Joyce University Appoints Josh Knotts as President & CEO

Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences Appoints Josh Knotts as President & CEO

Former Interim President & CEO named to lead the university

SALT LAKE CITY, October 02, 2025 — Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences today announced that Josh Knotts has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Knotts has served as the university’s Interim President and CEO since March 2025, guiding strategic initiatives and student-success efforts during the transition period.

“Josh has demonstrated the kind of thoughtful, student-centered leadership that strengthens institutions for the long term,” said Rex Anderson, chair of Joyce University Board of Trustees. “His deep institutional knowledge and operational focus make him the right leader to advance our mission and impact.”

Knotts previously served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Experience, bringing more than a decade of leadership experience at Joyce University. Since joining the institution in 2012, when it was known as Ameritech College of Healthcare, he has led major initiatives including the university rebrand, new program development, and the university’s regional expansion.

“I’m deeply honored to continue to serve the Joyce community,” said Knotts. “Joyce’s vision is to transform the lives of the people we serve so they can make a positive impact on their communities. Every day, our faculty, staff, students, and alumni bring that vision to life as they meet the nation’s growing demand for competent, compassionate nurses.”

Knotts’s selection reflects his record in strategy, culture, and student focus, with clear priorities around innovation, student outcomes, access to education, and community impact. He succeeds Dr. John Smith-Coppes, whose leadership helped ensure a smooth handoff.

• About Joyce University

  Founded in 1979, Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences’ mission is to prepare students to serve as competent professionals, to advance their careers, and to pursue lifelong learning. Located in Draper, Utah, Joyce University is proud to have helped thousands of students across the US graduate and launch lasting healthcare careers. With a recent expansion of its pre-licensure programs to select regional locations, including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. Joyce University enables aspiring nurses in these regions to access the same high-quality education and opportunities that have defined the institution for decades. Join them as they continue to shape the future of healthcare, one student at a time.

  Joyce University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and programmatically accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for the Associate of Science in Nursing degree program and by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degree programs.