President
Collette R. Mercier

UCAT President Rob Brems,
C. Brent Wallis,
President Collette Mercier,
Chair Doug Holmes

The Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT) announced the appointment of Collette R. Mercier as campus president of the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College (OWATC), replacing longtime Campus President C. Brent Wallis who is retiring May 30 after 36 years of service.

Mercier, who has served at the College since 1984, has been Vice President for Instructional Services for the past 13 years and is well known in the community for her leadership and advocacy of career and technical education at local and state levels.

“Collette is well prepared to assume the leadership at our Ogden-Weber Campus,” stated Rob Brems, president of the Utah College of Applied Technology. “Her many years of dedicated and successful service have been instrumental in building OWATC into one of the most successful technical colleges in the country.”

“We have many challenges ahead of us as we work with our local employers to meet their demand for a skilled workforce,” said Mercier. “But challenges bring tremendous opportunities as well. I look forward to working with our talented and dedicated staff, and our business and industry partners to meet these challenges head on and strengthen the economic viability of Weber County.”

Doug Holmes, chair of the OWATC Board of Directors, expressed his support of Mercier’s appointment. “Collette is an outstanding leader and critical part of the College team. She will continue to build our institution and provide the kinds of student and employer-oriented programs that prepare more than 10,000 students per year for high-wage, high-demand employment.”

Don Ipson, Chair of the Utah College of Applied Technology Board of Trustees, added his support of Mercier. “The Trustees look forward to working with President Mercier as she continues in the direction begun by President Wallis.”

OWATC is one of nine regional applied technology colleges comprising the Utah College of Applied Technology. The Utah College of Applied Technology is one of 10 institutions in the Utah System of Higher Education.