The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) is governed by the Utah Board of Higher Education and is comprised of Utah’s 16 public colleges and universities. The CEO of USHE is the Commissioner of Higher Education. The Commissioner and staff provide statewide leadership, policy recommendations, and execute Board policies, programs, and strategies.
The Utah Legislature grants the Utah Board of Higher Education the power to control, oversee, and regulate USHE. The Board’s major responsibilities include selecting and evaluating institutional presidents, setting policy, reviewing programs and degrees, approving institutional missions, and submitting a unified higher education budget request to the Governor and State Legislature.
The Utah Board of Higher Education is comprised of 10 Utah citizens, all appointed by the Governor, including one student member. Nine of the members are appointed to six-year staggered terms, while the student Board member is appointed to a one-year term.