University Of Texas-Austin President Jay Hartzell Leaving To Lead SMU

Study in US: Southern Methodist University's Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name Jay Hartzell as the next president. Hartzell is expected to join SMU from June 1, 2025.

University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell announced his decision to leave the university to join as the President of Southern Methodist University. He said he could not pass up the opportunity. The Board of Trustees at SMU unanimously voted for him to become the next president.

While responding to his appointment, he said, “I look forward to building upon the university’s remarkable momentum and leading SMU into its next era."

Hartzell is expected to leave University of Texas at Austin by the end of the academic year and will take over as the president of SMU from June 1, 2025.

David B. Miller, chair of SMU’s Board of Trustees and co-chair of the presidential search committee said, “Dr. Hartzell is a well-respected academician and higher education leader with a strong track record of accomplishments that make him the ideal candidate to build upon the tremendous energy and momentum we are experiencing here on the Hilltop."

President Hartzell Leaving UT-Austin: More Details

His joining SMU will lead to a major shift in leadership of the Texas higher education. It is not clear yet who will lead UT-Austin next. The university has not revealed about it. According to The Texas Tribune, the administrators and faculty at the university said that they just heard the news on Tuesday.

University of Texas System Board Chair Kevin Eltife and Chancellor James Milliken said, “We wish President Hartzell our very best on his new leadership role in Dallas, and we thank him for his many contributions to UT over the past 24 years."

Before UT-Austin, Hartzell served as the dean of the McCombs School of Business and then joined UT-Austin as faculty member in 2001, and in 2020, he became the president of the university.

Rachel Davis Mersey Named Executive Vice President and Provost

In yet another development at the UT-Austin, Rachel Davis Mersey has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Provost. She will serve as the university's chief academic officer.

UT President Jay Hartzell commented, "Since the day she started as Interim Provost, Rachel has proved to be a strategic, decisive and visionary leader who embraces challenges and drives academic excellence. I could not be more pleased to have her serve as our chief academic officer and a key."

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