AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas System Board of Regents has officially appointed John M. Zerwas, MD, as chancellor of The University of Texas System, and James E. Davis as president of The University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Zerwas has served as interim chancellor since June 1 and was named the sole finalist for the position on July 21. He has served as the UT System’s executive vice chancellor for health affairs since 2019.
“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.
Prior to joining the UT System, Dr. Zerwas served in the Texas House of Representatives for seven terms, including leadership roles on the House Appropriations Committee and House Higher Education Committee. Among other medical posts, he served as chief medical officer of the Memorial Hermann Hospital System and as a physician for more than four decades.
“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.”
Davis has served as interim president of UT Austin since February 19, 2025, and was named as sole finalist for the presidency on July 21. An accomplished higher education administrator, Davis has previously served as UT Austin’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, and vice president for legal affairs.
“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.
