[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6142627,"mediaKeyId","5556793-79227f1a886da1362f6db1aa5bf6a876","parentId",5556793,"title","Senate committee forwards Steve Miller to University of Utah Board of Trustees","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3586540,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556793-79227f1a886da1362f6db1aa5bf6a876&start=3586&end=3586","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556793-79227f1a886da1362f6db1aa5bf6a876/thumbnail_3586540.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6142627/Utah/Senate-committee-forwards-Steve-Miller-to-University-of-Utah-Board-of-Trustees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142627-2851ef3f38c7572120a1d4e6b85b9322/orig.mp4?Expires=1770406312&Signature=KFb8mWM-qqTyieaynHPZ3NPXHUN~CQOU-ybVvdPlv1GBy9jiQ8mn2Dy8sNNIoicFBrrg4LOaKRh4FOyGGXFlZNWI7c-tYj~zbIKa6vnl3MEzlMrqGyxCNPvtUNGKGdWENHyPwVl5nT6-uqKU7edZUlarOA7BvARrgIF9A~d2OZpAeTW57IB7k-Il3~ne5R5oP3GSmfOrgjD3i81Vi2LWD2AhVaWYgnCHygDMxp2awSRJNzuOWmntMVeWdjFNOMyHGQuiwnGX4-TS5pLcAKTfjB28O2yOi7f-2n~fo5gmGTa7m261VSWY5r9VdmBerauyjU7-2loSJjDoPUU23uJAQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-08-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Education Confirmation Committee on Thursday voted unanimously to forward Steve Miller to the full Utah Senate with a favorable recommendation for appointment to the University of Utah Board of Trustees.

Steve Miller, nominee for the University of Utah Board of Trustees and chairman of the board of the Larry H. Miller Company, told the committee he and his family are University of Utah alumni and that \"education is one of the most powerful forces for good in society.\" Miller said he would bring a \"trustee mindset rooted in stewardship, collaboration, and long-term thinking\" and described a commitment to objective, evidence-based governance.

Senators asked Miller how he would guard academic autonomy and avoid politicized decision-making. Miller said he studies issues deeply, seeks varying perspectives and prioritizes evidence over politics. \"I'm not concerned about aisles or politics. I'm concerned about issues,\" he told the committee.

Why it matters: The University of Utah is a major research university and employer in the state; board appointments shape oversight for academic programs, research priorities and institutional strategy.

Committee action and next steps: Senator Baldry moved to forward the nomination; the committee approved the motion unanimously. The nomination will be scheduled for full Senate consideration.

Discussion vs. decision: Committee discussion centered on governance, academic autonomy and athletic-related financial questions; the formal committee decision was to forward the nomination to the full Senate for confirmation. No budget or policy changes were enacted at the committee level.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education Confirmation Committee - August 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Education Confirmation Committee unanimously recommended Steve Miller to the full Utah Senate for appointment to the University of Utah Board of Trustees; Miller emphasized stewardship, evidence-based decision making and support for the university's academic and research missions.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6142632,"Committee unanimously forwards Katie Wankier and Darren Bird as Southern Utah University trustees",1344,2114230,3458480,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556793-79227f1a886da1362f6db1aa5bf6a876&start=2114&end=3458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556793-79227f1a886da1362f6db1aa5bf6a876/thumbnail_2114230.jpg","/articles/6142632/Utah/Committee-unanimously-forwards-Katie-Wankier-and-Darren-Bird-as-Southern-Utah-University-trustees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142632-32c78c9a5068a5af8b1084b8bc0b8cbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770406312&Signature=C8MF6xOoN~-KGPew0NYb~obkkokbFFYZZNEVloWyVPED6zN~od5yCYSOoj-JJQFZqU6yYaG-JT6TCT5O5NhQ9zJ3tafS0Cy4~1hwBK1cMnoaSbG-FfNyDGmAYqhzM6f~XVx~fj1dU4V65c3JapUVTmChQEUo0dJNaRKcXtxw6AZQHZpapum63bPfjpxcrhkbVPvoqNl3wF2jbkT6sFDliLq4Oezpti554svjOjlzUncrqy0vpi1KFVc64kc4POqkemn1qf1GNLT~bMr7LeIVevZv35dJTUTcWgmtE2U7MQxnqO23ciIylyLkFzd9W~7oMPn9-RXKY0HaY3i8H9KyYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Confirmation Committee on Thursday unanimously recommended two nominees — Katie Wankier and Darren Bird — to the full Utah Senate for appointment to the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees.

Katie Wankier, nominee and SUU alumna, said serving as an SUU trustee would be \"about stewardship and aligning our vision with action.\" Wankier described her background as a registered nurse turned local business owner and said SUU \"plays a critical role in the vitality of our rural communities.\"

Darren Bird, nominee and SUU alumnus, told the committee SUU gave him confidence and launched a career in public service. Bird said trustees should help SUU remain nimble and preserve the university's individualized attention for students. \"I think what we need to do... is to be nimble and understand the changing workforce,\" he said.

Why it matters: Southern Utah University serves many rural and first-generation students. Both nominees emphasized expanding access, strengthening local workforce pipelines and supporting individualized student advising.

Committee action and next steps: Senator Baldry moved to forward Katie Wankier; the committee approved the motion unanimously. Baldry also moved to forward Darren Bird; that motion likewise passed unanimously. The nominations will be placed on the full Senate calendar for confirmation votes.

Discussion vs. decision: Committee discussion focused on student access, educator resources and local economic ties; the committee's formal action was to forward the nominations. No policy or budget items were adopted during these confirmations.","Senate Education Committee members unanimously recommended two nominees, Katie Wankier and Darren Bird, to the full Senate for appointment to the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees after nominees described ties to SUU, student access priorities and rural-student support.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6142637,"Committee forwards Arthur Newell and Don Sterling for Salt Lake Community College trusteeships",792,1054770,1847470,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556793-79227f1a886da1362f6db1aa5bf6a876&start=1054&end=1847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556793-79227f1a886da1362f6db1aa5bf6a876/thumbnail_1054770.jpg","/articles/6142637/Utah/Committee-forwards-Arthur-Newell-and-Don-Sterling-for-Salt-Lake-Community-College-trusteeships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142637-45e104dd027925a439f5cb136fa207d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770406312&Signature=iYz8Cs0mJidmmnITpBD83ydAECcXrz9wKM5Md6O8QRQSTghrLwM6cPXsvLC3cZaSUBq-AO-fgQfdf2Gfy1C57CS488lhnEItWNqWOUuUKaeGWb17KSPSEN73A03IqJfw1yCE33~s-sjlLsDP9Fzi3kD8-c9tNclSlv649R9e6bA-Jmp-QVlzW965CDtcriHT55xvDI0866DAUwpnoKgUoXEQLfg-RCCEVXMu4Rxt3Y9v2l3qj7f-LsrIR1a2dZqP9eF6art0nUHiXBC8FQCMgAORbk0OnibxV42B73VeC4rpJDHqXhdXtkKUUnhepEjmEXN4R1bUKOichOULioIXyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utah Senate Education Confirmation Committee on Thursday voted unanimously to forward Arthur Newell and Don Sterling to the full Senate with favorable recommendations for appointment to the Salt Lake Community College Board of Trustees.

Arthur Newell, nominee for the Salt Lake Community College Board of Trustees, described a long record in technical and higher education governance. \"Education is a very important part of our economy,\" Newell told the committee, citing prior service on the state board of technical education and other local boards.

Don Sterling, nominee for the Salt Lake Community College Board of Trustees and executive director of the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation, told senators he wants to expand access and help students navigate enrollment barriers. \"One of the things we've seen is the power of navigators,\" Sterling said, describing programs that connect outreach workers with potential students to explain registration and financial aid processes.

Why it matters: Salt Lake Community College serves a broad range of students, including returning adults and first-generation college students; nominees emphasized workforce-oriented training and outreach to underserved communities.

Committee action and next steps: Senator Baldry moved that the committee recommend Arthur Newell to the full Senate; the motion passed unanimously. A motion to forward Don Sterling likewise passed unanimously. Both nominations will proceed to the full Senate for confirmation consideration.

Discussion vs. decision: Committee exchanges with nominees were discussion; formal committee actions were the motions to forward the nominations. No new funding or policy directives were adopted during the items.","The Senate Education Confirmation Committee unanimously recommended Arthur Newell and Don Sterling to the full Senate for appointment to the Salt Lake Community College Board of Trustees after nominees described experience in technical education, workforce development and student navigation programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6142642,"Senate committee recommends Brad Wilson and Ally Isom to Weber State Board of Trustees",175,147150,323140,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556793-79227f1a886da1362f6db1aa5bf6a876&start=147&end=323","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556793-79227f1a886da1362f6db1aa5bf6a876/thumbnail_147150.jpg","/articles/6142642/Utah/Senate-committee-recommends-Brad-Wilson-and-Ally-Isom-to-Weber-State-Board-of-Trustees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142642-0023c8bca8a7646cfb2c7a8bb29eff4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770406312&Signature=ozbNR6n9VSyarH8KJwXRKei7uyAzq983gEEZGE2l3ro1EeaWFsDOzk~4afbLkXq~1DIC9uLfh1timWRuyKDarPfwp0gRKx4uW8cCO1b7uVy0zrjG9Vbtle4-Hs2NRcKi9K5NaiJZ-KwDlC-i8KiJm840moDyVepKw~onA5Te5LzccKTjRlDh2RIwuAJbMxpckXg4B8Z3jgzip4HfRMqDHBVpYVfw4p8LpV8u6gG3V0-9F8Ix6sF0yz4uoLZCVHo38LLPYJGJEIcku7yA-8hxEfN1Rnl5eXbCVseG8N6WmMfI6LtmN4TVBrVwN~ZKoMuF181CAf1y8VRZj1WUcdE8xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Confirmation Committee on Thursday voted to forward two nominees — Brad Wilson and Ally Isom — to the full Utah Senate with favorable recommendations for appointment to the Weber State University Board of Trustees.

Brad Wilson, nominee for the Weber State University Board of Trustees, told the committee he graduated from Weber State and described a long career in finance and real estate development and prior public service. \"I love the state. I love Weber State and the experience that it gave me,\" Wilson said, adding that two of his three children have attended Weber State. He said trustees should ensure programs \"are being responsive to what the economy and the community needs.\"

The committee also heard from Ally Isom, nominee for the Weber State Board of Trustees and chief marketing and external affairs officer at Clyde Companies. \"What compels me to be sitting before you today is my belief that the whole of our community is benefited and even blessed by an educated electorate,\" Isom said, noting her work on workforce alignment and her role as chair of the Utah Behavioral Health Commission. She told senators she can contribute on student success and behavioral-health supports for young adults.

Why it matters: Trustees approve institutional strategy and oversight for program approvals and campus priorities. Both nominees emphasized aligning Weber State programs with workforce needs and maintaining student-centered services.

Committee action and next steps: Senator Mulderry moved that the committee recommend Brad Wilson to the full Senate for confirmation; the motion passed with unanimous ayes. Senator Baldry moved that the committee recommend Ally Isom to the full Senate; that motion also passed unanimously. The committee did not take final confirmation votes; both nominations will be considered by the full Senate.

Discussion vs. decision: Committee remarks and nominee answers comprised discussion and candidate statements; the recorded committee actions were motions to forward both nominees with favorable recommendations to the full Senate. No other formal directives or policy changes were adopted by the committee during these items.

Background and context: Committee members asked nominees about the evolving role of trustees and institutions' responsibilities in approving and sunsetting programs. Wilson and Isom each said trustees should protect institutional autonomy while ensuring programs meet state workforce and community needs. Isom also emphasized mental-health supports for students as an area where trustees could coordinate with state policy.","The Utah Senate Education Confirmation Committee voted unanimously to forward Weber State University trustee nominees Brad Wilson and Ally Isom to the full Senate with favorable recommendations after brief interviews focused on governance, student success and workforce alignment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee forwards Steve Miller to University of Utah Board of Trustees

Committee unanimously forwards Katie Wankier and Darren Bird as Southern Utah University trustees

Committee forwards Arthur Newell and Don Sterling for Salt Lake Community College trusteeships

Senate committee recommends Brad Wilson and Ally Isom to Weber State Board of Trustees