WSU appoints well-known leader as dean of the Dumke College of Health Professions
June 5, 2026
OGDEN, Utah — Next month, Weber State University’s Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions will welcome a new dean who’s already well-known on campus.
New Dean Appointment
Darcy Carter, a longtime educator and administrator with two decades of experience at Weber State, has been selected for the role.
“The College of Health Professions has such a strong tradition of excellence, and I’m really honored to build upon that as a dean,” Carter said.
Professional Background and Experience
Carter has held numerous leadership positions throughout her career at WSU, including her most recent role as associate dean for the College of Health Professions. Before that, she was the School of Health Administrative Services chair, the Master of Health Administration program director, and the Office of Graduate Studies curriculum chair.
Her experience spans clinical coordination, internship and capstone management, and leadership across all levels of education.
“I’ve seen that the College of Health Professions changes people’s lives,” Carter said. “It prepares them for meaningful and rewarding careers. And those careers impact the lives of patients, their\u2019 families, and community members that our students go on to serve.”
Educational Roots and Family Legacy
Carter describes herself as a “Wildcat from the start.” She came to WSU through the Early College program, then earned her bachelor’s degree and Master of Health Administration at the university. She also holds a Doctorate of Health Sciences from A.T. Still University in Missouri.
“I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities that Weber State has given me, and I want to continue paying that forward to the next generation of students,” Carter said. “This is more than where I studied or where I work. Weber State has become a part of who I am.”
Her relatives also add to what she calls the “Carter family Wildcat legacy.” Her mom, husband, two sons, two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two daughters-in-law are all alumni or currently attending WSU.
“Anyone who knows me well knows that I bleed purple,” Carter said. “I’m proud of the work we do.”
Transition of Leadership
Beginning July 1, Carter will take the reins from Dean Yasmen Simonian, who’s retiring at the end of the month after a 45-year career with the university.
She’ll oversee the university’s largest academic college, which offers credentials ranging from certificates and associate degrees to bachelor’s and doctorates. The college has about 5,200 students majoring in healthcare fields and is a top provider of health professionals in Utah.
Vision for the Future
Carter said she looks forward to working alongside faculty, staff, students, alumni, healthcare partners, and the community to continue creating new opportunities together.
One of her personal mottos is “everything is figureoutable,” which guides how she approaches innovation and collaboration. She has that message on a glass sign in her office, setting the tone for her leadership every day after she parks her purple car and heads into work.
“A great college is really built through shared vision, strong partnerships, and commitment to helping other people succeed,” Carter said. “And I’m so excited to work in an environment where I can help people thrive and feel supported as we shape the future of healthcare.”
Author:
Rachel Badali, Public Relations Director
801-626-7948, rachelbadali@weber.edu
Contact:
Rachel Badali, Public Relations Director
801-626-7948, rachelbadali@weber.edu
