Rich Kendell has served as the head of the Utah System of Higher Education since 2003. Before his appointment as commissioner, Kendell served as then-Gov. Mike Leavitt's deputy for education.

The former Ogden High School English teacher was superintendent in the Davis School District and has twice worked in the private sector. He's also worked at the University of Utah in multiple faculty appointments, including associate dean of the graduate school and the school of education.

In 1994, Kendell won the Utah Education Association Administrator of the Year award and in 1993 was named as Utah's Superintendent of the Year.

He has a bachelor's degree in English from Weber State University and a master's and doctorate in leadership and policy from the U. of U.