SUU Names New Dean To College Of Science

Southern Utah University has named Dr. William Heyborne as the new Dean of the Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Science. Originally from Kanab, Utah, Dr. Heyborne recently he has served as an associate provost at SUU, overseeing a number of areas within the Division of Academic Affairs. He has also served as the faculty senate president at SUU and as a department chair at Morningside College. He was the founding director of the SUU Stem Center and SUU’s Animal Ambassadors and has built an extensive set of connections with local school systems and the SUU community. Named an Outstanding Higher Education Science Educator by the Utah Science Teachers Association, Dr. Heyborne has taught students to understand living systems and the impact of human actions on biological communities. He encourages critical thinking, problem-solving and the application of scientific thinking. Dr. Heyborne has been awarded SUU Professor of the Year, SUU Advisor of the Year and has been named an SUU Influencer many times. Dr. Heyborne graduated from SUU with a bachelor’s degree in zoology with a minor in chemistry. He earned a master’s degree in entomology, then a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Northern Colorado. He specializes in biological education, reptile/amphibian natural history, insect biology and venoms and venomous animals. The new dean has expressed a deep commitment to SUU, southern Utah, and the entire region served by the university. Dr. Heyborne expressed excitement at being able to advocate for the faculty, staff and students of the Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Science. He will officially begin his appointment on July 1st.