USU-Brigham City's Dean & Executive Director Tom Lee to Take on New University Role
Dean and Executive Director Tom Lee is transitioning into a new role at Utah State University (USU), leaving a legacy that will continue to impact the communities he worked with for many years to come. Over the past ten years, the USU-Brigham City Region has had a large increase in students looking to better their lives through a college education. To support this growth, Lee and university administrators looked for solutions to develop facilities that would sustain the influx.
Lee led building projects for USU-Kaysville and USU-Tremonton in 2011, USU-Brigham City in 2015, and Kaysville’s second phase in 2018. Establishing strong relationships with local organizations for support was paramount to each location’s success.
“It was clear we needed newer, bigger buildings to ensure students were getting the high-quality education they were looking for and deserved,” said Lee. “One of the biggest road blocks we ran into was funding. With each location, we relied heavily on community support.”
For example, Brigham City bonded for half the cost for that area’s new building, and USU administration obtained state funding for the other half by working hard over three legislative sessions. Lee was fully involved, meeting regularly with local leaders, state legislators, and other university leadership. The second phase of the Kaysville building was also possible because of the great support from the Davis County commissioners and their local state representatives.
“The work that went into making sure each of these buildings were completed, from just an idea to a finished product, was a lot of hard work. But, seeing the success of our students made it worthwhile,” said Lee. “Student success is the major driving factor for all faculty and staff throughout USU’s regional campus system.”
A factor in the increased enrollments throughout USU’s regional campuses has been the increase in degree offerings throughout the State of Utah. Lee worked hand-in-hand with Bridgerland Technical College (BTech) and USU’s School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education to create the stackable credentials program wherein BTech students can apply their certificates toward an associate degree at USU, paving a clear and smooth pathway to a college degree. In addition, Lee has extensive experience in family, consumer, and human development (FCHD), and spent many years developing FCHD programs and curriculum. He played a major role in launching the fully online Bachelor of Family Life Studies, which continues to grow statewide and nationally.
Lee was presented with a plaque at USU-Brigham City’s commencement on behalf of USU for his many years of service. “This plaque is in thanks for the staff, faculty and all of the students that he has touched as dean and executive director,” said President Noelle Cockett. “His legacy will be felt for generations by all the graduates who have taken classes at our Brigham City, Tremonton and Kaysville centers.”
Leveraging his experience creating degrees and programs, Lee will begin serving as the director of academic programs for regional campuses and USU Eastern starting July 1. USU-Brigham City named Dr. Dan Black as their new executive director, which will take effect June 1.
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