UT President Jay Hartzell to step down, lead Southern Methodist University

SMU names UT's Jay Hartzell as next university president

After five academic years as the president of the University of Texas, Jay Hartzell is stepping down to become the next leader at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

UT Austin president departing for Southern Methodist University

Jay Hartzell has served as the Texas public university’s leader since 2020 and joined its faculty in 2001.

UT Austin president leaves for top job at Southern Methodist

University of Texas at Austin president Jay Hartzell is moving 200 miles up the interstate to take the helm of Southern Methodist University, the private Dallas college announced Tuesday.

University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell leaving to lead Southern Methodist University

Under Hartzell's leadership, UT Austin joined the Southeastern Conference and achieved new highs when it comes to applications, enrollment and graduation rates. His time as president was also marked by challenges and controversy as he led the university through a state-mandated ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs as well as pro-Palestinian protests last spring.

UT Austin prez ditches Longhorns for another elite Texas school

Jay Hartzell, current UT Austin president, will become SMU's 11th president in June 2025, following a unanimous vote by the SMU Board of Trustees.

UT Austin President Jay Hartzell leaving to lead Southern Methodist University

Hartzell said in an email Tuesday that he accepted an offer to serve as SMU’s next president beginning on June 1. Hartzell has been president of UT Austin since 2020.