Southern Methodist University (SMU) has announced that Jay Hartzell, currently the president of the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), will become its next president effective June 1. The decision was unanimously approved by SMU’s board of trustees, marking a significant leadership transition for the Dallas-based university.
Hartzell, a respected academic leader, has served as UT Austin’s president since 2020. During his tenure, he launched an ambitious 10-year strategic plan in 2022 to position UT Austin as the world’s highest-impact public research university. Before becoming president, Hartzell was the dean of UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business, where he built a reputation for fostering innovation and academic excellence.
“I am honored to serve as the next president of an exceptional institution like SMU in one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing cities in the nation,” Hartzell said in a statement. “I am excited to see how I can make the greatest impact as a leader.”
Hartzell’s appointment comes as SMU’s current president, R. Gerald Turner, transitions to the role of president emeritus. Turner, who has led SMU for 30 years, announced his resignation in September 2024. He will continue to support the university by focusing on development and external affairs.
“With Dr. Hartzell taking the reins, I am confident that SMU will continue building on a generation of remarkable success,” Turner said. “Gail and I are excited to support Jay and Kara as they continue SMU’s prominence and impact at the national level.”
The leadership transition has also drawn praise from the University of Texas System leadership. Kevin P. Eltife, Chairman of the UT System Board of Regents, and Chancellor J.B. Milliken released a joint statement congratulating Hartzell and acknowledging his contributions over the past 24 years. “We greatly appreciate his service as UT Austin’s president since 2020 and on its faculty since 2001,” the statement read. “His last day on the Forty Acres will be May 31.”
The statement also highlighted the strong foundation Hartzell leaves behind. “UT Austin is one of the world’s outstanding universities, with an exceptional faculty, staff, and leadership team in place to position it for even greater influence in the years ahead,” Eltife and Milliken added. “We wish President Hartzell our very best in his new leadership role in Dallas, and we thank him for his many contributions to UT over the past 24 years.”
Hartzell’s leadership at SMU is expected to bring fresh energy and strategic vision to the university, which has a long-standing reputation for excellence in academics, research, and community engagement. The appointment is seen as a pivotal moment for SMU as it seeks to expand its influence on the national stage.
With a focus on innovation and collaboration, Hartzell’s presidency promises to build on SMU’s rich history while charting a bold course for the future. As SMU prepares for this exciting new chapter, the university community is optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead under Hartzell’s leadership.
