Austin, Texas, July 28, 2025
News Summary
The University of Texas at Austin has appointed William Inboden as the new Executive Vice President and Provost, effective August 1. This appointment coincides with a $100 million investment to establish the School of Civic Leadership, which aims to enhance civic education. Inboden, returning to UT Austin after a decade at the University of Florida, will lead initiatives focused on restoring public trust in higher education. The new school plans to enroll 100 freshmen in a Civics Honors major this fall and hire 20 faculty members by 2026, amid a backdrop of discussions on academic biases.
Austin, Texas – The University of Texas at Austin has appointed William Inboden as its new Executive Vice President and Provost, effective August 1. Inboden, who will hold the William Powers Jr. chair, also will have a joint faculty appointment with the Department of History and the newly established School of Civic Leadership. This appointment comes alongside a significant $100 million investment to enhance civic education at the university.
Inboden is currently the Director of the Classical and Civil Education School at the University of Florida. He has a history with UT Austin, having served in various roles within the UT System from 2010 to 2023, including founding the Clements Center for National Security in 2013. He is also the co-director of The University of Texas System National Security Network, adding to his extensive background in academic leadership.
The recent investment from the UT System Board of Regents will create a permanent home for the School of Civic Leadership, which aims to foster principles of freedom, self-government, and civic responsibility through comprehensive civic education. The financial commitment will also fund the renovation of the 101-year-old Biological Laboratories building for the school, with completion and readiness expected in 2028.
As part of its plans, the School of Civic Leadership will begin enrolling its first cohort of 100 freshmen in a Civics Honors major this fall and aims to hire 20 tenured or tenure-track faculty members by 2026. The school, which is currently based in UT’s Littlefield House during renovations, is a continuation of UT’s Civitas Institute established in 2022. This institute had faced scrutiny for its perceived conservative political inclinations.
Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have highlighted the importance of returning to foundational educational principles, underscoring a statewide conversation surrounding the perceived biases in academia. Critics argue that the establishment of the School of Civic Leadership is an attempt to counterbalance what they view as liberal tendencies in higher education.
Inboden, who holds a Ph.D., M.Phil, and M.A. in history from Yale University as well as a B.A. in history from Stanford University, has written extensively on topics including diplomatic history, religion and foreign policy, national security, and the American presidency. He has expressed enthusiasm for returning to UT Austin and is focused on initiatives that aim to restore public trust in higher education.
Following Inboden’s appointment, David Vanden Bout will remain with the university as a special advisor to the leadership team and continue his role as dean of the College of Natural Sciences after serving as interim provost.
Key Features of the Appointment and Investment
- William Inboden appointed as Executive Vice President and Provost.
- Now holding the William Powers Jr. chair.
- $100 million investment to establish a permanent home for the School of Civic Leadership.
- Renovation of the Biological Laboratories building expected to be completed in 2028.
- School aims to enroll 100 freshmen in a Civics Honors major this fall.
- Plans to hire 20 tenured or tenure-track faculty members by 2026.
- Criticism over perceived conservative influences in academia.
FAQs
Who is the new provost of the University of Texas at Austin?
William Inboden has been appointed as the new Executive Vice President and Provost.
What is the School of Civic Leadership?
The School of Civic Leadership is a new initiative aimed at promoting civic education focusing on principles of freedom, self-government, and civic responsibility.
How much funding will go toward the School of Civic Leadership?
$100 million has been allocated to support the School of Civic Leadership and its initiatives.
When will the School of Civic Leadership open?
The school is expected to start enrolling students this fall, with its first 100 freshmen joining in a Civics Honors major.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| New Provost | William Inboden appointed as Executive Vice President and Provost. |
| Investment | $100 million to support new School of Civic Leadership. |
| Building Renovation | Biological Laboratories will be renovated, completed by 2028. |
| Program Enrollment | First cohort of 100 freshmen for Civics Honors major. |
| Faculty Hiring | 20 tenured or tenure-track faculty aimed to be hired by 2026. |
| Academic Focus | Criticism of conservative influences in establishing the school. |
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Additional Resources
- KVUE: UT Austin Appoints New Provost
- Houston Chronicle: $100M Investment in Civic Leadership
- CBS Austin: UT Leaders Announce Investment
- Wikipedia: University of Texas at Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University Education
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