- to 94-credit bachelor’s degrees. He also successfully led WSU’s dual enrollment program, which became the largest in the United States among four-year institutions in 2024. Additionally, he secured nearly $400 million to enhance WSU’s academic, athletic, and research facilities, including establishing the Miller Advanced Research and Solutions (MARS) Center in partnership with the Utah Legislature, the U.S. Air Force, and the aerospace and defense industry.
Mortensen said he was “truly excited to connect with Aggie Nation,” and building a bright future for the university.
“That bright future will position USU as a premier research one land-grant institution that relentlessly empowers every student statewide to thrive. Our commitment will be two-fold and it will be unbreakable. The first is to drive world changing discovery. The second is to ensure that every single Aggie is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resilience that they need to define their future success, and to lead the next generation of innovation for our state and the globe.”
Utah Board of Higher Education Chair Amanda Covington praised the selection. “Dr. Mortensen is a visionary leader who understands the potential and responsibility of leading USU,” Covington said. “He has a proven record of delivering value for students and Utahns… The Board looks forward to his leadership at Utah State University.”
The Presidential Search Committee co-chair, David Huntsman, agreed, stating, “Brad Mortensen stood out for his practical, student-centered approach and his deep understanding of Utah’s higher education landscape. He’s a leader who listens, collaborates and delivers results.”
With Mortensen’s departure, the Board announced it will immediately appoint an interim president and initiate a presidential search for Weber State University to ensure continued leadership at that institution.