David L. Buhler
BS Political Science; PhD Political Science
Commissioner of Higher Education
Utah State Board of Regents
David L. Buhler was named as the eighth Commissioner of Higher Education by the Utah State Board of Regents in 2012. As Commissioner he is responsible for making recommendations to, and implementing the policies of, the State Board of Regents, which is the governing board of Utah's eight public colleges and universities. Commissioner Buhler comes to this position with a long history of service in higher education, state and local government, and business.
For nearly twelve years prior to his appointment, Commissioner Buhler served as Associate Commissioner for Public Affairs with responsibility for government and media relations and overseeing the system's strategic priority of participation and outreach. He also served as Interim Commissioner for eight months in 2008. Commissioner Buhler taught as an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of Utah from 1990 to 2006, and was a member of the University of Utah Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2000.
Commissioner Buhler served twelve years as an elected official, including two terms as a member of the Salt Lake City Council (2000-2007), and one term as a Utah State Senator (1995-1999). On the City Council he served as Council Chair in 2002 and 2006. In the Senate, he served as Senate Chair of the Administrative Services and Capital Facilities Appropriations Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the Executive Appropriations Committee. He served eight years in state government including four years as Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce (1989-1992) and as a member of the staff of Governor Norman H. Bangerter (1984-89). He was also an executive in private business with a national testing firm for eight years (1992-2000).
A native of Salt Lake City, Dave received Bachelor of Science degrees in History and Political Science from the University of Utah, a Master of Public Administration degree from Brigham Young University, and has earned a PhD in Political Science at the University of Utah. He is married to the former Lori Goaslind; they are the parents of five children.