Chancellor Bill McRaven set to unveil strategic vision for the University of Texas System

AUSTIN—A year after retiring as a four-star Navy admiral, Chancellor William H. McRaven is ready to chart a course for the University of Texas System.

Chancellor McRaven will present his strategic vision for the UT System during the Board of Regents meeting at about 8:40 a.m. (central time), Thursday, Nov. 5. The presentation, which will be webcast live, will be held on the ninth floor of Ashbel Smith Hall, 201 W. 7^th St., and will be followed by a media availability with Chancellor McRaven and Board Chairman Paul Foster.

Given McRaven’s storied career in the U.S. Navy and his reputation as one of the nation’s most respected military leaders, the vision will offer a compelling, uncompromising take on higher education and the responsibilities the UT System and its institutions must rise to over the next five years. The chancellor’s vision will serve as a roadmap for the UT System and its 14 institutions, which enroll more than 217,000 students and employ more than 90,000 staff, faculty, researchers and health care professionals.

McRaven is a recognized national authority on U.S. foreign policy and, as the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, was responsible for conducting counter-terrorism operations worldwide. When he made the decision to retire and take the reins of the UT System in January, it was because, he said, he was inspired by the opportunity to change lives through education, research and health care.

“I know the chancellor’s plan will be exciting and ambitious and will position the UT System as the nation’s premier system of higher education,” Chairman Foster said. “We knew when we appointed Chancellor McRaven that his tremendous leadership skills and his bold, new ideas would take the UT System to new heights.”

Following the presentation Thursday morning, Chancellor McRaven and Chairman Foster will briefly answer questions from the media in room 208 of Ashbel Smith Hall. The media availability will begin at about 10:15 a.m., or before the Regents recess into executive session.

Reporters who are unable to attend the media availability can contact the Office of Public Affairs to make arrangements to listen in via conference call.

Parking for the news media is available at the guard kiosk on Colorado Street between 6^th and 7^th streets.

The full agenda for the Nov. 4-5 Board of Regents meeting is posted online.

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and an enrollment of more than 217,000, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates almost two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System has an annual operating budget of $16.9 billion (FY 2016) including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With about 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates – and more than 70,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.