The UT System Board of Regents voted Aug. 20 to appoint John Zerwas as the UT System chancellor, according to a University press release.
Zerwas has served as the interim chancellor since June and was named the sole finalist for UT System Chancellor in July. He is stepping into the role of former Chancellor J.B. Milliken, who stepped down from his position to serve as the president of the University of California. He joined the system as the executive vice chancellor for health affairs in 2019, providing strategic and administrative oversight for the seven medical schools and clinical care infrastructure within the system, according to Zerwas’s biography on the UT System website.
“Dr. Zerwas has worked with regents over the five past years on initiatives that not only are strengthening the capabilities of the system’s vast health enterprise but also implementing new partnerships between UT’s academic universities and health institutions to broaden educational, research, clinical, and operational opportunities across the entire board,” wrote system Chairman Kevin Eltife in a May press release.
Before Zerwas joined the system, he served seven terms in the Texas House of Representatives as a Republican for Texas House District 28, which encompasses most of Fort Bend County, and served as the chairman of the House Higher Education Committee in 2015. In the May press release, Eltife wrote that Zerwas’s distinguished service in the Texas Legislature as a higher education advocate and budget expert has benefitted the system and its institutions.
Zerwas practiced as a physician for more than 40 years and remained active in the practice and operations of the practice until joining the UT System, according to Zerwas’s biography.
“Dr. Zerwas is a dedicated public servant and proven leader at the highest levels of university academic and health administration,” Eltife said in the release. “He is uniquely equipped to lead the UT System as we continue to serve our students and patients across this great state.”
Zerwas said he was grateful to the Board of Regents for placing its trust in him to lead the UT System.
“I take great pride in serving our leadership across all UT institutions as we work together to advance education, research, innovation and health care across Texas,” Zerwas said.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with more information about John Zerwas.
