OREM, Utah ­­— Utah Valley University (UVU) announced the appointment of Don Capener as the dean of the University’s Continuing Education Department, effective immediately. As dean, Capener will be responsible for creating and implementing the University’s strategic plan for expanding post-secondary learning programs and activities at UVU.

“We are thrilled to have Don leading UVU’s continuing education,” said Wayne Vaught, provost and senior vice president, Academic Affairs at Utah Valley University. “His extensive academic, business, and management skills will greatly benefit UVU and the community. We look forward to watching the department expand and thrive under his leadership.”

Capener joined UVU as associate dean and graduate director in the Woodbury School of Business (WSB) in May 2019 after serving for seven years as the dean of business at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. He accepted the UVU interim assignment as Associate Provost - Continuing Education in September 2021.

Over the last nine months, Capener helped the University’s Executive Education expand into healthcare management partnering with the Woodbury School of Business (WSB) and the College of Health and Public Service (CHPS). He also helped the University to expand its artificial intelligence and machine learning, digital marketing, executive leadership and international trade and business programs while leading the business school through AACSB reaccreditation.

Under his leadership, the WSB MBA program grew by 40% and he introduced UVU's first micro-credentials for post-bachelor's degree business students in healthcare management, finance, management, marketing, and tech management.

Early in his career, Capener started “Above the Rim Apparel” with his brother while running their advertising agency in San Diego. Both companies were profitable and were sold in 1994. He taught advertising and marketing at Waseda University in Tokyo and is fluent in the Japanese language. As CMO, he took the marketing technology firm Netcentives public via NASDAQ in 1999.

Capener earned a doctorate in international management from the International School of Management in Paris. His Master of Business Administration degree was conferred from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, and he earned a bachelor's degree in political science, economics, and Asian studies from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.