OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University (UVU) announced today that Courtney Davis has been appointed as the new dean for the School of the Arts. Her term as dean begins immediately.

Davis joined UVU as a full-time faculty member in 2007 and is tenured to the Department of Art & Design in the School of the Arts. She was most recently the Interim Dean of the School of the Arts and previously served as the Department Chair of Art & Design and the Acting Director and Associate Director of the UVU Center for the Study of Ethics.

“I have been a part of the School of the Arts since it was formed,” Davis said. “I have watched it grow, transform, and develop into the incredible place that it is. The School of the Arts is my heart and my home, and it is my honor and privilege to be a part of school's bright future.” 

While at UVU, Davis has been instrumental in curriculum and course development in the visual arts areas of study, including creating an art history major and minor and numerous individual courses and flex-learning options.

“My vision is to expand, enhance, and elevate the profile of the already amazing School of the Arts through destination programs and events that highlight UVU as a leader for quality and innovation,” she said. 

Davis founded UVU's Biennial Art History Symposium and is co-founder of the annual Student Ethics Symposium. She received the UVU Alumni Outstanding Educator of the Year for the School of the Arts award on three occasions and is a two-time Faculty Senate Award of Excellence recipient.   

Prior to joining UVU, she was an associate attorney at the Provo law firm Hill, Johnson & Schmutz, where she practiced business and family law. She is a licensed member of the Utah Bar and holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Art in Art History & Curatorial Studies from Brigham Young University.