After Decades of Leadership: Utah’s Longest-Serving University President Announces Retirement

Bethami Dobkin to Retire as Westminster University President

In exciting news from Salt Lake City, Bethami Dobkin, the president of Westminster University, announced she will retire after eight years in charge. Her retirement will take place at the end of the academic year in May 2026.

Dobkin has been a significant figure at Westminster since she took over in July 2018. In her announcement, she expressed immense pride in her time there, noting that Westminster will always hold a special place in her heart. The institution, located on a beautiful 27-acre campus, serves about 1,200 students.

Leadership During Challenging Times

Dobkin has led Westminster through a challenging period for higher education. She navigated the shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced recent cuts to federal research funding. Unlike many of her peers, she spoke out against attempts to politicize higher education, like when she signed a letter condemning certain actions from the Trump administration in 2020.

She also championed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at Westminster, especially after lawmakers ended similar initiatives at public institutions in Utah. Preston Chiaro, who chairs Westminster’s board of trustees, praised Dobkin’s visionary leadership, highlighting her commitment to creating an inclusive community.

A National Search for Her Successor

The board of trustees is already searching for Dobkin’s replacement and expects to announce the new leader by spring. This is particularly important given that the average tenure of university presidents in Utah is only about 3.3 years, according to the American Council on Education. Dobkin’s eight years at the helm is a notable achievement, especially during a time of significant turnover.

Challenges and Community Impact

Throughout her presidency, Dobkin faced various challenges. In 2019, she dealt with strong opposition from students regarding a proposed tuition increase of 8.5%. Also, issues surrounding allegations of misconduct put her leadership to the test.

With tuition costs at $33,000 per year, Westminster has the highest fees in Utah. Dobkin noted that addressing perceptions of liberal arts as inaccessible is crucial for attracting students. She aimed to counter this by promoting the university’s financial aid programs, which provide over $57 million in support annually.

Under her leadership, Dobkin has raised approximately $70 million for the university. She oversaw Westminster’s transition from a college to a fully recognized university, adding new doctorate programs and expanding student activities, such as mountain biking, climbing, and speech and debate.

Moreover, she inaugurated a community clinic that offers free mental health care to residents while allowing students to gain clinical training experience. This initiative showcases her commitment to both education and community well-being.

Looking Ahead

As Dobkin prepares for retirement, she plans to spend more time with family in California. With decades of experience in higher education, her departure marks the end of a significant era for Westminster University.

Experts in the field suggest that university leadership is undergoing rapid changes due to budget pressures and the heightened expectations placed on presidents. The transition ahead for Westminster will be crucial as the school navigates its future under new leadership.

Her legacy will likely influence how Westminster approaches education and community engagement in the years to come. For more information about Westminster University and its impact, you can visit Westminster University.

Source link

Westminster University, Utah Westminster University, Beth Dobkin, Bethami Dobkin, Westminster University president, Westminster president, Westminster Salt Lake City, Westminster Beth Dobkin, Utah university presidents, Utah university longest president