President’s Council

Chris Mallett

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 spent 25 years helping build two of America's most innovative universities — Western Governors University and Northeastern University — working with talented colleagues to expand access to higher education, deliver pathbreaking programs and services, and connect learners to personal prosperity and economic opportunity.
 
At WGU, he was a member of the founding leadership team that pioneered online, competency-based education at the dawn of the commercial internet. Over 13 years, he helped establish personalized learning programs and methods that have since served more than half a million learners — predominantly working adults and first-generation students pursuing credentials in technology, education, nursing, and business.
 
Over 12 years at Northeastern, Mallett led initiatives that connected the university's teaching, research, and experiential learning programs to regional economies and employers. As senior vice chancellor for regional campuses, he led the launch and growth of six campuses across North America, working closely with university leadership and faculty to build differentiated academic programs relevant to each market. He simultaneously led Northeastern's online experiential learning division, driving robust expansion and growth of the university's online program portfolio.
 
In 2020, Mallett and his colleagues launched Northeastern’s Roux Institute in Portland, Maine — a graduate education, applied research, and entrepreneurship innovation hub developed in close partnership with more than 300 organizations. He served as chief administrative officer. The Roux Institute is now widely recognized as an effective model for how universities can drive regional talent development and economic growth.
 
Across institutions, Mallett has helped develop and steward significant organizational partnerships, philanthropic support, and new governmental funding. He works regularly with elected officials, civic leaders, and industry leaders to advance shared priorities at the intersection of education, workforce, and economic development.

His priorities at Weber State are to focus on experiential learning opportunities, expand partnerships, and keep the university’s shared mission and goals at the forefront. 
 
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 are the parents of three children.

Mark Halverson

Mark Halverson was appointed interim vice president of Information Technology in September 2023 and subsequently appointed vice president of Administrative Services effective July 1, 2025.

He has been with Weber State University since 2007. He has served as the director of Campus Planning & Construction as well as associate vice president for Facilities & Campus Planning. Halverson has more than 20 years of experience in strategic management and leading specialized teams.

Halverson holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Weber State University in business administration. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in higher education administration from Southern Mississippi University.

Betsy Mennell

Betsy Mennell joined Weber State University in August 2019 as the vice president for University Advancement.

Previously, Mennell worked at Northern Arizona University (NAU) for 18 years, most recently as Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement and President of the NAU Foundation. She has more than 20 years of development experience, including United Way/Capital Area, St. Edward’s University (both in Austin, Texas) and Regis University in Denver, Colorado. She has presented on development at the Association of Governing Boards, Association of Fund-Raising Professionals, CASE, Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences Annual Meeting, and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Mennell holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, a M.A. in Human Services from St. Edward’s University, and a B.A. in English Literature and Political Science from Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, Indiana).

Leslie Durham

Dr. Leslie Durham serves as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Weber State University, where she provides executive leadership for academic planning, program quality, faculty excellence, and student progression and completion across the university’s dual-mission portfolio. She shapes and advances the strategic agenda for Academic Affairs, fosters a culture of shared governance, and contributes to university-wide efforts in enrollment management and long-term financial sustainability.

Before joining Weber State, Dr. Durham served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Boise State University. Her leadership is distinguished by a commitment to innovation, collaborative team building, and empowering others to advance student and institutional success. She holds a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Kansas.

Ali Threet

Ali Threet started her role as Weber State’s dean of students in summer 2025 and now serves as interim vice president for Student Access & Success. During her 15 years of higher education leadership experience, including a recent role as assistant vice president and dean of students at Utah Tech University, she has been known for her commitment to a welcoming environment, collaboration, and student success.

Jason Francis

Jason Francis is the 2022-23 Faculty Senate Chair, as well as an associate professor and librarian for Weber State University.

Francis holds an MLS degree from the University of North Texas, and a bachelor’s degree from Weber State. He has been at WSU for more than 28 years, holding various positions throughout that time.

As a member of Weber State’s digital literacy task force, he has implemented digital assignments into information literacy instruction. He also passionately advocates for accessibility accommodations for all students, which has informed his research as a faculty member. He has received two Hemingway Collaborative awards for his research, as well as having his work featured in Medical Reference Services Quarterly.