Utah Tech University Names Park University Leader Shane Smeed as Its New President
In a significant development, Shane Smeed, the current president of Park University, has announced his departure from the institution. His successor, Dr. Joe York, is set to take over on January 1, 2026.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees made President Smeed's transition the primary agenda item of its March 6 meeting. The news of Smeed's move comes at a crucial time when key initiatives, such as the Student Success and Enrollment Growth Plan, Vision 2030, and the Shared Governance Commission, are being actively advanced.
Smeed has been at the helm of Park University since November 2020, having previously served the institution since September 2015. His departure marks a new chapter for Park University, and the Board of Trustees has expressed its gratitude for his dedicated service.
Meanwhile, Smeed will be joining Utah Tech University, located in St. George, Utah. The Utah Board of Higher Education announced his appointment as the 19th president of Utah Tech University on Feb. 26, 2025, but no start date for his tenure at the new institution has been determined.
The Board of Trustees at Park University has begun the process of finding a replacement for Smeed, but no further information about this has been provided as yet. More details about the transition will be shared as they become available.
In the meantime, key institutional leaders at Park University are ensuring the continuation of the initiatives, including the Student Success and Enrollment Growth Plan, Vision 2030, and the Shared Governance Commission, which are carefully designed to maintain the institution's stability and plan for a strong future.
Terry Calaway, Ed.D, serves as the Chair of the Park University Board of Trustees. The announcement of Smeed's appointment at Utah Tech University was not provided in the paragraph, but a news release from Utah Tech can be found at news.utahtech.edu/2025/02/26/president.
The Park University community wishes Shane Smeed success in his new opportunity at Utah Tech University, and the Board of Trustees looks forward to working with Dr. Joe York in the coming years.
In light of the ongoing initiatives such as the Student Success and Enrollment Growth Plan, Vision 2030, and the Shared Governance Commission, general news about Shane Smeed's departure from Park University and his move to Utah Tech University for education-and-self-development purposes may have significant implications for the institution's future plans.
