The University Of Utah: U President Taylor Randall Creates Transition Team With Broad Campus Representation

Salt Lake City UT

19 August, 2021

8:07 AM

Description

Press release from The University of Utah: August 18, 2021 University of Utah President Taylor Randall announced today the formation of an internal team that will prepare a transition plan for his first year as president. The Operation Bold Transition Team, named after the new president's charge to the university to be bold in its aspirations, will meet twice a week over the next four weeks to create a carefully crafted transition plan by Sept. 1, 2021. "I've asked the transition team to design a process for me to meet with every school and college over the next 90 days to listen and learn about the plans, priorities and major issues they face," said Randall. "I also plan to meet with student and faculty leaders and leaders of U of U Health enterprise, including the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, to become more familiar with the challenges and opportunities we face." Vice President for Research Andrew Weyrich and Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute Director Natalie Gochnour will co-chair the transition team. The group includes several deans, department chairs and representatives of students, hospitals, athletics and other senior U leadership. Randall directed the team to align with and complement the U's current strategic plan, Strategy 2025. This plan, developed in 2019 under President Ruth Watkins' leadership, includes core values and strategic objectives for the U. "I support the U's existing strategic plan, which calls for the U to be a model public university and remain focused on building an equitable and inclusive campus community," said Randall. "I'm specifically interested in drawing out three areas of focus: Research creativity and innovation, student experiences, and our One U initiative, which in addition to uniting our campus and serving all of Utah, invites all people to participate in the bounties of higher education." OPERATION BOLD TRANSITION TEAM MEMBERS Andrew Weyrich, vice president for researchNatalie Gochnour, director, Kem C. Gardner Policy InstituteMarla De Jong, dean, College of NursingAngie Fagerlin, chair, Department of Population HealthJulie Fritz, associate dean for research, College of HealthCharmelle Green, deputy athletics director for internal operations and COO, Athletics DepartmentJeff Herring, chief human resources officerDan Lundergan, interim CEO, University of Utah Hospitals and ClinicsLori McDonald, vice president for student affairsMelody Murdock, director of editorial and content strategy, University Marketing & CommunicationsJason Perry, vice president for government relations, and director, Hinckley Institute of PoliticsJosé Rodriguez, associate vice president, Office for Health Equity, Diversity, & InclusionChristy Porucznik, president, Academic Senate, and professor, Department of Family & Preventive MedicineSonia Salari, president-elect, Academic Senate and professor, Department of Family & Consumer StudiesCharlie Saltzman, past-chair, Department of OrthopaedicsLaura Snow, chief of staff, Office of the PresidentKeith Squires, interim chief safety officerMartell Teasley, dean, College of Social WorkSylvia Torti, dean, Honors CollegePeter Trapa, dean, College of ScienceMary Ann Villarreal, vice president for equity, diversity & inclusionHeidi Woodbury, vice president for advancementCathy Anderson, CFO and vice president for administrative servicesPatti Ross, chief business strategy officerPhyllis Vetter, vice president and general counsel Students, staff, faculty and other community members who wish to provide input to the Operation Bold Transition Plan can do so by emailing [email protected]. This press release was produced by The University of Utah. The views expressed here are the author's own.