Alumni and Friends Directory

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Biography

William A. Sederburg, Utah’s 7th Commissioner of Higher Education, has spent much of his time in the pursuit of excellence in education. Born in Nebraska but raised in Minnesota, Commissioner Sederburg obtained a bachelor’s degree in education and political science from Mankato State University in Minnesota and a master’s degree and doctorate, both in political science, from Michigan State University. He made Michigan his home for quite some time after that, serving in the state Senate for twelve years and as the president of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. for nine years.

As a Michigan state senator and university president, Dr. Sederburg tackled education issues with various state initiatives and involved academic administrators in state-wide economic, employment and technological issues. He also served on a myriad of educational boards, including chair of the Midwest Higher Education Commission, where he worked to increase educational opportunity in the Midwestern states.

In 2003, Dr. Sederburg became the 5th president of Utah Valley State College, where he led the school through its transition to its status as Utah Valley University. As part of the transition, President Sederburg worked closely with the State Board of Regents to develop and implement the ‘Rationale for University Status’ plan for University status. As part of the plan, the university reduced its reliance on adjunct faculty, improved student/advisor ratios, and revised its workload policy. During President Sederburg’s tenure, UVU added 35 new Baccalaureate Degrees in a variety of fields and introduced its first master’s program.

President Sederburg and his wife Joyce reside in Salt Lake City and are the parents of two adult children.

Since becoming Commissioner, Dr. Sederburg has led an aggressive agenda for the Board of Regents. Advocacy efforts have been increased dramatically. The Utah Cluster Acceleration Program has received state attention and gubernatorial endorsement as a means of enhancing economic growth. The K-16 Alliance, with partners in K-12 and government, has expanded its agenda. The internal office of the Commissioner has been reorganized. The 2010 Legislature approved the merger of the College Eastern Utah as a regional campus of Utah State University, an effort that had been under discussion for more than a decade.

Commissioner Sederburg serves on numerous state and national committees. He was recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. He serves on the executive committee of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE). In Utah, he serves on the Utah Technology Council Board, the Commission on Volunteers, the Governor’s Homeland Security Commission, and the Governor’s Commission on Excellence in Education.