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Jordan Rushton named 3rd Dixie Technical College President

The Utah Board of Higher Education selected Jordan Rushton as the third president of Dixie Technical College today, following an extensive national search. Rushton has served as interim president of Dixie Tech since April 2022.

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ushton will assume the position immediately . He succeeds Kelle Stephens, who served as president from April 2012 – April 2022. “I want to thank the Board of Higher Education for the trust they have placed in me,” said President Rushton. “I want to also thank our local board of trustees. We have an incredible institution that meets both student and industry needs every day. I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead this institution into a new era of higher education.”

As part of their delegated duties and responsibilities, the Dixie Technical College Board of Trustees named a 15-member search committee in July of this year. The committee spent several months interviewing and soliciting input to select the finalists who the Utah Board of Higher Education interviewed to make the final selection for Dixie Technical College president. Rushton was one of three finalists announced on Sept. 9.

“President Rushton is highly respected by employers, legislators and community members throughout Utah,” said Lisa Michelle Church, Board of Higher Education chair. “As interim, Rushton led Dixie Tech to new heights. I am confident that our search process produced the most qualified candidate to continue to advance Dixie Tech in the years to come.”

Photo of Jordan Rushton after being announced as President of Dixie Technical College

Rushton spent eight years as the vice
president of instruction at Dixie Tech.

Before assuming the role as interim president, Rushton spent eight years as the vice president of instruction at Dixie Tech, overseeing the instructors, courses and curriculum across 25 accredited programs. He joined the Dixie Tech team in 2015 as the director of operations. Before coming to Southern Utah, he served as the director of public relations and outreach for the then Utah College of Applied Technology system.

“This is an exciting and momentous time for Dixie Technical College,” said Gil Almquist, Dixie Technical College Trustee and search committee chair. “President Rushton has committed nearly a decade of his professional career to Dixie Technical College—gaining institutional knowledge that will serve him well over the coming years. We are fortunate President Rushton has accepted to continue forward with Dixie Tech in this new leadership role.”

Rushton holds an undergraduate degree from Utah Valley University and a master’s degree in public administration with a higher education emphasis from Southern Utah University. He has a post-graduate certification in management from Harvard University and is currently completing his doctorate in education at Baylor University.

Dave R. Woolstenhulme, commissioner of higher education, added, “President Rushton is extremely knowledgeable about technical education and regional education and workforce needs. I look forward to continuing to work with President Rushton to enhance technical education for southern Utah students.”

About Dixie Technical College

Dixie Technical College (Dixie Tech), established in 2001 by the Utah State Legislature, relocated to its current campus on St. George’s Tech Ridge in 2017. The college, which is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, offers 25 certificate programs which train students for high-demand jobs in the fastest growing community in the United States. The college is known for its accelerated, affordable, industry focused, and hands-on education.

About the Utah System of Higher Education

The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) is governed by the Utah Board of Higher Education and is comprised of Utah’s sixteen public colleges and universities. The CEO of USHE is the Commissioner of Higher Education. For more information, visit ushe.edu.

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