News Summary
The University of Texas System has appointed Dr. John Zerwas as the chancellor finalist and James E. Davis as the finalist for UT Austin president. These appointments aim to strengthen university leadership and educational initiatives. Additionally, a $100 million investment will fund the new School of Civic Leadership at UT Austin, with plans to welcome its first freshman cohort this fall. William Inboden has also been appointed as the new Executive Vice President and Provost, marking a transformative period for the university.
Austin, TX – The University of Texas System has announced significant leadership appointments, naming Dr. John Zerwas as the lone finalist for chancellor and James E. Davis as the finalist to become the next president of the University of Texas at Austin. The appointments reflect the university’s ongoing efforts to bolster its leadership and educational initiatives.
Dr. Zerwas, who previously served as executive vice chancellor for health affairs within the UT System, has been involved with the system since 2018. He has a notable background in legislation, including leadership roles in higher education and health-related committees. Davis, who has been serving as the interim president of UT Austin since February 2025, joined the UT System in 2019. Both finalists were selected without conducting a national search, with the UT Board of Regents forming a committee composed of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members to oversee the selection process.
Before official hires can be made, there will be a mandatory waiting period of 21 days. This timeframe is part of the standard protocol for appointments within the UT System.
In addition to the leadership changes, the UT System Board of Regents announced a landmark $100 million investment to establish the School of Civic Leadership at UT Austin. This new school aims to prepare future leaders grounded in the principles of freedom, self-government, and civic responsibility. The funding will be used to renovate the 101-year-old Biological Laboratories building, creating a modern facility for the School of Civic Leadership.
The School of Civic Leadership is designed to embrace education across multiple disciplines while emphasizing the importance of free speech and inquiry. The initiative follows the founding of the School approved by the Board of Regents in 2023 and is an integration of the UT Civitas Institute. This institute previously faced scrutiny regarding potential biases and was initially established with $12 million in state and system funds.
As part of its opening, the School of Civic Leadership intends to welcome its first cohort of 100 freshmen majoring in a new Civics Honors program this fall. Long-term plans include the hiring of 20 tenured or tenure-track faculty members by the fall of 2026. This program is expected to further enrich the university’s academic offerings and enhance its educational objectives.
The funding for the substantial renovations will be sourced from the Permanent University Fund, designated for capital improvements at UT institutions.
Further supporting the university’s academic leadership, William Inboden has been appointed as the new Executive Vice President and Provost of UT Austin, effective August 1. Inboden will also hold the William Powers Jr. chair and serve in a dual faculty position with both the Department of History and the School of Civic Leadership. His previous experience includes directing the Classical and Civil Education School at the University of Florida and contributing to the establishment of the Clements Center for National Security at UT Austin.
Inboden’s academic background includes degrees from Yale University and Stanford University, focusing on history and foreign policy. Following his appointment, David Vanden Bout, who has been serving as interim executive vice president and provost, will transition to a special advisor role while continuing as the Dean of the College of Natural Sciences.
These recent developments signal a transformative period at the University of Texas at Austin, with leadership aimed at enhancing both institutional governance and emphasizing a robust educational framework that seeks to engage civic responsibility among its students.
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Additional Resources
- KVUE: University of Texas Leadership Role Finalists
- Texas Monthly: New President of the University of Texas
- Houston Chronicle: UT Gives $100M Fund for Civic Leadership Program
- Statesman: University of Texas Leadership Change
- CultureMap Austin: UT School of Civic Leadership
- Wikipedia: University of Texas at Austin
- Google Search: University of Texas
- Google Scholar: University of Texas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University of Texas
- Google News: University of Texas News
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