UT System Announcement:
Chancellor William H. McRaven today announced the hiring of two respected leaders to fill pivotal roles for The University of Texas System. McRaven said these new team members will be critically important in his mission to make the UT System and the state of Texas the world’s center of excellence in higher education.
David E. Daniel, Ph.D., will move from his post as president of UT Dallas to become McRaven’s right-hand man beginning July 1, carrying out the chancellor’s vision for UT in the new role of deputy chancellor. Daniel will assist McRaven in the implementation of the UT System’s major goals and will handle a number of the daily operational aspects of the organization. Steven Leslie, Ph.D. will become UT System’s chief academic leader as executive vice chancellor for academic affairs beginning May 11. read full announcement
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Today, the University of Texas System announced that I will take on a new role as Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer of the UT System, effective July 1. Dr. Hobson Wildenthal will become Interim President beginning July 1. Within a few weeks, a search committee to recommend candidates for the new President of UT Dallas will be appointed.
As Deputy Chancellor, I will be the second-highest ranking administrator in the UT System and will assist in formulation and implementation of the UT System’s major goals. As Chief Operating Officer, I will be responsible for personnel and daily functioning of the UT System Administration.
As I have come to know Chancellor William McRaven better, I am increasingly excited about this new opportunity. Chancellor McRaven is an extraordinary leader who is deeply committed to addressing the most significant challenges facing higher education. I believe that my experience can be helpful as we address issues such as improving student success, making important research discoveries, improving the health of Texans, and positively impacting our students and our state. The institutions that comprise the UT System — led by our Board of Regents, Chancellor McRaven, and the Presidents of our institutions — are in an ideal position to be leaders in developing solutions. I look forward to becoming part of the team that will tackle these critical challenges at a System- and state-wide level.
Please know that this isn’t a goodbye. I will return to campus frequently and will relish the opportunity to visit old friends, make new ones, witness continuing progress toward achieving status as a Tier One research university, and work closely with the leadership of all the UT System institutions, including UT Dallas, to help realize goals.
I will be leaving the Office of the President at UTD in very capable hands. Dr. Hobson Wildenthal is a highly accomplished leader who has been instrumental in building academic excellence at UTD for more than two decades. He will no doubt sustain and even increase our momentum in the months ahead.
Any change in leadership creates uncertainty. But UT Dallas is in an excellent position to attract a superb President. The position represents one of the most exciting higher-education leadership opportunities in the nation. I am confident that exceptional candidates will be identified who can lead UT Dallas to outstanding achievements. I look forward to advising on the search process at the UT System level.
I express heartfelt appreciation to the extraordinary students, staff, faculty, leadership, benefactors, and supporters of UTD for a decade of friendship, collaboration, and shared accomplishment. It’s been pure joy for me. Just the mention of UTD brings a smile, and a strong sense of gratitude for the honor and privilege of working with the UTD family for the past 10 years.
With appreciation,
David E. Daniel