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TAYLORSVILLE — The Utah System of Higher Education on Friday voted unanimously to appoint Gregory Peterson as the ninth president of Salt Lake Community College.
The appointment was met by raucous cheers and applause from those in attendance.
"I am so excited to be here. I am so humbled by this opportunity," Peterson said. "I have to admit that when I started this process I was intrigued by Salt Lake Community College, but over the past three days, I have fallen in love with you."
Peterson — a first-generation community-college graduate — will officially assume the position on July 1, succeeding Deneece Huftalin, who served as president at the institution from 2014 to 2024.
Peterson's appointment comes after an extensive national search by an 11-member committee composed of representatives from the Board of Higher Education, SLCC trustees, faculty, staff, students, administration and alumni, as well as a community representative that launched in December 2023.
"SLCC's presidential search attracted a robust and multifaceted pool of applicants that reflected strong alignment with the position profile and the attraction of Salt Lake City, the Utah System of Higher Education and the state of Utah. From this impressive group, the Utah Board of Higher Education proudly announces President Peterson to serve as the new leader of Salt Lake Community College," Amanda Covington, Utah Board of Higher Education chairwoman, said in a statement. "As a visionary leader with a proven track record of success in community colleges and higher education, President Peterson is poised to lead SLCC into the future. The board is confident that under his leadership, the college and its students will thrive and continue to strengthen our community. We are delighted to welcome him to the Utah System of Higher Education."
Selected over two other finalists, Peterson brings an extensive background in education to SLCC, working at urban, suburban and rural communnity colleges throughout his career.
In 2018, Peterson was appointed to serve as the president at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Arizona. Over the course of his career, he has "led key efforts in student learning and success impacting over 100,000 students, including developing transfer partnerships and college promise programs at multiple institutions," according to a release from the Utah System of Higher Education.
Additionally, Peterson launched the first community college artificial intelligence program in the nation.
The release from the System of Higher Education pointed to Peterson's success with industry partners and community leaders in strengthening workforce pipelines for students into family-sustaining careers, noting he has served on local, state and national organizations to advance these efforts.
Peterson holds a doctorate in educational administration with an emphasis in community college leadership from the University of Texas, a master's degree in postsecondary, adult and continuing education from Portland State University and a bachelor's degree in English from Brigham Young University.
"I look forward to reinforcing SLCC's commitment to providing educational pathways for transfer and workforce that improve the lives of every member of our community," Peterson said in a statement. "SLCC has an amazing future ahead, and I couldn't be prouder to be a part of that journey."
