Utah Valley University is hiring a former leader of the state’s highway patrol to fill a new safety position in Orem. The appointment follows the assassination of Charlie Kirk on the campus last year and a recent outside review that identified gaps in university planning and protocols.
Michael Rapich will take the new administrative role after a 33-year career with the Utah Highway Patrol. Rapich served at the helm of the patrol for nine years before retiring in November 2025.
University President Jon Anderson stated that Rapich brings decades of public safety leadership and trusted relationships across Utah. Anderson noted that Rapich's experience and collaborative approach are expected to strengthen how the university prepares for and responds to emergencies while serving the campus community.
The creation of this top administrative role to oversee safety operations and emergency management follows a recommendation from an outside review. The university previously stated it was already working to address identified gaps in its protocols.
University officials said Rapich’s longtime relationships with law enforcers across the state will help enhance coordination and emergency response with other agencies. Rapich, who became a state trooper in 1992 after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and working as a 911 dispatcher, said he looks forward to working with the campus and surrounding communities to ensure the university remains a trusted place for engagement and learning.
The security changes come amid criticism regarding the university's failure to secure every rooftop and the decision to assign only six police officers to an event attended by approximately 3,000 people. The family of Charlie Kirk has taken a step toward suing the school by sending a notice of claim, citing lapses in event security.
Kirk, a founder of Turning Point USA and an ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed during an outdoor speaking event in a courtyard on Sept. 10, 2025.
Tyler Robinson, 23, is accused of using his grandfather’s hunting rifle to fatally shoot Kirk from a rooftop on campus. Robinson has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder. A judge ordered Robinson to stand trial last month. While prosecutors stated they will seek the death penalty if convicted, the timeline for the trial remains a point of contention. Prosecutors expect the trial to take place in 2028, while the defense team stated they will require until 2029 to adequately prepare.
