The University of Texas System on Wednesday named John M. Zerwas as its chancellor and James E. Davis as president of UT-Austin, effective immediately. Both men had been serving in interim roles and were officially chosen as sole finalists last month, a move that signals continuity at a moment when public higher education in Texas faces heightened oversight from state officials and boards of regents.
The UT System, the state’s largest public higher-education network, oversees 14 institutions and health centers, serving about 260,000 students. UT-Austin—the system’s flagship campus—enrolled more than 53,800 students in fall 2024.
Zerwas, an anesthesiologist by training, previously spent seven terms in the Texas House, representing Fort Bend County. He chaired the House’s budget-writing committee for 11 years and led the Committee on Higher Education, bringing long experience in budgeting and policy oversight to the chancellor role. As chancellor, he will oversee an operating budget that totaled about $30.9 billion across the UT System’s institutions in 2025. After the board’s unanimous vote, Zerwas expressed gratitude for the vote of confidence and emphasized that UT is a premier public university in Texas whose direction will shape the state’s higher-education future.
Davis, who has been UT-Austin’s interim president since February, was named president of the flagship through a process described by board chair Kevin P. Eltife as unconventional but supported by a retroactive review. Davis is a UT alumnus who earned his undergraduate degree at the university before attending Harvard Law School. He has spent his career in law and administration, including roles in the public and private sectors and work in the Texas Attorney General’s office. He joined UT in 2018 as vice president for legal affairs and business strategies and became chief operating officer in 2023. During his time as interim president, he led efforts on student housing solutions, the university’s athletics move to the Southeastern Conference, and major development projects such as the Moody Center and an innovation tower designed to foster startup partnerships.
Davis also oversaw a Hartzell-initiated review of UT’s general-education “flags” program, which required certain diversity- and culture-related courses for graduation. The program is being replaced with a new framework focused on building students’ skills and capabilities.
Board Chair Eltife noted the leadership team’s strong ties to the Texas Capitol and its expertise in public education policy, adding that the board is committed to supporting the new president and chancellor as they guide UT’s long-term strategy.
Commentary and context: The leadership appointments come after a period of transition at the UT System and UT-Austin, with leadership changes occurring amid broader discussions about oversight and governance in public universities. Zerwas and Davis bring a mix of policy, legal, and administrative experience that could help the system navigate funding challenges, capital projects, and academic priorities while maintaining the university’s status as a premier destination for students, researchers, and innovators.
Summary: The University of Texas System has installed John M. Zerwas as chancellor and James E. Davis as president of UT-Austin, providing stable, experienced leadership at the system and flagship campus. Zerwas brings deep budgeting and higher-education policy background, while Davis offers a track record of legal and administrative leadership, housing initiatives, sports conference transition, and campus development. Together, they face the task of strengthening Texas higher education amid state oversight and continued growth in research, enrollment, and facilities.
If you’d like, I can add a quick prognostic note on potential priorities for Zerwas and Davis based on the new leadership structure, or craft a shorter summary version for social media.