Meet the President
Chris Mallett is the 14th president of Weber State University, his alma mater and the place that shaped his belief in the life-changing impact of higher education.
Mallett leads a university of more than 33,000 students and 2,800 faculty and staff members across seven colleges and multiple campuses and centers.
The president’s priority is building on Weber State’s momentum, positioning the university for long-term growth, and making the next chapters just as brilliant as past successes. Doing so includes growing opportunities for experiential learning — the practice of learning by doing — so students continue to graduate and enter the workforce with skills and knowledge that set them apart.
Mallett wants to expand partnerships across the region and beyond. Fulfilling the university’s mission takes alumni, academic partners, community supporters, industry experts, and many others to enhance WSU’s local and national impact. Partners are invited to connect, whether for the first time or with renewed energy, to help guide the decisions that move Weber State forward.
Above all, the vision at Weber State involves putting students first and delivering on the promise of higher education for all students and their families.
Mallett brings more than two decades of higher education experience. He’s known for expanding access to higher education, delivering groundbreaking programs and services, and connecting learners to greater economic opportunity.
He spent 25 years helping build two of America's most innovative universities: Western Governors University and Northeastern University. In 2020, Mallett and his colleagues launched Northeastern’s Roux Institute in Portland, Maine — a graduate education, applied research, and entrepreneurship innovation hub now widely recognized as an effective model for how universities can drive regional talent development and economic growth.
Across institutions, Mallett developed and stewarded significant organizational partnerships, philanthropic support, and new governmental funding. He understands the importance of operating a university in a way that aligns with the expectations and reality of today’s learners. He also works regularly with elected officials, civic leaders, and industry experts to advance shared priorities at the intersection of education, workforce, and economic development.
Mallett holds an Ed.D. from Pepperdine University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah, and bachelor’s and associate degrees from Weber State University. He and his wife, Charlet, (who is a Weber State alumna) are the parents of three children.