Astrid S Tuminez, the seventh president of Utah Valley University (UVU), has announced she will step down from her role in early May 2025. She revealed her decision during a State of the University address on Wednesday, speaking to a full auditorium of students and faculty.
A Decision Forged in Personal and Institutional Crisis
The 61-year-old leader explained that the choice to resign had been developing for some time, describing it as a complex mix of emotions. "There's never a good time," Tuminez stated. "I love UVU so much." She characterised her feelings as a swirl of heartbreak and relief, acknowledging the profound personal grief that marked the past year.
In February 2025, Tuminez's husband, Jeffrey Tolk, died suddenly. She described the loss as leaving her "disconsolate and desolate." Then, on 10 September 2025—which would have been her husband's birthday—a national crisis erupted on her campus while she was travelling to Rome. Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old far-right commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated at UVU.
"Our bodies feel these things," Tuminez later reflected. "Just utter shock, like my whole body was on fire." The killing thrust the university and its president into the centre of a fierce national debate about political violence and campus speech, intensifying under the Trump administration.
A Legacy of Growth Amidst Polarisation
Appointed in 2018, Tuminez was a historic figure for UVU, becoming its first woman, first person of colour, and first immigrant president. The university is located in one of Utah's most conservative counties. Despite a background as a scholar of Soviet politics, she often called herself an "accidental university president," a role she never actively planned to pursue.
Her nearly eight-year tenure, one of the longest in Utah's public university system, oversaw significant institutional advancement:
- Student enrolment increased by more than 20%.
- The university's endowment more than doubled from $55 million to $129 million.
- Graduation rates saw sharp improvements.
- New academic centres in applied artificial intelligence, fintech, and constitutional studies were established.
She consistently argued that universities are vital "facilitators of the American dream," preparing students for serious civic discourse.
Stepping Down During a Challenging Era for US Universities
Her departure coincides with a period of mounting political pressure on American higher education. The Trump administration's policies, including heightened immigration enforcement, visa restrictions, and student deportations, have created a climate of fear among international students. Tuminez, a former international student herself who once secured an F-1 visa, expressed deep concern about this trend.
"One of the superpowers of America is our influence globally," she said, emphasising the value of educating future global leaders. She lamented that fear-driven policies risk eroding the nation's historic openness, which she sees as a key strength.
As for her future, Tuminez was clear about her immediate need for a pause. "I need a break," she said. "This is not the kind of job you do for seven and a half years and feel rested." Her resignation leaves UVU to continue reckoning with the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's death and its place in an increasingly polarised nation.
