UT System regents select executive recruiting firm to support their efforts in chancellor search

AUSTIN— An executive search firm has been selected to assist the Board of Regents in the selection of the next University of Texas System Chancellor.

Board of Regents Chairman Sara Martinez Tucker announced that a contract has been signed with Russell Reynolds Associates, a leading global search and leadership advisory firm, to support the work of a search advisory committee to identify and recruit candidates and develop a search timeline and interview schedule. Tucker is leading the committee with the assistance of Board Vice Chairmen Jeffery Hildebrand and Paul Foster, as well as former Board Chairmen Donald Evans and James Huffines.

Chancellor William H. McRaven, who announced his resignation in December, will remain in the position until the end of the academic year at the request of the Board of Regents.

Tucker said ideally a new chancellor will start in time to have at least six months to prepare for the 2019 legislative session. “The role of chancellor is paramount to leading and advancing one of the nation’s largest and most multifaceted higher education systems, and I assure you the Board of Regents will identify the most qualified, exceptional candidate for the job,” Tucker said.

A website has been established to provide information on the search as well as the opportunity for the public to send comments and nominations confidentially to the Board of Regents office. Comments may also be sent to Stephen Newton of Russell Reynolds (UTChancellor@russellreynolds.com). The committee will also seek comments from UT institution presidents, faculty, students, staff, alumni and supporters. The identities of any individuals who apply or are nominated are confidential under state law and will not be made public.

About The University of Texas System
Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and a projected enrollment of more than 234,000 students, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates approximately two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System’s operating budget for FY 2018 is $18.3 billion, funded in part by $3.6 billion in sponsored programs from federal, state, local and private sources. With more than 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates and members of the National Academies – and nearly 80,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.