The Utah Board of Higher Education has selected Kirt Michaelis as the new president of Mountainland Technical College, according to a November 13 report. Michaelis, who has served as the college's vice president of administrative services for 18 years, replaces President Clay Christensen following a 20-year tenure.
Michaelis expressed a commitment to maintaining the college's primary objective of securing employment for students. The college reported an 89% job placement rate this year, a success Michaelis attributes to industry advisory committees that help align curriculum with workforce needs. For example, IT advisory committees have suggested shifting focus from web development toward training students in artificial intelligence use.
To address rapid population growth in Utah County, Michaelis plans to prioritize accessibility by expanding campus locations. MTECH currently maintains campuses in Lehi, Orem, and Provo, with a new campus in Payson opened in 2025 and another in Heber opened this year. Additionally, the Lake Mountain School District acquired 100 acres in Eagle Mountain this May for a future high school and MTECH and UVU facilities, a project Michaelis discussed with Eagle Mountain Mayor Jared Gray and UVU President Jon Anderson on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026.
The college's budget has grown from $25.8 million in 2021 to $68.3 million in 2026. Of the 2026 budget, $34.6 million comes from state funding and $3.25 million comes from tuition. While MTECH proposed a 10% tuition increase this year, the USHE approved a 4.17% increase. Michaelis stated that future tuition increases would be incremental to manage inflation and that the college will seek efficiencies to avoid higher costs for students.
MTECH faces a waitlist of approximately 100 students across various programs, including a highly requested electrical apprenticeship. To expand capacity, the college will request additional funding from the Legislature in 2027 to hire more faculty and utilize available physical space.
