Maleia Torres, Associate Vice Chancellor of Treasury
University of North Texas System
University of North Texas System
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The University of North Texas System Board of Regents officially appointed Dr. Harrison Keller to lead the University of North Texas – the system’s flagship campus and the third-largest university in Texas. Today’s unanimous vote comes after Texas’ mandatory 21-day waiting period for a presidential appointment.
Dr. Keller, who currently serves as the commissioner and chief executive officer of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, will become the 17th president in UNT’s history, effective Aug. 1. He will succeed Dr. Neal Smatresk who became president of UNT in 2014.
"Having spent his career committed to elevating Texas higher education, Harrison Keller is a natural leader and innovator who is uniquely qualified to lead UNT through new levels of excellence,” Chancellor Michael R. Williams said. “Dr. Keller will bring new opportunities and national awareness to UNT that will help advance the university to its next tier of success, and he has the experience and strategic vision to strengthen UNT as a Tier One research university that puts students first.
“Dr. Keller is committed to collaborative leadership and has a deep passion for student success, and I am excited to see what UNT will accomplish next.”
Since 2019, Dr. Keller has provided statewide leadership and coordination of higher education budget and policy for the world’s eighth largest economy, and he is responsible for overhauling Texas’s strategic plan for higher education and overseeing an annual budget of more than $1.7 billion. Under his visionary leadership, he has advanced policy and programs that improve college readiness and student success — especially for low-income and first-generation students.
“I am honored by the opportunity to lead the state’s third-largest and fastest-growing university and am inspired by the openness to innovation and commitment to students among UNT System leadership, faculty and staff,” Dr. Keller said. “I look forward to engaging with the UNT community and advancing the rich history, values-centered leadership, and amazing capabilities of the University of North Texas.”
The UNT Presidential Search Advisory Committee was led by UNT System Board of Regents Chair Laura Wright, with Chancellor Williams serving as vice chair. “Dr. Keller is a leader who will build strategic partnerships, recruit world-class talent, and advance UNT’s role in meeting the demands of our region, state and nation,” Chair Wright said. “I am certain he will advance the university while remaining committed to student success, academic excellence, and growing our presence as a Tier One research university.”
Appointed by the UNT System Board of Regents and reporting to the UNT System Chancellor, the president serves as the chief executive officer of the university. The president oversees university administration and operations and sets the institution’s vision and strategic objectives, including enhancing the university’s academic excellence, strengthening its portfolio of research, scholarship, and creative activity, and fostering the university’s student-focused identity.
More about Dr. Keller
Dr. Harrison Keller is currently commissioner and chief executive officer for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. He is a sixth-generation Texan with more than 25 years of experience in state budget and policy, university administration, fundraising, and building coalitions among higher education institutions, school districts, and policymakers to expand opportunity through education.
Since becoming commissioner in October 2019, Dr. Keller has led major initiatives and innovations, including working with higher education leaders, employers, and policymakers to develop the state’s current strategic plan for higher education, Building a Talent Strong Texas.
With adoption of this plan in January 2022, Texas became the first state to condition its goals for awarding higher education credentials on the economic value of those credentials to students. Dr. Keller also has worked with the governor, legislators, and higher education leaders to accelerate innovation and increase state support for student financial aid, transfer, workforce education, and research and development.
Dr. Keller is a recognized innovator in policy and programs to improve college readiness and student success, especially for low-income and first-generation students. He is the founder of the OnRamps dual enrollment initiative that provides college-level courses to tens of thousands of high school students across Texas each year. He also founded Texas OnCourse, which supports thousands of college and career advisors across the state.
Dr. Keller came to the coordinating board from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was deputy to the president for strategy and policy and a professor of practice. At UT Austin, Dr. Keller also served as vice provost for higher education policy and research and executive director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. Earlier in his career, Dr. Keller was a legislative aide in the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives, director of research for the Texas House, and senior education advisor for the Speaker of the Texas House.
Dr. Keller has taught at Georgetown University, St. Edward’s University, and the University of Texas at Austin. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s and Ph.D. in philosophy from Georgetown University. From 2005 to 2015, he served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve. He and his wife, Gena Nivens Keller, currently live in Austin with their three children.
About the UNT Presidential Search Advisory Committee
The UNT Presidential Search Advisory Committee was led by UNT System Board of Regents Chair Laura Wright, with Chancellor Williams serving as vice chair. The committee also convened a series of listening sessions to solicit feedback across a spectrum of internal and external UNT stakeholders, whose input was fundamental to the development of guiding principles that helped set the aim for the committee.
The Advisory Committee members were:
Staff supporting the Advisory Committee included:
The UNT Dallas College of Law Community Lawyering Centers have received $500,000 in new funding, as part of a spending package signed by President Joe Biden over the weekend. The legislation totaled $460 billion, including $10,476,031 for various projects in Texas's 30th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
“The Community Project Funding will pay for 11 transformational projects for the people of TX-30,” said Rep. Crockett.
The Community Lawyering Centers provide free legal services to eligible residents. Students from UNT Dallas College of Law handle cases, which are supervised by faculty from UNT Dallas College of Law and experienced attorneys from Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Dallas Public Defender’s Office, and other qualified attorneys.
“This funding will support a critical part of the UNT Dallas College of Law curriculum. The Community Lawyering Centers allow us to provide valuable practical experience to our students and much-needed legal services to our community while meeting ABA standards that require experiential education. I am grateful to Rep. Crockett for her advocacy,” said UNT Dallas College of Law Dean Felicia Epps.
Legal matters handled by the CLC include:
“We are very grateful to Congresswoman Crockett for her work to secure this funding for our Community Lawyering Centers. The crown jewels of the law school, the centers reflect the intentional integration of innovative education and community service that are foundational pillars of the school. With these funds, we will be able to expand our outreach as we begin a new phase of delivering legal assistance while continuing our neighborhood-based program,” said UNT Dallas College of Law Professor Cheryl B. Wattley.
Through the CLCs, UNT Dallas law students:
The Community Lawyering Centers were founded in 2016 and offer day and evening appointments during the week, and Saturday appointments.
4716 Elsie Faye Heggins Street
Dallas, Texas 75210
469-351-0024
469-351-0025
511 North Akard St., Suite 102
Dallas, Texas 75201
214-855-7892
The Community Lawyering Centers have strong relationships with other local organizations. These partnerships allow the CLC to broaden the resources it offers to residents and businesses. Legal services are provided by:
Others offering services to the centers or to residents of the community through the centers include:
UNT Dallas Urban SERCH Institute DISD
In addition to the federal funding just announced, UNT Dallas College of Law gratefully acknowledges generous donations to the Community Lawyering Centers program from:
The combined funding from donations, the federal government, and other sources ensures the continuous operation of the Community Lawyering Centers and the important services they provide to Dallas area residents in need of legal assistance.
New York, October 23, 2023 -- Moody's Investors Service announces that an increase in authorization for University of North Texas System, TX's (Aa2 stable) Commercial Paper Notes program has no credit impact.
Please see below for the full news release from Moody's.
Enrollment climbs for five years running, as work-ready Mean Green grads drive the North Texas economy
DENTON (UNT), Texas — The largest-ever student body — numbering 46,940 — enrolled for the Fall 2023 semester at the University of North Texas. The more than 5% growth in enrollment comes from first-time-in-college freshmen, graduate students and those studying at UNT at Frisco, the university’s campus serving Collin County.
“This is a clear demonstration that students and their families see UNT as an exceptional educational value,” UNT President Neal Smatresk said. “Our commitment to a real-world, affordable education along with nationally ranked programs are bringing record numbers to UNT. We are providing more and more students the opportunity to attend college and earn a degree that prepares them for a successful career with top employers.”
Since 2019, UNT has been instrumental in shaping higher education across Texas — accounting for 52.3% of the growth in new enrollees at state public universities.Notably, UNT’s record-breaking enrollment numbers for the past five consecutive years are coupled with a rising number of degrees conferred. In the past two years alone, UNT has awarded nearly 24,000 new degrees.
As the university serves more students and awards more degrees than ever —particularly in business, information science, and computer science and engineering, it is bolstering the North Texas region’s workforce and helping drive the state’s economy. Since 2012, UNT has produced more than 105,000 degree holders equating to an economic impact of $5.4 billion in potential annual earnings.
“Education is a key that unlocks opportunity and economic mobility,” said Kirsten Kuykendoll, Head of Talent Acquisition at Fidelity Investments. “We’re proud to have many University of North Texas alums and recent graduates working on behalf of our customers, clients and community organizations. Fidelity is committed to providing opportunities to the next generation and investing in our community here in North Texas.”
This fall, the Mean Green Family welcomed 7,049 first-time college students and saw an increase in the graduate student population of more than 15% from 2022. The university’s focus on career readiness leverages innovative curriculum that allows students to design their own degrees and prepare for future careers through the UNT Career Center with the help of embedded career coaches in every college.
“We are being proactive with our services, providing required courses in the first two years for students — that’s the cutting-edge piece,” said Eileen Buecher, assistant vice president of the UNT Career Center. “Other universities are headed in this direction, but UNT is getting there first, and we’re doing it on a large scale.”
At the UNT Career Center, dedicated career coaches specialize in career development and employer relations as they work with industry partners in North Texas and around the globe.
UNT’s commitment to prepare students to make a difference in the workforce recently expanded with a $3 million gift from Satish and Yasmin Gupta to establish a new career center at UNT at Frisco. And later this month, UNT will officially dedicate The Wilson Jones Career Center in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business, which was established with a $5 million gift from the alumnus and his wife, Jane.
Enrollment at UNT at Frisco continues to grow with more than 3,140 students at Frisco Landing, the first permanent building that opened earlier this year at the branch campus in Collin County.
“UNT at Frisco is a dream fulfilled for the city and our employers, offering the majors and curriculum needed to educate a future-ready workforce,” City of Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney said. “The learning environment at Frisco Landing is key to preparing a pipeline of talent for tomorrow’s jobs. Frisco companies are looking to hire those who are ready to innovate and work collaboratively.”
The University of North Texas is celebrating the fourth consecutive record-breaking fall census day with 19% growth in new freshmen, 19% growth in graduate students, and nearly 4% growth in newly minted degree holders that will change the lives of students, families, and communities throughout the North Texas region and Texas.
While schools around the country have lost enrollment, UNT has seen unprecedented growth, increasing 13.5% since 2019. UNT’s growth through and after the pandemic means 44,532 students — an increase of 5.6% or 2,364 new students — enrolled at Texas’ most comprehensive Tier One research university serving the North Texas region, according to UNT’s latest 12th class day enrollment report.
This makes UNT one of the fastest growing universities in Texas and the nation, UNT President Neal Smatresk said.
“We are committed to helping our students succeed and to thrive beyond graduation in our complex and ever-changing world,” Smatresk said. “UNT continues to be the university of choice for more students than ever before, and UNT remains one of the top producers in awarding degrees in the North Texas region, which speaks to our desire to help our students be successful and to help Texas meet the workforce demands of the future. No other university system in the region does more than UNT to drive Texas’ progress.”
This year’s record-breaking class of new freshmen includes 6,708 students (up 19% from 2021) who come from all over Texas, the nation and the globe. This freshmen class is far bigger than any other group of new freshmen in the region. In addition, UNT has record growth (19%) in graduate students, with 11,567 students seeking advanced degrees to improve their futures.
“UNT is the preferred destination in North Texas for high school seniors,” Smatresk said. “It’s incredible to have 19% — or 1,064 — more new freshmen on campus this year. To also have 19% growth in graduate students, after several years of fast-paced growth at that level, is incredible, and I am proud that UNT can serve students, families and Texas.”
UNT students benefit from a challenging education as well as a diverse and supportive community committed to their success. UNT is proud to be designated a Minority-Serving Institution and one of only 21 Carnegie Tier One research universities designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution, joining in with the others to form the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities. More importantly, UNT is proud to have the highest four-year graduation rate in the North Texas region for Hispanic students.
UNT continues to offer and grow in much needed degree programs such as data analytics, biomedical engineering, and a complete suite of business options at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level.
UNT is also teaching 2,579 students at its locations in Frisco. In January 2023, the new branch campus will open its first building on the 100-acres donated by the City of Frisco to establish convenient access to the opportunities that a UNT education provides for those in Collin County and beyond.
There are more than 10,000 UNT alumni leading businesses as executives in North Texas, and more than 324,000 alumni work in the region, which is home to 24 of the state’s 53 Fortune 500 companies. State demographers predict that the Dallas-Fort Worth area will surpass Chicago as the United States’ third-largest metropolitan area in the next 10 years. UNT is committed to continue meeting the unprecedented workforce demands of this growth to ensure Texas meets its higher education graduation goals and remains attractive to business.
Note: Until the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board verifies enrollment numbers and makes them official later in the fall, all enrollment statistics are unofficial, 12th class day numbers.
DALLAS – The UNT System Board of Regents unanimously approved the FY23 annual UNT System consolidated budget during the August meeting, which included no raises in tuition.
“We are thrilled to announce that for the seventh consecutive year, the UNT System will not raise tuition,” said Dr. Michael R. Williams, UNT System Chancellor. “During a time when inflation is at an all-time high, the entire UNT System remains committed to providing an education of great value that is accessible and affordable for all students.”
Chancellor Williams reiterated his commitment to judicious fiscal management, saying, “the UNT System will continue to demonstrate fiscal stewardship by identifying cost-savings to ensure no unnecessary financial burden is being passed on to our students and their families.”
The last time any UNT campus raised tuition was in 2016. Between May 2016 and May of this year, the price of milk has increased 33 percent and the cost of eggs has increased 70 percent, while the price of UNT’s tuition has stayed flat.
Chancellor Williams continued, “The UNT System is dedicated to transforming the value proposition of higher education and is laser-focused on our students and their families, their experience, learning, and lifetime success.”
UNT Dallas is proud to be among the most successful colleges in the country to advance social mobility by enrolling and graduating a high number of students who face economic challenges and by elevating its low-income graduates to a higher standard of living. Among Regional Universities West, UNT Dallas is ranked #11 in Texas and #52 overall.
The U.S. News and World Report ranking specifically looks at the proportional number of students awarded Pell grants. During the 2020-21 academic year, 56% of students enrolled at UNT Dallas were awarded Pell grants as compared to the national average of around 30% of all students enrolled in undergraduate programs.
Social and economic mobility rankings reflect a new approach to assessing institutions of higher education that examines their proportion of enrollment for students from low- and moderate-backgrounds and how well they provide them with a strong return on their educational investment.
In the recently published article, Out With the Old, In With the New: Rating Higher Ed by Economic Mobility, UNT Dallas ranked number 3 in Texas and 15 in the nation on the Economic Mobility Index.
“UNT Dallas is committed to enhancing the economic mobility of its current and future students,” said UNT Dallas President Bob Mong. “We believe that parents’ income should not dictate whether students get a college degree! Our vision is to offer a pathway to a meaningful and prosperous future.”
Making higher education available to all dedicated, hardworking students, regardless of background and circumstance is just one of the ways that UNT Dallas lives its mission to empower students, transform lives, and strengthen communities. The university boasts a student body that is around 85% minority and 70% first-generation college students and has focused on serving local underserved populations, concentrating recruiting efforts in southern Dallas communities. The university is committed to keeping tuition rates low and offers the most affordable tuition among four-year universities in the DFW metroplex.
Dr. Michael R. Williams, Chancellor of the University of North Texas System, today announced a new organizational structure based on goals to better meet the distinct needs of each of the system’s campuses in Denton, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Frisco.
"As a system we can better support the work of our staff, faculty, and students on each campus, and this new structure will allow us to meet that objective," says Dr. Williams. "We will gain greater clarity in responsibilities, with greater accountability and efficiency in decision making at the system level. Each campus will see more supportive resources being allocated where they are most needed, and in return create greater value for everyone."
Dr. Williams noted that the Board of Regents has reviewed and enthusiastically approved the goals and rationale supporting the organizational changes.
The new structure, which eliminates a limited number of UNT System leadership positions, is expected to streamline lines of communication, and create greater opportunities for innovation, while reallocating resources to deliver greater value as well as cost savings.
Dr. Williams became chancellor on Jan. 1, 2022 and continues to serve as President of the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC). He has served as the HSC’s president since 2012, and previously served on the UNT System Board of Regents. Under his leadership, the HSC saw record enrollment without raising tuition since 2013, created more than 650 new medical residency slots for the DFW region, opened a new Pharmacy School and established a Lena Pope Early Learning Center on campus, all while growing research awards by more than $115 million. Under Dr. Williams’ leadership, HSC also ranked first among U.S. medical schools for innovation and research impact by the George W. Bush Institute.
The University of North Texas System Board of Regents today appointed Dr. Michael R. Williams – current President of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC) – as UNT System Chancellor, effective Jan. 1, 2022. At the request of the Board of Regents, Dr. Williams will continue to serve as President of HSC to lead the search for the next President of the graduate academic medical center and support its leadership transition.
The appointment of Dr. Williams as Chancellor was made official during a special board meeting held late Monday afternoon following the mandatory, 21-day waiting period from the time Dr. Williams was announced as sole finalist to become the system’s fourth chancellor on Nov. 8. The Board of Regents unanimously selected Dr. Williams, a Health Science Center alumnus, to become Chancellor after a months-long search process following the announcement of current Chancellor Lesa Roe’s retirement plans.
Dr. Williams has served as HSC’s President since 2012, and previously served on the UNT System Board of Regents. Under his leadership, HSC saw record enrollment without raising tuition since 2013, created more than 650 new medical residency slots for the DFW region, opened a new Pharmacy School, established a Lena Pope Early Learning Center on campus, all while growing
research awards by more than $115 million. HSC also ranked first among U.S. medical schools for innovation and research impact by the George W. Bush Institute under Dr. Williams’ leadership.
Dr. Williams practiced anesthesiology and critical care medicine in Texas for more than 20 years and is an experienced business executive and entrepreneur. Dr. Williams served as Chief Executive Officer of Hill Country Memorial Hospital, during which time the hospital received numerous state and national awards, becoming a Truven Top 100 U.S. hospital in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and earned the 2014 Malcolm Baldrige National Presidential Quality Award.
The Chancellor is the chief executive officer of the UNT System and is responsible for all aspects of the System’s operations, including management of 13,000+ employees and oversight of the three UNT System campuses.
