Interim president for UT Austin named at UT System regents’ meeting

Today, following the recommendation of Chairman Kevin P. Eltife and the UT System Board of Regents, Chancellor James B. Milliken named James E. Davis as interim president of The University of Texas at Austin, effective immediately.   

Davis currently serves as the university’s senior vice president and chief operating officer.  Prior to that, he was UT’s vice president for legal affairs and business strategies.  A graduate of UT Austin and Harvard Law School, Davis has been pivotal in successfully navigating some of UT Austin’s most innovative and complex activities to advance its mission. 

In each of his leadership roles, Davis has driven positive outcomes for UT.  Some examples include the development of UT’s Innovation Tower, the university’s first seed investment fund for startup companies to support researchers’ discoveries, solutions for faculty and student housing, development of the Moody Center, and UT’s move into the SEC Athletic Conference, among others. 

“Jim Davis has consistently executed very effective and high-impact strategies to propel UT Austin’s rise.  His depth of knowledge in optimizing how the university operates to best serve its students is critical at this time in higher education, and we appreciate his willingness to serve in this role,” said Eltife.

With the appointment of Davis, Eltife emphasized the need for UT Austin to take this time to address large-scale issues like infrastructure and deferred maintenance demands and the enhancement of operational and financial efficiencies to hone UT’s strength for the future and maximize investments that can be directed to faculty and students.  “Among his many strengths, Davis is uniquely qualified to lead these efforts.  He is the right person at the right time,” Eltife said.

“There’s no question Jim Davis is the right leader to serve as interim president.  He knows the campus and the state well, and he’s already leading the institution’s efforts to address some of the most critical opportunities and challenges,” said Milliken.  "He’s a solid, tested, smart leader and he’s completely devoted to the success of the university.  My colleagues and I have been working closely with him on big issues for years, and we look forward to making significant progress during his interim presidency,” he added.

Davis responded to the appointment:  “I am grateful for the leadership and support of Chairman Eltife, the Board of Regents and Chancellor Milliken, and I am honored by this opportunity to further serve our university."