Utah State University President Elizabeth Cantwell’s departure is creating significant attention. Her move to Washington State University marks an important career shift, and her departure will also spark a leadership transition at USU. The Utah Board of Higher Education’s statement acknowledges the challenges and opportunities ahead for the university, and they’re preparing to appoint an interim president.
Cantwell, who was appointed as USU’s president in 2023, has a background in aerospace engineering, which was likely part of the appeal in selecting her for the role.
However, her tenure has not been without controversy, particularly concerning the athletics department.
The lawsuits related to her leadership include a wrongful termination case involving former football coach Blake Anderson and accusations about university officials using private messaging apps to bypass public records laws.
Her departure is a big shift for USU, and it will be interesting to see how the university handles the transition and how these legal matters unfold moving forward.