President Scott L Wyatt 
President | Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT, UNITED STATES
A leader in higher education specializing in creating transformative learning experiences and achieving high-quality outcomes.
Spotlight
Biography
Scott L Wyatt is Southern Utah University’s 16th president. His priorities for SUU are summarized in the University’s new vision statement: “Southern Utah University will receive national recognition for its innovations in learning, student success, and providing the best educational experience in the Intermountain West.”
During his time at the university, SUU has led Utah’s colleges and universities in student enrollment growth, launched the University of the Parks initiative, opened a new veterans center, started a center for diversity and inclusion, and seen the construction or acquisition of more than $60 million worth of capital improvement projects.
Prior to his appointment at SUU, Wyatt served as president of Snow College, in Ephraim, Utah. Before that he was a member of the Utah House of Representatives, a partner in the Logan, Utah law firm, Daines, Wyatt & Jenkins, LLP., and the Cache County Attorney. His pubic practice focused on prosecuting homicide, domestic violence, and sexual violence cases, along with leading victim services and educational programs.
President Wyatt spends most of his time supporting students, staff, and faculty, as they explore diverse ideas, create transformative learning experiences, and achieve high-quality outcomes. Wyatt earned a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University, with a dual major in philosophy and economics. His J.D. is from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.
Media
Publications:
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Industry Expertise (7)
Government Administration
Legislative Office
Fund-Raising
Writing and Editing
Research
Legal Services
Education/Learning
Areas of Expertise (21)
Organizational Changes in Higher Education
Dual Enrollment in Higher Education
Law
Campaigns and Elections
American National Government
Domestic Violence (Partner and Victim)
Sexual Violence
Enrollment Planning
Ethics
Education Research
Higher Education Administration
General Education Reform
Legal Practice
Strategic Planning
Fundraising and Business Development
Academic & Administrative Leadership
Dating Violence
State and Local Government
Higher Education Policy
University Campus Safety
Student Success Strategies
Accomplishments (15)
Outstanding Experiential Education Program Award
National Society for Experiential Education
Crime Victims Service Award (professional)
Utah Council on Victims of Crime and Utah Commission of Criminal and Juvenile Justice
Governor's Leadership in the Arts Award
Utah Division of Arts and Museums 2017
Professor of Political Science, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah, 2015-present (professional)
Faculty appointment in the Political Science Department.
President, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah, 2014–present (professional)
Serves as CEO of a state university. Faculty appointment in the Political Science Department.
President, Snow College, Ephraim, Utah, 2007–2014 (professional)
Served as CEO of state, two-year college with multiple campuses.
Representative, Utah State Legislature, District 5, 2005-2007 (professional)
Standing Committees: House Political Subdivisions Committee, Judiciary Committee, House Business and Labor Committee, and Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Instructor, Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative, American Bar Association, 2005 (professional)
Taught seminars to trial and appellate court judges throughout western Ukraine to assist members of the judiciary in the former Soviet Union implement democratic principles into their practices and constitutional revision efforts
Partner, Daines & Wyatt, LLP, 2002-2007, 1990-2004 (professional)
Managed private law firm, consulted with local government officials regarding management and public relations matters and provided legal counsel to cities, towns, businesses, and individuals.
Candidate, United States House of Representative, 2002 (professional)
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Silver Gavel Award for Media and the Arts (professional)
With KSL-TV Salt Lake City, Utah for the documentary entitled, “It’s Called Rape.”, American Bar Association, 1999
County Attorney, Cache County, Utah, 1995-2002 (professional)
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Member, Snow College Board of Trustees, Ephraim, Utah 1993-2005 (professional)
Served as a member of the advisory board with delegated governing Responsibilities.
City Attorney, 1990-2007 (professional)
Served as City Attorney for several cities and towns
Campaign Volunteer, 1976-2006 (professional)
Managed or consulted with approximately 20 national, state and local campaigns, including Republican and Democratic candidates
Education (2)
Utah State University: B.S., Philosophy & Economics
University of Utah: J.D., Law
Affiliations (12)
- Big Sky Athletic Conference
- Bear River Mental Health Board of Directors, 2003-07
- Cache County Victim Services
- Curriculum Development Committee, The National Institute for the Prosecution of Sexual Violence, American Prosecutors Research Institute, 2004-2007
- Experiential Learning Leadership Institute
- National Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence, 2006-2008
- National Society for Experiential Education
- Serious Misconduct Taskforce, Big Sky Conference, NCAA
- United States Supreme Court Bar, 1993-present
- Utah State Bar, 1990-present
- Utah System of Higher Education
- Violence Against Women Act Measuring Effectiveness Initiative Project Advisory Committee, University of Southern Maine, 2000-2002
Links (4)
Media Appearances (24)
Southern Utah University to teach students how to run a no-kill animal shelter
The Salt Lake Tribune online
2019-12-10
“Our goal is to help strengthen the quality of the education and deliver credit in a format that’s helpful to all of the students who want to be engaged in this great mission,” President Scott Wyatt added. “Perhaps this will even evolve into a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in animal services in the future.”
As longest standing university president in Utah, SUU's Scott Wyatt focuses on innovation
St George News online
2019-03-15
Wyatt is driven to improve the student experience through innovative programs, growth and reputation. In the five years that he has served as the university’s president, SUU has added several new degree programs, developed unique partnerships, increased online offerings, received numerous accolades and created exciting initiatives that put the student experience first.
SUU approves creation of new college for expanding aviation program
KUTV online
2019-09-30
“We are committed to helping address the national and global shortage of pilots and technicians,” stated Scott L. Wyatt, President of Southern Utah University. “The creation of this college will help us focus on building the best quality program possible to meet the needs of the aerospace industry.”
Ending Tuition Unfairness for Online (and Part-Time) Student
Inside Higher Ed online
2019-08-28
Most of Southern Utah's part-time students study online, where the anytime, anywhere nature of the course delivery meshes better with lives complicated by work, family and other responsibilities. And the overwhelmingly majority of the university's online students -- upward of 90 percent -- are taking fewer than 12 credits, with the average being seven. "In reality, by the time they get a bachelor's degree done, they have paid considerably more than the face-to-face student," Wyatt says.
Regents vote to cut SUU tuition for online-only undergrad programs by 23%
KSL online
2019-08-02
"We're expanding online to help people finish, and we're pricing it appropriately," President Wyatt said.
Regents vote to cut SUU tuition for online-only undergrad programs by 23%
Deseret News online
2019-08-02
About 9% of SUU students attend exclusively online, according to SUU President Scott Wyatt.
After a scathing report, Utah’s colleges are requesting some of the lowest tuition increases in a decade
The Salt Lake Tribune online
2019-03-28
The school has modest growth in its student population and decided to restructure to find money for staff pay, said President Scott Wyatt.
Marshall, Southern Utah University agree to explore aviation degree options
Herald Dsipatch online
2019-02-28
Marshall University and Southern Utah University have signed a memorandum of agreement to cooperate in exploring options to jointly offer a four-year bachelor’s degree in aviation to teach students to fly helicopters, Marshall announced Thursday.
Upcoming Guests on Solutions for Higher Education with President Scott L Wyatt
SUU University News online
2019-01-23
With over 40 episodes produced, the Solutions for Higher Education with President Scott L Wyatt podcast provides a meaningful and insightful dialogue with varying topics.
Southern Utah University President Scott Wyatt Talks About Tackling his First Ultra for a Good Cause
Ultraspire online
2018-10-18
What is a good way to test what you are made of? Maybe a 7 day, 6 stage, 170 mile, fully self-supported race called the Grand to Grand would be a good option to do so right? Southern Utah University President Scott Wyatt, Johnny Oh, and Bill Heyborne took on this exact scenario for a great cause.
SUU president Embarks on 170-mile 'Grand to Grand' Run for Campus Childcare Center
Deseret News online
2018-09-23
Southern Utah University President Scott Wyatt on Sunday embarked on a 170-mile, seven-day run through the Grand Canyon that culminates at the summit of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
SUU President to Run 170 Miles to Raise Money for On-Campus Day Care Center
St. George News online
2018-09-07
One of the participants in this year’s race is Scott Wyatt, the 57-year-old president of Southern Utah University. Wyatt is running the race with two other faculty members at SUU to raise money for the construction of a on-campus day care for students’ children.
College Presidents Land a New Gig: Podcasting
The Chronicle of Higher Education online
2018-08-16
As it turned out, the president’s office made for a terrible recording studio. Air conditioning whirred. The floors of the building, dedicated in 1898, creaked. And the walls were thin enough to hear noises from surrounding rooms.
So Scott L. Wyatt, Southern Utah University’s president, moved the makeshift podcast studio to a "small, junky" bedroom in a midcentury house adjacent to the campus, in Cedar City. Nobody was around. He could turn off the fan.
SUU Breaks Ground New Business Building
The Spectrum print
2017-04-27
Southern Utah University broke ground for its new 42,000-square-foot business Thursday.
But the start of the construction for the long anticipated $16 million project wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the community – both in Cedar City and throughout the entire state.
Southern Utah University buys 10 Cirrus SR20s
General Aviation News online
2017-03-14
“Globally, the aviation industry is expanding rapidly and the demand for qualified pilots is high,” said SUU President Scott L Wyatt. “The addition of the Cirrus aircraft will elevate our program by offering the most advanced and safest training available in the world.”
Love Shakespeare and great scenery? Utah Shakespeare fest is just the ticket
LA Times print
2016-08-11
Ambition and execution were front and center in July in southwest Utah: After a lengthy fundraising effort the festival invigorated an existing arts campus, building a new indoor theater, a second, outdoor replacement Elizabethan theater, adding about 80,000 feet including increased backstage, rehearsal and administrative space. There is a new art museum, too.
SUU Files Trademark On Title ‘University Of The Parks’
Gephardt Daily online
2016-02-20
“With so many young people suffering from nature deficit disorder, our stunning location, our partnerships with the national parks, our academic focus which includes the outdoors, and our designation as the ‘most outdoorsy’ school in the nation, it made sense to trademark the name,” Wyatt said in the statement.
SUU Wins National Experiential Learning Award
USA Today online
2015-09-21
“Our project based learning program has taken an enormous amount of work over the last five years and I m extremely proud of what our faculty and staff have accomplished,” said SUU President Scott Wyatt. “Our students and their future employers are the beneficiaries.
General education gets a makeover at Utah university
Inside Higher Ed print
2015-11-06
The way most colleges teach general education to undergraduates is hopelessly broken, according to a group of professors and administrators at Southern Utah University.
Southern Utah University is the pride of Cedar City
ABC 4 tv
2014-06-14
SUU President Scott Wyatt sums up the mission of his University, "It is just the ideal setting and the student and facility members to learn and have a great experience."
Expect big things from Wyatt
Citizen-Times online
2014-12-26
General education: the bane of college existence, the thorn in the rose that is undergraduate school. I’ve seen many approaches to the subject but never one as innovative as what Southern Utah University President Scott L. Wyatt plans to institute in Cedar City next fall — an approach that is truly impressive and leaves me envious of the freshman class of 2015.
Southern Utah University chooses Scott Wyatt as next president
KSL tv
2013-11-23
Snow College President Scott Wyatt is poised to trade in his Badgers gear for Thunderbirds memorabilia after being tapped Friday for the top job at Southern Utah University.
President's Podcast Episode 46
SUU President's Podcast online
In episode 46, President Scott L Wyatt and Professor Steve Meredith invite Sam and Doug Cardon to discuss the PBS special "Innovators," made here in Utah 25 years ago. Sam Cardon composed the music for the special with the goal of celebrating innovators throughout history.
President's Podcast Episode 42
SUU President's Podcast online
In episode 42, President Scott L Wyatt and Professor Steve Meredith invite serial entrepreneurs Rich Christensen and Alan Hall to discuss how the strategies they use to start businesses are similar to strategies higher education administrators use to grow university programs and resources.
Articles (2)
Scott L Wyatt
2017-12-05
It is my pleasure to announce Southern Utah University has hired its first Chief Diversity Officer; her name is Dr. Schvalla Rivera. Dr. Rivera comes to us with a wide range of experience working with students, faculty, and staff. A separate press release will be sent out introducing her to you. She will begin working with us next month and will report to me as a member of the President’s Council.
Scott L Wyatt
2017-08-19
When I was about 8 years old my father and I went on our first overnight hike into the mountains above our home in Cache Valley. I remember being so very excited for my first backpacking trip with dad. We loaded up our packs with sleeping bags, a tent, food and water, snacks, and every other little thing we needed, and drove up Logan Canyon to a place called Tony’s Grove, where we parked our car and started walking up the trail to the summit ridge.
Courses (6)
Civil War to Civil Rights
Honors Course
The Writings and Speeches of Abraham Lincoln
Honors Course
POLS 1100 American National Government
Source of democratic ideas and principles of the constitutional system. Cultural, group, party and governmental influences on the process of public policymaking. The administration and impact of public policy.
POLS 3120 Courts
Examination of law, courts, judges, the legal profession and their roles in the larger political system with an emphasis on judicial processes, U.S. courts compared to other nations, and current issues surrounding the legal system.
TEAL 6740 School Law
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PHIL 3400 Mind, Language, and Reality
This course examines issues in metaphysics. Topics include causation, determinism, consciousness, artificial intelligence, language, and reality.
