The University of Texas at Austin has named a high-ranking administrator with an extensive history of racially inflammatory statements and support for diversity, equity, and inclusion policies to an 18-person committee tasked with overhauling the university’s core curriculum.
As first reported by The Texas Horn, Senior Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Richard Reddick, who was recently named to a new core curriculum task force, has an extensive history of far-left statements. These include references to the United States’ alleged “white supremacist” founding, comparisons of President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, and advocacy for so-called “diversity statements” in hiring.
Reddick’s university biography page confirms that he has published numerous articles in support of DEI and won several awards on the subject.
Most notably, Reddick appeared on a September 2025 podcast on which he framed higher education reformer Christopher Rufo’s efforts, and efforts to dismantle DEI, as “anti-democratic.”
Reddick was added to the core curriculum review committee less than a month later.
The committee is part of a review, announced by university President Jim Davis, to create a core curriculum that Davis said could serve as a model for other universities.
Core curriculum requirements, also known as general education requirements, are a set of subjects all students must complete regardless of major. Authors Jason Brennan and Phil Maness have criticized these mandates as excessive and an indirect subsidy for low-performing and frequently woke course content.
While Reddick’s presence on the committee is notable, a review of the full committee shows that at least seven committee members are tied to the university’s School for Civic Leadership, a flagship classical education endeavor.
Other ideologically indistinguishable committee members include a professor of U.S. political history, a Shakespeare scholar, a neuroscientist, an advanced mathematician, an artificial intelligence specialist, and a theater professor.
The office of the provost oversees all academic affairs. As vice provost, Reddick reports to Provost William Inboden. Inboden reports to Davis.
UT-Austin did not respond to Texas Scorecard‘s request for comment before publication.
UT-Austin is a component of the University of Texas System. The UT System is overseen by a Board of Regents that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Kevin Eltife is the current board chairman.
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