The following is a press release from the Utah System of Higher Education:
ST. GEORGE, Utah — The Board of Regents have selected Dr. Richard “Biff” Williams as the 18th President of Dixie State University. Williams will succeed Dr. Stephen Nadauld, who is retiring after a long, storied career in higher education.
“Dr. Richard Williams brings extensive experience and a high level of professionalism that will be an asset to Dixie State University and the Utah System of Higher Education as a whole,” said Dan Campbell, Chair of the Board of Regents. “I am confident in President Williams’ ability to effectively lead Dixie State University, and I believe he is the right president for this institution,” added Dave Buhler, Utah Commissioner of Higher Education.
A 22-member Presidential Search Committee, chaired by Regent Wilford Clyde, narrowed the list down from an applicant pool of over 40 to the three finalists announced last week after conducting an extensive nationwide search. The finalists went through an in-depth screening process and two days of interviews with representatives from DSU’s faculty, staff, students, and administration, as well as interviews with the Board of Regents.
“I am honored to take the helm at Dixie State University, and look forward to guiding the institution through this next phase of development and growth,” said President Williams. “I am eager to get to know DSU’s talented faculty, administration, trustees, staff and students, and work closely with them to ensure we stay on the positive trajectory set by President Nadauld’s sure hand. I will do all I can to make sure that DSU remains a university where students can receive a high-quality, affordable education, and also continues to be an asset to both the St. George region and Utah as a whole.”
Dr. Richard “Biff” Williams has served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Indiana State University since 2013. Prior to this, Dr. Williams served as the founding Dean of the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services at Indiana State University. As Dean, Williams led the development of six new degree programs designed to address the state’s critical shortage of healthcare workers. Previously a faculty member at the University of Northern Iowa, he served in roles such as Associate Dean of the College of Education, Executive Associate Director of the School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services, Chair of the Division of Athletic Training, and program director. At Northern Iowa he helped create a private-public partnership between the local hospital, medical community, and university that resulted in the construction of a two-story human performance center that served the surrounding rural communities. Williams holds a BS in Lifestyle Management from Weber State University, an M.S. in Athletic Training from Indiana State University, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico State University.
Founded in 1911, Dixie State University is one of eight institutions within the Utah System of Higher Education. DSU achieved university status in February 2013, and has 54 bachelor, associate, and certificate programs. Serving nearly 9,000 students—drawing predominately from Utah but also including representatives from all 50 states and 18 different countries—DSU takes pride in its student-centered environment, and strives to meet the needs of traditional and nontraditional students. Located in St. George, Utah, DSU also has the Hurricane Education Center in Hurricane, Utah.
