President Chris Mallett: Why a Weber State Wildcat is returning to his purple roots

Wildcat Nation has a new leader.

Chris Mallett was named president of Ogden’s Weber State University on Thursday by the Utah Board of Higher Education (UBHE).

The university’s new chief won’t need to ask for directions to find his way around the Ogden campus when he starts the new job Aug. 1. Mallett claimed an associate and bachelor’s degree from WSU before continuing his graduate education at the University of Utah and Pepperdine University

But Mallett and his family will likely need a bit of time becoming readjusted to northern Utah’s altitude — and Mountain Daylight Time.

He currently serves as chief administrative officer at Northeastern University’s Roux Institute in Portland, Maine. There he connects higher education with community partners, donors and industry across The Pine Tree State and beyond.

Prior to Northeastern, he spent 14 years at Western Governors University as part of the institution’s founding team.

There, according to UBHE, he helped pioneer online competency-based education “and expand access to postsecondary education for hundreds of thousands learners.”

Mallett replaces former WSU president Brad Mortensen, who appointed Utah State University’s 18th president last fall. Veteran administrator Leslie Durham has been serving as WSU’s interim president.

“Chris Mallett was selected from an outstanding pool of local and national candidates,” said Amanda Covington, chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education, after making the selection announcement on Thursday.

“He has deep roots here. Chris leads some of the nation’s most innovative higher education initiatives. But long before helping lead higher education nationally, Chris first experienced the transformative power of higher education as a Weber State student.”

Covington added Mallett’s entrepreneurial leadership style, vision and record of advancing student opportunities and workforce readiness allowed him to stand out as a candidate.

“His experience building collaborative partnerships and advancing innovation in higher education positioned him as a compelling leader for Weber State University’s future.”

During his remarks following his introduction, Mallett said he’s eager to return to an institution that was pivotal to his professional and personal development.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be among you and to join this team to help take us to our next opportunity. I am so deeply honored and excited to be the next president of this incredible university.”

A carpenter-turned-university-president

Mallett recalled being a 22-year-old carpenter, moving to Utah and meeting his future wife, Charlet, who was studying at WSU.

At that point in his life, 30-plus years ago, he wasn’t sure if he was a good fit for college. But Charlet inspired him to pursue higher education.

So he enrolled at WSU, initially taking an American government course at Clearfield High School.

It was a nervous moment.

“But a member of the faculty put me at ease immediately, welcomed me, and made me feel at home and like I belonged at this university,” he said. “And the rest evolved in ways that I couldn’t have imagined.”

Mallett called his WSU appointment “a storybook situation” — highlighting the existing programs and partnerships linking WSU students with industry and opportunity.

“We are one Wildcat community and we can do these things,” he said. “You’re already doing these things. And I’m humbled and honored to join you.”

Mallett: WSU’s students are ‘capable and talented’

Shortly after Thursday’s announcement, Mallett spoke with the Deseret News about his leadership hopes at WSU.

No, he could not have imagined he would one day be hired as WSU’s president when he enrolled in that initial government course. But his path to higher education emerged as he built confidence while studying and working alongside wise mentors and associates.

Wayne Vaught appointed acting president of Utah Valley University

He’s learned the importance of universities and faculties serving and empowering students eager to create better lives for themselves and their families.

“That’s been my North Star throughout my whole career,” he said. “And it’s going to be so exciting to bring it back to a place — my alma mater — that’s meant so much to me and gave me the foundation and the vision and the opportunity to now succeed with this next opportunity.”

Mallett said his years as a WSU undergraduate helped him develop a curiosity and respect for people who held different views than his own. He also enjoyed opportunities to coach and mentor as a teaching assistant, building skills that have served him well across his career.

The new president saluted his WSU predecessors — noting the momentum already found across campus.

“It’s never been more important for a university to prioritize the mission that Weber State has always prioritized,” he said. “American families are expecting universities to meet them where they are. To provide value. To provide return on investment — and not just their tuition investment, but their time investment.”

An advocate of experienced-based learning, Mallett said the time is right — across Utah’s higher education system — to double-down on its efforts to partner with local communities and industries.

Mallett added he has a message for the broad WSU community: “Our students are capable and talented. Our faculty are world class. We’re already working in service with partners of this region and of this organization. And we are so hungry to do more.”

Utah’s colleges and universities, he noted, are the envy of many states.

“We have a lot of opportunities to have the wind beneath our sails and really do more on behalf of the learners and the families that we serve here throughout Utah, and especially here in northern Utah.”

Utah legislative/higher education leaders: ‘Welcome home, President Mallett’

Several state lawmakers and educators attended Thursday’s announcement at WSU’s Hurst Center for Lifelong Learning.

“Congratulations to Weber State University on the selection of Chris Mallett as its next president,” said Utah Senate President Stuart Adams in a statement to the Deseret News.

“Weber State plays an important role in preparing Utah’s workforce, expanding opportunity and helping students build successful futures in communities across our state.

“I look forward to working with President Mallett as the university continues to support student success, innovation and workforce development.”

Added Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz: “Chris Mallett is an outstanding choice to lead Weber State at an important moment for higher education and for our state.

“We are excited to welcome him back home to Utah — and confident he will help lead Weber State into a new era of opportunity, innovation and student success.”

Javier Chavez Jr. is a Utah Board of Higher Education member who co-chaired the presidential search committee.

Mallett, Chavez said, understands the importance of connecting higher education with industry and community needs.

“His experience building partnerships across higher education, industry and community organizations positions him well at Weber State University.”

During the hiring search, Mallett emerged as a collaborative, student-focused leader needed to accelerate WSU’s impact, said Ally Isom, a school trustee and co-chair of the search committee, in a USHE release.

“(Mallett’s) own journey as a Weber Wildcat demonstrates what is possible for students and our greater community.”