Friday, June 7, 2024

Dear UNT System Community,

It is my pleasure to inform you that Dr. Harrison Keller, commissioner and chief executive officer for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, has been named the sole finalist for the UNT presidency after a unanimous vote by the UNT System Board of Regents today.

The Board and I believe Dr. Keller is exactly the kind of strategic, transformational, and accomplished leader we need to guide and strengthen UNT as a growing research university. He has had a successful career in shaping Texas higher education, including experience serving in university administration, leading a state agency, and implementing impactful statewide student success initiatives.

Today’s vote successfully concludes a highly competitive national search. I want to thank the members of the presidential search advisory committee who were committed to finding the very best candidate to serve as the next president of UNT. In addition, the advisory committee and I deeply appreciate the input that campus leaders, faculty, staff, students, and alumni provided to inform and shape our search.

Dr. Keller’s ability to innovate and partner both statewide and nationally will have an invaluable impact on UNT. This is an important moment for our UNT System as UNT continues to provide high-quality, comprehensive educational and research opportunities for our students and the state of Texas.

I want to thank President Smatresk for his decade of service to UNT and his commitment to continuing to guide the institution during this time of transition. The Board is expected to finalize its selection the week of July 1 after observing the 21-day waiting period required by state law.

In conclusion, I want to express my sincerest gratitude to our UNT faculty and staff members for their commitment to helping our flagship university remain one of our state’s best institutions of higher education. Together, we will continue to place students first in all we do, and I am excited for the promising future that awaits our UNT community.

With gratitude,

Dr. Michael R. Williams
Chancellor