Austin, Texas — Today the UT System Board of Regents named John M. Zerwas, MD as sole finalist for the chancellorship of The University of Texas System and James E. Davis as sole finalist for the presidency at The University of Texas at Austin.

Zerwas currently serves as interim chancellor of the UT System, while Davis serves as interim president of UT Austin.  Zerwas and Davis each received unanimous support as sole finalists for their respective positions by the regents at a special-called meeting. 

On naming Zerwas as the finalist for chancellor, Regents’ Chairman Kevin P. Eltife cited key factors. 

“Dr. Zerwas demonstrates exceptional qualities and an impeccable record in higher education, healthcare, and policy.  His experience as executive vice chancellor of the UT System’s health affairs enterprise since 2019, coupled with prior service in the Texas Legislature—including committee leadership in higher education, health, and appropriations—are among many milestones throughout his career that make him uniquely qualified to serve as our next chancellor.  The regents and all UT presidents respect Dr. Zerwas and trust his sound judgment and thoughtful leadership,” said Eltife. 

The board will consider final action to approve Zerwas as chancellor at its mid-August Board of Regents meeting in Austin, after the state mandated 21-day period for finalists. 

Zerwas thanked the regents for their confidence in him. 

“I have been fortunate to serve Texans in ways I hope have been beneficial to them.  I am humbled and honored to be considered as chancellor of the UT System, and I am profoundly grateful to Chairman Eltife and each regent for conveying their trust in me.  I am surrounded by stellar colleagues at the UT System and across all UT institutions, and I’m eager to work with them in this new capacity to maximize UT’s fullest potential in education, discovery, and healthcare,” said Zerwas.

The regents also voted unanimously to name Jim Davis as sole finalist for the UT Austin presidency. 

The board’s final action to approve Davis will be subject to a 21-day waiting period.  In accordance with Regents Rule 20201, Section 1.9, Chairman Eltife will appoint a special committee composed of faculty, staff, student, alumni and community representation, along with two UT presidents. The committee will be asked to offer the regents advice and an evaluation on Davis, consistent with a review usually provided by a presidential search advisory committee, although no regents will participate on the committee. 

Eltife praised the tremendous progress UT Austin has made under Davis’s leadership, not only during his time as interim president since February 2025, but also while serving in several leadership roles since 2018, including senior vice president and chief operating officer, and vice president for legal affairs and business strategies. 

“The regents have worked directly with Jim Davis over the past seven years on some of the largest and most transformational and complex initiatives ever undertaken by UT Austin. His understanding of almost every facet of UT Austin’s opportunities and challenges is remarkable, and his versatility in being able to navigate them, all the way from conception to successful execution, has served UT very well,” said Eltife. 

He added, “Every proposal Jim brings forward is strategically focused on how UT can best redirect its resources most effectively to serve students and to make it the best national public flagship university in education and innovation.”

“I am grateful for the trust of Chairman Eltife and the Board of Regents and am honored to be considered to serve as our university’s president,” said Davis. 

Eltife expressed gratitude to the regents and enthusiasm for the board’s two major actions.  “Among the top responsibilities of the board of regents is to ensure UT institutions have the best leadership for its system and institutions, so they in turn can serve students and patients with the highest degree of impact.  Today’s action demonstrates that. Texas continues to be a national destination for great minds among its students, faculty, researchers, clinicians and staff, and we will continue to do everything possible to put UT institutions at the forefront of that honor,” he added.