(Salt Lake City, UT) - Utah Commissioner of Higher Education William Sederburg announced his top ten 2010 events surrounding Utah’s eight public colleges and universities in the annual tradition of end of the year.

“Reflecting back over the past year refreshes my mind on how top-quality and accomplished Utah’s colleges and institutions consistently are,” said Sederburg. “So much has happened throughout 2010 even though during the year the accomplishments don’t seem so profound. I am always amazed at how time flies.” Here are Sederburg’s top ten highlights of 2010, in no particular order:

1. Student enrollment increases for the third year in a row to 109,520 (FTE)

2. As one of the top rated, fastest growing 529 plans in the nation, the Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) surpassed the $3.7 billion mark.

3. The Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority (UHEAA) has the lowest default rate in its history at 1.9%.

4. 28,639 degrees and certificates awarded.

5. University of Utah joins the Pac 10 conference, Southern Utah University becomes part of the Big Sky Conference.

6. Utah Cluster Acceleration Partnership (UCAP) initiatives in Energy and Aerospace clusters implemented to increase economic development.

7. College of Eastern Utah becomes part of Utah State University in July merger.

8. Adoption of new Capital Development Prioritization process for use in evaluating institution project requests, the most significant change since 1988.

9. Creation of the “Big Goal” of 66% of Utah’s workforce with post-secondary degrees/training by 2020, as adopted in the HigherEdUtah 2020 Plan.

10. Legislature funds much-needed new buildings for Utah Valley University, Salt Lake Community College and Dixie State College.

Sederburg also has a few thoughts for the future that illustrate the System of Higher Education’s continual work toward making Utah’s colleges and universities successful, even in a challenging economy. These thoughts include increased focus on connections between post-secondary degrees and job prospects as well as timely completion of degrees.

USHE officials believe that with the support of the Governor and Legislature, 2011 will be another successful year for Higher Education in Utah. In addition to the highlights listed above, 2010 continued a three-year enrollment increase of 22% and a 12% budget cut. Sederburg adds, “Thanks to the dedication of our presidents, faculty and staff who have dedicated themselves to their students’ successes, 2010 was an exciting year and we are looking forward to an exciting new decade.”

The Utah System of Higher Education: USHE includes all of Utah’s eight public colleges and universities: The University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Snow College, Dixie State College, Utah Valley University and Salt Lake Community College. For more information on the Utah System of Higher Education, visit our website at HigherEdUtah.org.