USU-UB Professor Named Vice Provost for USU

Utah Carnegie Professor Rich Etchberger has recently been named Vice Provost for Utah State University. Etchberger, a wildlife science professor for USU-Uintah Basin since 1995, will begin his new role this January with plans to move to Logan in July.

“Etchberger’s dedication to teaching, student success and the USU community are paramount,” said Noelle Cockett, USU’s President. “We are looking forward to having his unique perspective on engaging students throughout the regional campus system while also supporting faculty development and advancement throughout the state.”

Etchberger’s teaching has given him many accolades over the years, including being named the 2015 Carnegie Professor for the state of Utah and the 2014 Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year for the USU College of Natural Resources at USU. In 2011, Etchberger was awarded the Professor of the Year for USU-Uintah Basin. He received a bachelor’s in ecology from Unity College in Maine followed by a master’s and doctorate in wildlife ecology from the University of Arizona. In 2014, Etchberger mentored David Baird, a USU-Uintah Basin wildlife science student, helping Baird earn the University Undergraduate Researcher title at the USU Robins Awards.

“For over 20 years I have focused on helping USU students to be successful and to achieve their goals. With this new opportunity, I am excited to be working with our regional campus faculty to continue their pursuit of excellence,” Etchberger said. “I am very honored to be a part of President Cockett’s team and look forward to supporting her vision for USU’s regional campuses.”

Etchberger has received 65 grants with more than $5 million in funding to help support more than 300 undergraduate research and internship students during his time with the university. His undergraduate researchers have published in peer reviewed journals and presented at 26 professional meetings.

As a pioneer of eLearning at USU, Etchberger’s online courses have helped bridge the divide between traditional pedagogy and innovative instructional design. He is most famous among students for his online course, USU 1350 Integrated Life Science, which was one of the first online courses offered in support of the USU general education program in 2002.