The State Board of Regents, Friday selected Dr. Matthew S.
Holland as the 6th president of Utah Valley University (UVU). He is an
associate professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University.
Dr. Holland will assume his duties July 1, 2009. He succeeds President
William Sederburg, who was named Commissioner of Higher Education in
August 2008. Dr. Elizabeth Hitch has been serving as the interim
president.
Dr. Holland’s selection comes after an extensive national search which
considered 46 applicants representing 21 states. A search committee
comprised of 16 individuals representing the Regents, UVU Trustees,
faculty, staff, students, and community members selected three finalists
who were announced Wednesday, March 4.
“I would like to thank Interim President Hitch for the strong leadership
she has provided to Utah Valley University,” said Board of Regents Chair
Jed Pitcher. “UVU plays an important role as a comprehensive regional
university in the state. The institution is critical in training our
future workforce and providing educated citizenry to the growing economy
in this area of our state. Dr. Holland will enhance the partnerships
that exist between UVU and stakeholders in the community. He will ensure
that UVU’s students receive a quality educational experience at the
state’s newest regional university.”
In accepting this appointment Dr. Holland said, “We are absolutely
honored and thrilled by this appointment. This is institution plays a
vital role in a community and state we care about deeply. We look
forward to throwing all the energy we have in serving the UVU Community
well.”
“As former president of UVU I welcome Dr. Holland as the next
president of an institution that is personally dear to me,” commented
Commissioner Sederburg. “I am excited to introduce Dr. Holland to the
UVU community.”
Dr. Holland has held several leadership positions in higher education.
He currently serves as the chairman of the American Heritage Faculty
Group at BYU, and was the associate director of BYU’s London Study
Abroad Program in 2008. Dr. Holland has taught a variety of courses
including American Heritage, Modern Political Philosophy, and Public
Ethics. Since 1996, Dr. Holland has worked as a part- time independent
management consultant. He also worked as a special assistant to Governor
Michael O. Leavitt from 1992 to 1994 and as Chief of Staff to the CEO of
the Monitor Group in Cambridge, Massachusetts from 1992 to 1994.
Dr. Holland holds doctorate and master’s degrees in political science
from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from
BYU. From 2005- 2006, he served as a Fellow in the James Madison Program
in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, and as the
Raoul Wallenberg Scholar at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1991.
Dr. Holland’s work has been published in several articles, books, and
presentations. He has also received several professional awards and
recognitions. He and his wife, Paige, are the parents of four children
Jake (11), Mitzi (9), Grace (6), and Daniel (3).
