Jerrod KingeryThe University of Texas System has named Jim Davis as the interim president of the University of Texas at Austin (UT), effective immediately.
Davis, who is currently UT’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, is a graduate of UT Austin and Harvard Law School.
He also previously served as UT’s vice president for legal affairs and business strategies.
“Jim Davis has consistently executed very effective and high-impact strategies to propel UT Austin’s rise,” said Chairman Kevin P. Eltife. “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.”
UT’s current president, Jay Hartzell, announced last month that he was stepping down to be the next president of Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Hartzell planned to leave at the end of the academic year, but the appointment of Davis as interim president has ended his tenure earlier than expected.
“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,” said Davis.
Photo courtesy The University of Texas at Austin
