Astrid Tuminez, president of Utah Valley University (UVU), announced her resignation on Wednesday during a State of the University address. She plans to step down at the end of the current semester, in early May.
A Year of Grief and Crisis
Tuminez, who has served as UVU’s seventh president since 2018, described the decision as a difficult one, stating, “There’s never a good time…I love UVU so much.” She acknowledged a “swirl of emotion,” expressing both heartbreak and excitement for what comes next. The announcement follows a year marked by significant personal loss and institutional challenges.
In February 2025, Tuminez’s husband, Jeffrey Tolk, died unexpectedly. She described the experience to the Guardian as leaving her “disconsolate and desolate.” Months later, on what would have been her husband’s birthday, news emerged of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old commentator, on the UVU campus in September 2025.
Tuminez described her reaction to the shooting as “utter shock, like my whole body was on fire.” The event placed UVU at the center of a national political debate, coinciding with intensified political violence in the US and increased pressure from the Trump administration on universities regarding campus speech.
Navigating a Polarized Landscape
During her tenure, Tuminez oversaw a period of growth at UVU, with enrolment increasing by more than 20%, the university’s endowment more than doubling from $55 million to $129 million, and graduation rates rising. New centres were also established focusing on applied artificial intelligence, fintech, and constitutional studies.
Tuminez, a scholar of Soviet politics, has consistently emphasized the importance of universities as “facilitators of the American dream” and their role in preparing students for civic discourse. Her departure also comes as universities nationwide grapple with increased political pressure, including heightened immigration enforcement, student deportations, and visa restrictions affecting students from numerous countries.
Tuminez, herself an international student who obtained an F-1 visa, expressed concern about the potential impact of a more closed US immigration policy on higher education, stating, “One of the superpowers of America is our influence globally.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Astrid Tuminez to resign?
Tuminez cited a combination of personal grief following the death of her husband and the institutional crisis stemming from the assassination of Charlie Kirk on campus as contributing factors to her decision. She also expressed a need for a break after nearly eight years in the role.
What accomplishments defined Tuminez’s presidency at UVU?
During her tenure, UVU experienced significant growth, including a more than 20% increase in enrolment, a doubling of the university’s endowment, and rising graduation rates. New academic centres were also established.
What challenges does UVU face following Tuminez’s departure?
UVU continues to navigate the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death, with ongoing divisions among faculty, students, and state officials regarding how to remember him. The university also faces broader challenges related to political pressure on higher education and evolving immigration policies.
As UVU begins the search for its next president, the university community will likely grapple with questions about its future direction and how to balance its commitment to academic freedom with the demands of a complex political landscape.
