CCEC Meetings

The 2025 Winter Meeting of the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee (CCEC) was hosted in beautiful and historic Galveston for the first time in a decade.

Over the weekend of activities, UTMB’s renowned faculty and researchers demonstrated how the institution provides medical expertise in every imaginable way. Members learned about UTMB’s unique role in providing care for people at the ends of the earth and beyond, including care for cruise line passengers and crew, polar explorers, and astronauts. They also explored how artificial intelligence can enhance personalized and precision care, the work of the “global disease chasers” at the Galveston National Laboratory, and with ways we can improve our heart, kidney and metabolic health to live longer and healthier lives.

UTMB’s dynamic president, Dr. Jochen Reiser, presented his vision for the institution, including his initiative to bring top neuroscientists to UTMB to help fuel the “brain economy,” the notion that good brain health across a population can be a powerful driver of economic success.
 

The Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee (CCEC) gathered in Washington, D.C., for its Fall Meeting, providing a platform to tackle pressing issues in higher education and government while showcasing the University of Texas (UT) System’s global impact. Against the backdrop of the nation’s capital — and some spectacular sunsets behind the dome — the two-day event offered attendees thought-provoking discussions, intimate dinners at historic sites and the chance to witness first-hand the impact of UT institutions.

The meeting kicked off on Friday afternoon with two sessions focused on critical societal issues: national security and health.

The first session, focusing on cybersecurity, featured insights from leaders in both federal government and academia, including UTEP President Heather Wilson, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence Beth Sanner, and retired Vice Admiral Joe Maguire, who now leads UT Austin’s Clements Center for National Security. Their frontline experiences in federal government and academia made for a frank, beyond-the-headlines conversation about the modern threats to everyday life and the stability of nations.

The second session explored advances in cancer research, with FDA Commissioner Robert Califf and Dr. Peter Pisters, President of UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, highlighting MD Anderson’s pioneering work. The audience learned that in 2023 alone, the center contributed to the development of 60% of cancer drugs approved by the FDA. Califf and Pisters outlined the rigorous path from laboratory research to life-saving treatments, providing attendees with hope and a deep sense of gratitude for the ongoing advancements in cancer care.

That evening, the CCEC enjoyed dinner at the National Portrait Gallery, a fitting venue steeped in American history. The gallery, which houses portraits of key figures from U.S. history, from scientists and U.S. presidents to sports champions and activists, served as the perfect setting for a memorable meal. The Executive Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Kim Sajet, welcomed the group with an engaging talk about the historic significance of the space — which served as the site of President Lincoln’s second inaugural ball — further enriching the evening’s experience.

Saturday morning’s program brought the UT System’s presence in Washington, D.C., into focus through a discussion with alumni of the UT Archer Center Fellowship program. A highlight of the weekend, this panel featured alumni representing various UT institutions, who spoke passionately about how the unique and intensive fellowship program shaped their careers and expanded their perspectives. A particularly moving moment came when co-founder and namesake of the program, former Texas Congressman Bill Archer, was honored with a standing ovation.

During Saturday evening’s event at the Library of Congress, members were treated to an outstanding presentation by UT’s renowned historian, Pulitzer Prize finalist and best-selling author H.W. Brands. Brands told captivating stories of key national figures, bringing history to life under the soaring ceilings of this iconic venue. Discussing his recent books, Founding Partisans and America First, Brands drew compelling parallels to our present political moment and explored how the leaders of earlier times confronted division, tumultuous foreign policy issues and social change.

The weekend was also a chance to welcome 25 new members into the CCEC, hailing from nine UT institutions and 17 universities outside the UT System. This broad representation underscored the commitment of the group to public higher education in Texas. The business meeting included discussions on record research funding, enrollment updates, and a look ahead at the legislative session starting in January 2025.