Professor Harriet Hopf Becomes University of Utah Academic Senate President

On May 15, Dr. Harriet Hopf received the Academic Senate President’s gavel from Professor Shanti Deemyad of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Dr. Hopf will lead shared governance at the University of Utah during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Shared governance is the principle that the administration and faculty, with input from students and staff, work together to make decisions and enact policies that guide the academic life of the university. This principle has been a cornerstone of the University of Utah since the establishment of our Academic Senate in 1915. Many faculty members participate in various aspects of faculty governance, including serving on medical school and university committees, representing the School of Medicine College Council, and acting as Academic Senators.

Dr. Hopf was elected to the presidential succession of the Academic Senate in 2023. She served as President-Elect during the 2023-2024 academic year, will serve as President for the 2024-2025 academic year, and will then serve as Past President for the 2025-2026 academic year. This important leadership role will raise the visibility of our department on campus.

If you are interested in learning how the University of Utah became one of the first universities to adopt shared governance in 1915, read "When Rights Clash," published by two former Academic Senate Presidents in celebration of the 100th anniversary in 2015.

Congratulations, Dr. Hopf!