University of Utah President Taylor Randall and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Mitzi Montoya announced today the appointment of Peter Trapa as deputy provost and special assistant to the president, expanding Trapa’s leadership responsibilities to advance several major institutional priorities.

A key responsibility for Trapa will be providing guidance and support to deans and other senior academic leaders as the university embarks on changes to modernize key business and administrative functions. In addition, Trapa will work closely with Montoya and Randall on academic budgeting and academic space management.

He also will help integrate the university’s vision for College Town Magic™ with its academic mission and support the coordination of fundraising efforts across academic affairs in partnership with the university’s advancement team.

“Successful change management requires trust, strong relationships, sound decision-making, and transparency,” Trapa said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues across academic affairs to strengthen the systems that support their work and prepare the university for continued success.”

The change will allow Montoya to devote additional leadership attention to strategic planning and initiatives designed to expand the university’s academic reach across Salt Lake County and internationally. Work is already underway with Salt Lake Community College as part of the Utah System of Higher Education’s regional framework initiative.

Montoya also will lead efforts to establish academic hubs connected with new University of Utah Health facilities in West Valley City and at The Point in Draper, as well as oversee efforts to expand the U’s global academic presence beyond the Utah Asia Campus.

“As Utah’s flagship university, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to help shape the future of higher education in our state,” Montoya said. “By supporting statewide integration efforts and extending the reach of the university, we can create new opportunities for students and strengthen the impact of the U on our community.”

Trapa will retain his role as senior dean of the university’s Colleges of Liberal Arts & Sciences and will begin his additional duties immediately.

“Peter and Mitzi are trusted and respected university leaders, and I am grateful for their willingness to expand the scope of their work,” Randall said. “The decisions we make today will help shape the University of Utah for decades to come. It is important that we get this work right, and I am grateful to have strong leaders in place to guide it.”