CEDAR CITY, Utah — Southern Utah University has officially found its new president.

Mindy Benson was selected by the Utah Board of Higher Education Friday to become the 17th president of the university.

The announcement was made during a public meeting in the Great Hall of the Hunter Alumni Center.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be selected by the Utah Board of Higher Education as the next president of Southern Utah University,” Benson said. “I’m thrilled to serve in this leadership role and continue working with our extraordinary faculty, staff, students, community and alumni. SUU is a remarkable place built on 125 years of transformative educational experiences and community partnership. I’m so grateful to those who came before and am excited to be a part of SUU’s bright future.”

Benson beat out Mablene Krueger and Alan Utter to earn the title.

Before the announcement, Benson served as the interim president of Southern Utah University. Prior to that, she served as vice president of alumni and community relations at SUU for eight years.

In 1994, she graduated from SUU with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology. Fourteen years later, she earned a master’s degree in Professional Communication.

Benson succeeds Scott L. Wyatt, who served as president from January 2014 to July 2021.

The first female president in SUU history. ❤️🖤 @Mindy_Benson #TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/UCefHFsAiG

— Southern Utah University | Celebrating 125 Years (@SUUtbirds) July 16, 2022