David E. Daniel, current president of the University of Texas at Dallas, has been named deputy chancellor and chief operating officer for the University of Texas System.
Daniel will become a key member of Chancellor William H. McRaven’s team in leading the university, effective July 1.
“David Daniel possesses skills that are transferable across the system in managing and leading people, operations, new construction and technology. He is a respected voice on the needs and benefits of higher education to the state of Texas, and he has demonstrated that he knows how to propel an institution forward on a magnificent trajectory,” McRaven said.
In a letter to the university, Daniel said that as the second-highest ranking administrator in the UT System, he will assist in formulation and implementation of the UT System’s major goals. He will also be responsible for personnel and daily functioning of the UT System Administration.
Hobson Wildenthal will become interim president of Richardson-based UT Dallas when Daniel moves into his new position.
McRaven said the UT System will immediately launch a national search to select UT Dallas’ next president.
“David Daniel has successfully put UT Dallas on a path to become one of Texas’ top tier research universities, and we will work diligently to select a new president who will lead and even accelerate the institution’s meteoric rise,” McRaven said.
Daniel has spent the last decade leading UT Dallas. During that time, UT Dallas has increased enrollment 60 percent, from 14,000 to 23,000. He has also worked to increase research funding for the university with the goal of reaching Tier 1 status.
Daniel received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and served on the faculty at UT Austin from 1980 to 1996. In 1996, he moved to the University of Illinois, finishing his service as dean of the College of Engineering before being appointed UT Dallas’ president in 2005.
McRaven also announced that Steven Leslie, will become UT System’s chief academic leader as executive vice chancellor for academic affairs beginning May 11.