Latest news with #UniversityLeadership
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Interims Named Sole Finalists To Head Up U. Of Texas System, UT-Austin
Two interim leaders have been named as sole finalists to lead the University of Texas System and the ... More University of Texas at Austin. The University of Texas System Board of Regents has named John M. Zerwas as the sole finalist for the chancellorship of the University of Texas System and James E. Davis as the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Texas at Austin. Zerwas and Davis currently are serving in those two roles as interim leaders. Each man received unanimous support to be the sole finalists for their respective positions by the regents at a meeting on Monday. Zerwas, a physician by training, had been the UT System's Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, joining the university in that capacity in October 2019. In that position, he oversaw the five UT System health institutions. He was named the UT System's chancellor ad interim, following the departure of J.B. Milliken in May to become president of the University of California. Prior to joining the UT System, Zervas served seven legislative terms in the Texas House of Representatives, including eleven years on the House Appropriations Committee, (three as Chairman) and six as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. He was also a prior Chair of the House Committee on Higher Education in Texas. In a news release, UT Board of Regents' Chairman Kevin P. Eltife praised Zerwas for 'an impeccable record in higher education, healthcare, and policy.' "The regents and all UT presidents respect Dr. Zerwas and trust his sound judgment and thoughtful leadership,' added Eltife. The board will consider final action to approve Zerwas as chancellor at its mid-August Board of Regents meeting in Austin, after the state's mandated 21-day period for finalists elapses. Zerwas said he was 'humbled and honored to be considered as chancellor of the UT System, and I am profoundly grateful to Chairman Eltife and each regent for conveying their trust in me,' adding that he was eager to work "in this new capacity to maximize UT's fullest potential in education, discovery, and healthcare.' Jim Davis has been serving as the Interim President of The University of Texas at Austin, replacing former president Jay Hartzell, who announced in January that he was leaving the university to become the president of Southern Methodist University. Prior to being named interim president, Davis was UT Austin's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Legal Affairs and Business Strategies. After completing his BA in history from UT Austin, Davis, whose father was a professor at the university, earned his law degree from Harvard Law School and served as a law clerk at the Supreme Court of Texas. He practiced law as a partner in the Austin office of Locke Lord and later served as a Texas Deputy Attorney General, under Texas AG Ken Paxton. Eltife praised Davis's leadership, noting that the regents had worked directly with him '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.' The board's final action to approve Davis is also subject to the 21-day waiting period. According to the regents' announcement, Eltife will appoint a committee composed of faculty, staff, student, alumni and community representatives, along with two UT presidents. That committee will then offer the regents advice and an evaluation on Davis, consistent with a review that would usually be provided by a presidential search advisory committee. Texas higher education has seen its share of political intrigue and shake-ups in university leadership recently. Earlier this year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 37 into law. That statute, strongly supported by conservative legislators in the state, significantly strengthens the power of university governing boards and central administrators in a number of areas, including the hiring of university personnel. Although that law does not go into effect until September 1, it appears the regents are honoring its spirit already, bypassing the traditional search process and turning to men well-known in Texas Republican circles for two of the state's most powerful higher education jobs.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
University of Surrey announces computer expert as vice-chancellor
A distinguished computer scientist will take over as head of the University of Surrey, it has Stephen Jarvis, an expert in data science and artificial intelligence (AI), will take over the role of president and vice-chancellor of the university in the Jarvis will take on the role having served as the provost and vice-principal of the University of Birmingham since joins the university after Professor Max Lu, the vice-chancellor at Surrey since 2016, announced his departure in December 2024 to lead the University of Wollongong in Australia. Prof Jarvis acknowledges there are "significant challenges" but says the university "is especially well-placed to play a key role in developing and implementing solutions to global challenges, while equipping its students to be the leaders of the future".Prior to joining the university, Professor Jarvis helped to set up The Alan Turing Institute, the UK's national institute for data science and Geffen, chair of the University of Surrey Council, said: "Stephen's outstanding track record in research, leadership and strategic vision made him the clear choice."
CBS News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Three more DeSantis allies to take the helm of public universities in Florida
The state board that oversees Florida's public universities has confirmed three more allies of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to become university presidents. It's a move supporters say will grant the schools the political capital to secure critical state funding and navigate a rapidly shifting legal landscape, and one that critics see as another sign that alignment with the governor's conservative education agenda has become a prerequisite for academic leadership in the state. The elevation of two Republican former lawmakers and a lobbyist comes after the state Board of Governors rejected the nomination of a longtime academic to lead the University of Florida, amid conservative backlash against his past support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs that board members viewed as unacceptable liberal ideology. With the appointments approved Wednesday, five of the state's 12 public universities will be led by former Republican lawmakers or lobbyists, a move that will help bolster DeSantis' legacy in higher education that could long outlast his time in office. Leading a Florida university generally comes with a multi-year contract for a salary of at least six figures and a plush on-campus residence. The process for picking these leaders happens largely behind closed doors, creating what the state's Republican House speaker has called "a spoil system for a select few." DeSantis' former lieutenant governor, Jeanette Nuñez. was confirmed as the president of Florida International University in Miami. Meanwhile, telecommunications lobbyist Marva Johnson was tapped to lead Florida A&M University, the state's only public historically Black university. Johnson was previously a DeSantis appointee on the state board of education. Manny Diaz, a former state lawmaker and state education commissioner under DeSantis, was picked to lead the University of West Florida in Pensacola on an interim basis, mirroring the appointment of Nuñez, who was first named interim president before getting the permanent job at FIU. Johnson's appointment, in particular, has alarmed FAMU students and alumni, who begged the board not to confirm her on Wednesday, arguing that she failed to meet the job's minimum requirements and that her requested salary far exceeds her predecessor's. Johnson's appointment has stoked longstanding fears that the HBCU could be merged with Florida State University, the predominantly white institution across the railroad tracks. "I can't decide if her appointment is politically motivated, gross negligence on the part of the board, or just you guys wanting to get rid of FAMU altogether," alumnus Angelo Pettis told the Board of Governors. Board members defended Johnson, her credentials as a telecoms executive and her service on various state boards. Johnson addressed the concerns of FAMU students and supporters, saying she's "ready to lead with boldness" and committed to working alongside them. "I remain deeply committed to ensuring that the legacy of the university is not lost," Johnson said.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Three more DeSantis allies to take the helm of public universities in Florida
The state board that oversees Florida's public universities has confirmed three more allies of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to become university presidents. It's a move supporters say will grant the schools the political capital to secure critical state funding and navigate a rapidly shifting legal landscape, and one that critics see as another sign that alignment with the governor's conservative education agenda has become a prerequisite for academic leadership in the state. The elevation of two Republican former lawmakers and a lobbyist comes after the state Board of Governors rejected the nomination of a longtime academic to lead the University of Florida, amid conservative backlash against his past support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs that board members viewed as unacceptable liberal ideology. With the appointments approved Wednesday, five of the state's 12 public universities will be led by former Republican lawmakers or lobbyists, a move that will help bolster DeSantis' legacy in higher education that could long outlast his time in office. Leading a Florida universities generally come with a multiyear contract for a salary of at least six-figures and a plush on-campus residence. The process for picking these leaders happens largely behind closed doors, creating what the state's Republican House speaker has called 'a spoil system for a select few.' DeSantis' former lieutenant governor, Jeanette Nuñez. was confirmed as the president of Florida International University in Miami. Meanwhile, telecommunications lobbyist Marva Johnson was tapped to lead Florida A&M University, the state's only public historically Black university. Johnson was previously a DeSantis appointee on the state board of education. Manny Diaz, a former state lawmaker and state education commissioner under DeSantis, was picked to lead the University of West Florida in Pensacola on an interim basis, mirroring the appointment of Nuñez, who was first named interim president before getting the permanent job at FIU. Johnson's appointment, in particular, has alarmed FAMU students and alumni, who begged the board not to confirm her on Wednesday, arguing that she failed to meet the job's minimum requirements and that her requested salary far exceeds her predecessor's. Johnson's appointment has stoked longstanding fears that the HBCU could be merged with Florida State University, the predominantly white institution across the railroad tracks. 'I can't decide if her appointment is politically motivated, gross negligence on the part of the board, or just you guys wanting to get rid of FAMU altogether,' alumnus Angelo Pettis told the Board of governors. Board members defended Johnson, her credentials as a telecoms executive and her service on various state boards. Johnson addressed the concerns of FAMU students and supporters, saying she's "ready to lead with boldness" and committed to working alongside them. 'I remain deeply committed to ensuring that the legacy of the university is not lost,' Johnson said. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Associated Press
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Three more DeSantis allies to take the helm of public universities in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The state board that oversees Florida's public universities has confirmed three more allies of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to become university presidents. It's a move supporters say will grant the schools the political capital to secure critical state funding and navigate a rapidly shifting legal landscape, and one that critics see as another sign that alignment with the governor's conservative education agenda has become a prerequisite for academic leadership in the state. The elevation of two Republican former lawmakers and a lobbyist comes after the state Board of Governors rejected the nomination of a longtime academic to lead the University of Florida, amid conservative backlash against his past support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs that board members viewed as unacceptable liberal ideology. With the appointments approved Wednesday, five of the state's 12 public universities will be led by former Republican lawmakers or lobbyists, a move that will help bolster DeSantis' legacy in higher education that could long outlast his time in office. Leading a Florida universities generally come with a multiyear contract for a salary of at least six-figures and a plush on-campus residence. The process for picking these leaders happens largely behind closed doors, creating what the state's Republican House speaker has called 'a spoil system for a select few.' DeSantis' former lieutenant governor, Jeanette Nuñez. was confirmed as the president of Florida International University in Miami. Meanwhile, telecommunications lobbyist Marva Johnson was tapped to lead Florida A&M University, the state's only public historically Black university. Johnson was previously a DeSantis appointee on the state board of education. Manny Diaz, a former state lawmaker and state education commissioner under DeSantis, was picked to lead the University of West Florida in Pensacola on an interim basis, mirroring the appointment of Nuñez, who was first named interim president before getting the permanent job at FIU. Johnson's appointment, in particular, has alarmed FAMU students and alumni, who begged the board not to confirm her on Wednesday, arguing that she failed to meet the job's minimum requirements and that her requested salary far exceeds her predecessor's. Johnson's appointment has stoked longstanding fears that the HBCU could be merged with Florida State University, the predominantly white institution across the railroad tracks. 'I can't decide if her appointment is politically motivated, gross negligence on the part of the board, or just you guys wanting to get rid of FAMU altogether,' alumnus Angelo Pettis told the Board of governors. Board members defended Johnson, her credentials as a telecoms executive and her service on various state boards. Johnson addressed the concerns of FAMU students and supporters, saying she's 'ready to lead with boldness' and committed to working alongside them. 'I remain deeply committed to ensuring that the legacy of the university is not lost,' Johnson said. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
