Deneece Huftalin recently wrapped up a notable ten-year stint as president of Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). Despite being a dream job for her, the last two years were tough. Increased scrutiny and pressure from various sources made her realize it was time to retire. "It was horrible," she reflected, highlighting the distress she felt. She stepped down in June 2024, amidst significant changes in leadership across Utah’s public higher education institutions.
In just four years, six out of eight public colleges and universities in Utah have appointed new leaders. This high turnover means that many students graduating now have seen multiple presidents during their time in college. For instance, recent changes at Utah State University have resulted in two presidents in less than two years. This trend indicates a broader challenge in Utah’s higher education system, where the average tenure for college presidents is currently about 3.3 years—far below the national average of 5.9 years, as reported by the American Council on Education.
Huftalin attributes some of this turmoil to the state Legislature’s increasing involvement in higher education. She expressed concern about a growing disdain for the sector among lawmakers, which doesn’t bode well for educational institutions. Recent decisions, including cuts of $60 million to higher education and restrictions on diversity initiatives, have compounded pressures on college leaders.
Experts concur that the challenges faced by college presidents in Utah reflect a national trend. Nicholas Dirks, a former chancellor at the University of California, Berkeley, believes Utah’s situation embodies a more extreme version of growing volatility in higher education leadership. Many presidents are now dealing with the stress of managing various stakeholders—students, parents, faculty, state legislators—each with differing expectations.
A survey shows that nearly 55% of university presidents plan to step down within the next five years, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the role. Daniel Drezner, a professor at Tufts University, highlights the increasing political polarization in higher education that makes the job ever more unappealing. The pressure to satisfy everyone, from students to state officials, can be daunting.
While compensation for college presidents is competitive, potential candidates might be turned off by the challenges that come with the position. The calls for a better understanding of what makes a successful president are louder than ever, with some saying ongoing support and clear expectations are critical for retaining leaders.
Utah isn’t alone in this; nationwide, colleges are witnessing a similar pattern of leadership turnover. The challenges posed to presidents are complex, requiring them to juggle financial sustainability, safety on campus, and community engagement amid growing demands from numerous stakeholders. As this trend continues, institutions are searching for ways to better support their leaders, aiming for stability in a turbulent educational landscape.
For more insights on the challenges of higher education leadership, visit American Council on Education.
Check out this related article: How Trump’s Critique of Higher Education Opens Doors to Reimagining the University Experience
Source linkUniversity of Utah, Utah State University, Deneece Huftalin, Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell, Betsy Cantwell, Taylor Randall, Brad Mortensen, university president turnover, president turnover, Utah president turnover, Utah college presidents, Utah university presidents, Ruth Watkins, Utah Tech University, Richard "Biff" Williams, Biff Williams
