Leading the Way

Jaime Winston BA ’22, Marketing & Communications

Weber State welcomes Interim President Leslie Durham and four new leaders to guide key areas of campus.

Interim WSU President

Leslie Durham became interim WSU president following the recent departure of former WSU president Brad Mortensen. Durham, who previously served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Boise State University, initially joined Weber State as provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs. Among her successes at Boise State, Durham launched four new academic programs and three new schools within her college. WSU’s student-focused mission brought her to Utah. “I see Weber State thriving despite the challenges due to its deep commitment to student success,” she said. “It’s a big deal moving to Utah from Boise State because I’ve been there for 24 years, so only a place as special as Weber State could convince me to pull up those deep roots.”

Vice President of Administrative Services

Mark Halverson, who has held leadership roles at WSU in facilities management, campus planning, and information technology, was selected as the new vice president of Administrative Services in July 2025. In his new role, Halverson oversees essential administrative functions, including information technology, financial services, facilities management, public safety, human resources, and athletics. “Administrative Services has some amazing people supporting our faculty and staff,” he said. “My wish is to continuously improve this support so they can continue to make Weber State great.”

Interim Vice President of Student Access & Success

Ali Threet became the interim vice president of Student Access & Success following the recent departure of former vice president Jessica Oyler. She arrived at Weber State last summer as dean of students. During her more than 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. “My primary goal for students at WSU is to ensure that every student feels like they belong,” Threet said. “I love spending time with students, asking them questions, and getting to know their various circumstances and what’s happening in their lives.

Dean of the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology

Brian Rague assumed the role of dean of the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology in July 2025. Rague, who brings more than 21 years of experience guiding and promoting Weber State to the role, previously served as associate dean of EAST and chair of the Department of Computer Science. As dean, Rague oversees seven academic programs, nine college centers, 100 faculty members, 30 staff members, and about 3,200 student majors. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have interacted with quite a few folks across the university,” Rague said. “And everyone is invested in student success across the board, so I’m excited to leverage that existing camaraderie.”

Dean of the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics

Jeremy Oller, WSU’s new John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics dean, previously served as dean of the College of Business at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he led initiatives to strengthen academic quality, student engagement, and industry partnerships. Oller was drawn to WSU’s commitment to student success and high-quality staff and faculty. “The Goddard School is already doing a great job, so what I’m hoping to bring is excitement and the ability to keep the momentum going,” he said. “I see the Goddard School’s vision, and I know we can be known as a top regional school in the western United States.”