Harrison Keller Resigns as Texas Higher Education Coordinator, Will Take Over as President of the University of North Texas

Harrison Keller, the commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is stepping down. Keller will become the president of the University of North Texas as of August 1, the university announced on Monday.

"I'm excited as I can be," said Chancellor Michael Williams of the UNT system. "First and foremost, he's a values-based leader [...] which aligns perfectly with me and our board."

The University of North Texas, located in Denton, is a Tier 1 research university serving nearly 47,000 students. It has a significant economic impact on the Dallas-Fort Worth area, estimated at $1.65 billion.

Keller was chosen after a nationwide search that began in February. He cited UNT's "openness to innovation" as a key factor in his decision to accept the position.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity [...] I'm looking forward to being there in August," Keller said.

Keller has played a crucial role in Texas higher education policy. During his tenure, he expanded the state's strategic plan, "Building a Talent Strong Texas," to include all working ages. He also set ambitious goals for debt management and promoted the concept of "credentials of value."

Chancellor Williams praised Keller as an "architect" of the Texas University Fund and highlighted his national and local awareness, innovative spirit, and collaborative approach as reasons for his unanimous selection.

The search for Keller's successor is already underway, with an advisory committee formed and a goal to have a new leader in place by January 1, 2024.

"We are looking for a leader who [...] is excited and motivated to innovate in higher education and address the needs of today's students and Texas' rapidly changing workforce needs," said board chair Fred Farias.