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Committee advances Southern Utah University trustee nominees after alumni and rural‑education testimony
Summary
The Senate Education Committee unanimously recommended Katie Wankier and Darren Bird for appointment to Southern Utah University's Board of Trustees following statements about SUU’s student-centered culture, rural access and workforce alignment; the university president endorsed both nominees during public comment.
The Utah Senate Education Committee on Thursday forwarded two nominees to the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees to the full Senate with favorable recommendations. Katie Wankier, an SUU alumna, former alumni‑council president and local business owner, emphasized stewardship, affordability, student completion and aligning degrees with workforce needs. Darren Bird, a product of rural Utah and a longtime state official who served as deputy director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, described SUU’s role in building student confidence and returning graduates to rural communities as teachers and professionals. Both nominees described priorities that include expanding access, maintaining SUU’s student-centered approach and aligning programs to employer needs. SUU President Benson spoke in support of Wankier and Bird during the public-comment portion, endorsing their experience and connection to the university. Committee members asked nominees how they would help increase access for rural and underserved students and what they hoped to accomplish during their service. Wankier highlighted SUU’s ambassador and ACES programs that pair new students with current students; Bird emphasized maintaining individualized advising and nimbleness to keep pace with changing workforce needs. Senators moved and the committee recorded unanimous voice votes to recommend both candidates to the full Senate. The recommendations are procedural and must be followed by full Senate confirmation to be final.
