Meet BYU's new president

Why it matters: BYU, called "the Lord's university" by many church members, sets cultural norms for much of the intermountain west, from attitudes about beards to caffeinated soda.

What we know: Reese has been connected to some newsworthy developments at BYU.

• He oversaw the elimination of gender-affirming voice therapy at the campus speech clinic last year, citing church instructions to "counsel against social transition," Religion News Service reported.
• He also led the committee in 2021 that found many students of color felt "isolated and unsafe" due to racism at BYU and recommended the creation of a diversity office.

Of note: Reese promoted a "gospel methodology" in a speech last year that emphasized BYU faculty would be evaluated on how they were "fortifying the institutions of family, religion and constitutional government."

• A few months earlier, church leaders announced that employees' loyalty to the church would be reviewed in greater detail, specifically asking whether staff support "teachings on marriage, family, and gender."
• In the months since, faculty at BYU and other schools have raised concerns that the church agenda could compromise the university's academic freedom and rigor. Some employees at other church-affiliated schools have been fired without explanation.