![]() Her focus on graduation and getting students to “cross the degree finish line,” as she has put it, is what Watkins and those around her point to as the president’s single biggest accomplishment. and the other two have continued on with success.Īdditionally, Watkins created the For Utah Scholarship, which combines federal and state funds to pay for four years of tuition and fees at the U. The Women’s Enrollment Initiative didn’t last long - disbanded a year into Watkin’s tenure - but the efforts overall have been credited with improving graduation rates at the U. She launched several outreach initiatives, including targeted advising programs for freshmen, transfer students and women. It fell slightly again in 2020, to 67%, largely credited to the pandemic. When she first joined the staff as a senior vice president in 2013, 60% of students there were completing a degree, falling far below the school’s companion Pac-12 institutions, which average 80%. When she was inaugurated, Watkins set a goal to increase the six-year graduation rate of the university. In many ways, the job will be a continuation of her efforts at the U. “I believe the work of Strada Impact is more important today than ever before because completing college and securing employment will be especially crucial for millions of young Americans post-pandemic,” Watkins stated in her letter. ![]() The organization also tries to connect graduates with jobs in their field. A lot of that work will center on removing barriers that keep people from accessing higher education, such as race or economic status. In her new position at Strada Impact, Watkins will oversee research and policies that focus on getting more students to complete a college degree. But when you’re as good as Ruth, people come knocking.” ‘Especially crucial’ ![]() She’s been a dear friend and a colleague. While that begins, Woolstenhulme will work immediately with Gardner and the university’s board of trustees to name an interim president who will take the helm until a permanent replacement can be selected.įinding someone who can fill Watkins’ place, though, Woolstenhulme said, with the same fire and dedication and sense of humor, will be difficult. It will be expedited, he added, as much as possible. The process of searching for and selecting a university president typically takes nine months to a year, said Dave Woolstenhulme, the system commissioner. campus of more than 33,000 students, amid challenges in education due to COVID-19. With her exit, the board of regents for the Utah System of Higher Education will be tasked with finding a new leader to oversee the sprawling U. “The Lauren McCluskey murder was horrible and tragic,” Gardner said. ![]() Watkins insisted shortly after the October 2018 murder that there wasn’t “any reason to believe this tragedy could have been prevented,” despite an independent report that flagged widespread problems.īut, Gardner said, the case definitely had an impact on the president overall. Watkins, who was making a salary of $722,902 without benefits, did not take questions following the announcement Tuesday.Ĭhristian Gardner, chairman of the U.’s Board of Trustees, said he didn’t know whether the McCluskey case and continued criticism of how Watkins, in particular, responded to it had led her to resign. The organization, based in Indianapolis, already has her picture prominently displayed on its website. Watkins will be leaving shortly before the end of spring semester to lead Strada Impact, a national education nonprofit that aims to help underserved students complete college. “I offer my deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to the U.’s vital work and success, and who have given me the opportunity to be part of this community,” she wrote. She added that she has a “grateful heart” for her time at the U., including five years as the senior vice president for academic affairs. It collected $2 billion for ongoing research, including on the coronavirus pandemic. The president highlighted, too, her efforts to get the school admitted into the prestigious Association of American Universities and the “One U for Utah” fundraising campaign she launched last year. In a letter to campus, Watkins didn’t mention the case that has become tied to her legacy, though she did briefly acknowledge being proud of the “ongoing work to enhance safety,” including hiring a chief safety officer. ![]()
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