UTAH STATE CAPITOL—Gov. Spencer Cox, the House Speaker, Senate President, Utah’s higher education leadership and all 16 presidents of Utah’s public colleges and universities signed a joint resolution on Jan. 23, reiterating their shared commitment to ensure students have access to a more affordable, quality higher education that will better prepare them for future careers. 

“Our students are the heart of our mission,” the resolution states in part. “We will keep higher education affordable, accessible, and focused on impactful outcomes – preparing graduates to think critically and independently, thrive in the workforce and strengthen their families, communities, and our state.” 

“Over the last several years we’ve made real and meaningful progress,” said Speaker Mike Schultz at the press conference. “Progress that didn't happen by accident and it wasn’t easy as any of us that were involved in it, especially those on the front line, knows.”

At a time when universities in other states are increasingly consumed by social battles, and political conflicts, Utah has made a deliberate choice to lead differently, he said. “We have chosen collaboration over complication. We have chosen reform over rhetoric and we’ve chosen to stay focused on what truly matters, and that’s delivering real opportunities to our students.”

It requires a shared commitment to getting results, said Schultz. “When institutions and policy makers work together, we can be nimble, responsible and forward looking. Utah has long believed that the power of education is a  practical pathway to opportunity, upward mobility and long term prosperity.”

“One of the first things that happened when the pioneer settlers came into these valleys, they decided that they needed to educate our young people and they set up these institutions of higher learning,” said Cox. “The Utah system of higher education has been instrumental in driving economic growth in our state. We’re so proud of producing high yield degrees for a strong workforce, offering affordability with lower student debt than the national average and boosting individual prosperity through higher learning and better health outcomes.”

Gov. Spencer Cox (right) talks to Speaker Mike Schultz (center) and Senate President J. Stuart Adams at the Capitol. Photo courtesy/Utah State House

 Cox said the state needs to prioritize student access by empowering prospective students to take full advantage of admissions, scholarships, financial aid and opportunities to earn college credit during high school. “We can do that. We need to increase timely completion of degrees, awards and industry credentials by mitigating or removing barriers to timely completion.”

“Utah is charting a path forward because our colleges and universities are fueling discovery and shaping what comes next,” said Senate President J. Stuart Adams. “Higher education inspires bold thinking, strengthens our economy through driving breakthroughs and empowers the next generation of leaders, innovators and problem-solvers. This resolution reflects our shared commitment to affordability, academic excellence and ensuring graduates are ready to succeed in the workforce, life and beyond.”

Unified leadership is not the absence of difference, said Utah Commissioner of Higher Education Geoffrey Landward. “When leaders align around a sure purpose, individual strengths are no longer isolated talents but become force multipliers, vision sharpens, trust deepens and momentum accelerates.”

Utah will soon be recognized for pioneering the future of public higher education, he said. “But it will only happen because of the unified leadership here today.”