[7] After his stint at HBS, Gilbert joined the faculty of BYU–Idaho and served as associate academic vice president of academic development; his responsibilities in this role included student leadership, the BYU–Idaho Learning Model, online learning, and the Pathway program.

[11] He did not replace Jim Wall (the publisher) or Joseph A. Cannon (the editor), but filled a new role in the organization.

[12] Gilbert unveiled a set of six themes to guide the paper's coverage—previously distinguished by its lack of oversight from its owner, the LDS Church, and a strict devotion to impartiality—going forward: family, financial responsibility, excellence in education, care for the needy, values in media, and faith in the community.

In November 2011, it was revealed that the mayor of Utah's West Valley City, Michael K. Winder, wrote under a pen name as a Deseret Connect contributor about city hall events, and that his stories were featured in the Deseret News.

His appointment had been announced on January 27, 2015 by Russell M. Nelson, then-chairman of the Executive Committee of the BYU–Idaho Board of Trustees.

Gilbert earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, a master's degree in East Asian studies from Stanford University, and a doctor of business administration from HBS.