University of Texas System Regents named Jim Davis the sole finalist for permanent president of UT-Austin and John Zerwas the sole finalist for permanent chancellor of the UT System. Both had already been appointed to their respective positions on an interim basis.
Regents made this decision during a special-called Monday meeting.
The announcement creates a 21-day “finalist period,” typically considered a formality, before regents officially appoint a candidate to the open position.
By beginning the clock on this 21-pay period in late July, regents made both appointments eligible for consideration at their August 21 meeting. Regents are expected to finalize these hiring decisions at that time.
Davis has served as interim UT-Austin president since February. He had previously served in a variety of on-campus positions and also worked in the office of Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Davis has overseen an unprecedented commitment to the School for Civic Leadership, an expansion of its classical education program. Davis also oversaw the hiring of William Inboden, a Ronald Reagan scholar, to the open provost position.
“The regents have worked directly with Jim Davis over the past seven years on some of the largest and most transformational and complex initiatives ever undertaken by UT Austin. His understanding of almost every facet of UT Austin’s opportunities and challenges is remarkable, and his versatility in being able to navigate them, all the way from conception to successful execution, has served UT very well,” Regent Chairman Kevin Eltife said.
Zerwas, the incoming chancellor, was a Republican state representative from 2007 to 2019. He had served as executive vice chancellor for health affairs from 2019 until his promotion to interim chancellor.
The UT-Austin president oversees the state’s flagship campus.
The system chancellor plays a similar role over the UT System’s fourteen institutions, which includes UT-Austin.
Both report to the UT System Board of Regents, which are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate.
