Texas Education Board Czar Steps Down to Run Univ. of North Texas

Harrison Keller, the commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is stepping down from his post to become the president of the University of North Texas. Effective Aug. 1, Keller will assume his new role as the university's leader, as announced Monday.

"I'm about as excited as I can be," said Chancellor Michael Williams of the UNT System. He gushed about Keller, "He's a values-based leader, he cares deeply about people, our students, and families," which apparently aligns perfectly with his and the board's beliefs.

Located in Denton, just north of Dallas, the University of North Texas is a Tier 1 research university serving almost 47,000 students. It has a significant $1.65 billion impact on the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Keller was chosen after a nationwide search that began in February. He told the Statesman that UNT's "openness" to innovation and improving student success attracted him to the university, which is totally not what every job candidate says.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... I can't wait to get on campus and start meeting people," Keller said, already sounding like a typical suit-and-tie university president.

Keller whipped out his resume, telling us that the university has been essential to the state coordinating board, which was created by the Texas Legislature 60 years ago to "represent the highest authority in matters of public higher education." Yeah, 'cause we all know Texas politicians are the brightest bulbs in the box when it comes to education.

The board pushes for workforce development, unites stakeholders, and improves efficiency (i.e., cuts costs). They also collect data and throw scholarships at students, like the Texas Leadership Scholars Program, which apparently UNT students needed this year.

During his five-year reign as commissioner, Keller expanded the state's strategic plan for higher education, "Building a Talent Strong Texas." His plan included Texans of all working ages and aimed to align institutions' credentials with the state's economic needs, 'cause God knows we need more oil rig workers and fewer liberal arts grads.

Keller set a lofty goal: 95% of Texas undergraduates should graduate with no student debt, or at least debt they can manage. "We're the first state to lean into this concept of credentials of values," he boasted, whatever that means.

He also patted himself on the back for transformative changes to community college funding through House Bill 8, which rewards colleges for credentials students earn. About a dozen states have copied Texas's homework on this one.

The coordinating board also improved its data sharing, trained career advisors, and created a marketing campaign to brainwash—I mean, "engage"—K-12 students into thinking about their future.

Williams sang Keller's praises, saying he was an "architect" of the Texas University Fund, which boosted research money for eligible universities. He also claimed Keller has good connections and understands the Texas Legislature, which is a nice way of saying he plays the political game well.

After Keller was named the finalist, the coordinating board formed an advisory committee to find their next victim...I mean, leader. UT President Jay Hartzell, EPCC President William Serrata, and Texas A&M System Vice Chancellor James Hallmark will serve on this committee, aka the old boys' club.

Board Chair Fred Farias said the committee has already met, and they aim to find a new leader by Jan. 1, adding that they hope the next commissioner will continue Keller's legacy in research, affordability, and the strategic plan.

"We're looking for a leader who...is excited to innovate and address the needs of today's students and Texas' rapidly changing workforce," Farias said, presumably while wearing a 10-gallon hat and chugging a Lone Star.

Keller, meanwhile, hopes the next commissioner will "build on the momentum" and admitted, "I'm so proud of what we've done," probably without a hint of sarcasm.