Westminster Presidential Transition
After serving 40 years in higher education and 8 years at Westminster University, President Bethami Dobkin has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2025–2026 academic year.
During her tenure at Westminster, President Dobkin led the institution through a period of bold growth and change, guiding the transition from college to university, spearheading major fundraising efforts, expanding academic offerings, and championing equity and inclusion in higher education.
From navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to ushering in Westminster’s 150th year with a record-setting scholarship fundraising, President Dobkin leaves behind a legacy of vision, progress, and impact.
A Legacy of Progress
- Oversaw Westminster College’s transition to becoming Westminster University in 2023, reflecting the expansion of programs–including 2 doctoral programs in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Raised $70 million for Westminster, with notable capital achievements including the completion of Florence J. Gillmor Hall
- Raised $9.2 million for the L.S. Skaggs Integrated Wellness Center
- Navigated the university through the COVID-19 pandemic
- Led the strategic planning for and celebration of Westminster’s sesquicentennial year in 2025
- Hosted the Sesquicentennial Gala in June, raising $1.3 million for student scholarships
- Launched the first-of-its-kind Mountain Sports initiative, which provides varsity-level athletic support to student-athletes competing on Westminster’s championship-winning Freeski and Snowboard teams, along with new teams in Mountain Biking and Climbing
- Opened the Community Clinic and Training Center, providing free mental health care for the Salt Lake community while providing valuable supervised clinical training hours for Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling students
It has been an immense privilege to serve as Westminster University’s 19th president.
Working together with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and our generous community
to transform Westminster has been the honor of a lifetime.”
President Bethami Dobkin
Westminster's Next President
The Board of Trustees has partnered with Isaacson, Miller to conduct a national search for Westminster’s 20th president, whom they expect to be named in Spring 2026. The search committee will be co-chaired by trustees Amy Wadsworth and Danny Giovale ’94. President Dobkin will continue to serve in her role through the end of the current academic year.
Upcoming Events
September 9, 12–1:00 p.m.
Vieve Gore Concert Hall
- Faculty and staff are invited to join President Dobkin and Amy Wadsworth, vice chair of the Board of Trustees and co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee. Hear more information about the search, search committee membership, process, and timeline.
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