The University of Texas System Board of Regents has confirmed the appointments of John M. Zerwas, MD, as chancellor of the UT System and James E. Davis as president of The University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Zerwas had been serving as interim chancellor since June 1 and was named sole finalist for the position on July 21. He previously held the role of executive vice chancellor for health affairs at the UT System since 2019. Before joining the UT System, Dr. Zerwas served seven terms in the Texas House of Representatives, where he held leadership positions on both the House Appropriations Committee and House Higher Education Committee. His medical career includes serving as chief medical officer at Memorial Hermann Hospital System and practicing medicine for over forty years.
“Dr. Zerwas is a dedicated public servant and proven leader at the highest levels of university academic and health administration. He is uniquely equipped to lead the UT System as we continue to serve our students and patients across this great state,” said Board Chairman Kevin P. Eltife.
“I’m grateful to each member of the Board of Regents for the trust they’ve placed in me to lead this extraordinary public university system,” said Zerwas. “I take great pride in serving our leadership across all UT institutions as we work together to advance education, research, innovation and health care across Texas.”
James E. Davis has served as interim president at UT Austin since February 19, 2025, before being named sole finalist for president on July 21. Davis’s previous roles include senior vice president and chief operating officer, as well as vice president for legal affairs at UT Austin.
“Jim Davis has a remarkable track record of getting monumental things done on the Forty Acres,” Chairman Eltife said. “We have no doubt that under his leadership, working with the Board of Regents, UT Austin will achieve even higher levels as one of the world’s great public universities.”
“I’m grateful for the trust of Chairman Eltife and the Board of Regents and am honored to serve as our university’s president,” said Davis.
“The Board of Regents will conclude its meeting tomorrow with new leaders, a new budget and a tremendous sense of energy and momentum across the UT System,” said Eltife. “We have an incredible set of leaders in place across our institutions, and we are eager to support their vision,” he added.
