AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas System Chancellor J.B. Milliken will be leaving his position to become the president of the University of California. 

What You Need To Know

  • Milliken will remain as chancellor until May 30, and then Dr. John Zerwas will become acting chancellor beginning on June 1

  • Milliken will stay on as a special advisor to Zerwas through June

  • Zerwas is currently the executive vice chancellor for health affairs at the UT System, and he was previously a Republican member of the Texas House

UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin P. Eltife announced the news on Friday saying Dr. John Zerwas would become acting chancellor beginning on June 1.

According to a news release, Milliken will remain chancellor until May 30 and then will be a “special advisor to support Zerwas during the transition process through June.”

Milliken will begin his new role in California on Aug. 1. 

Zerwas is currently the executive vice chancellor for health affairs at the UT System. Eltife said in a statement that Zerwas has worked with the Board of Regents over the past five years on different health-related initiatives and partnerships. 

Zerwas also previously served as a Republican representative in the Texas House for seven terms. 

Eltife also spoke highly of Milliken’s tenure leading the UT System, which started back in 2018.

“The board and I are grateful for our close and very productive relationship with him [Milliken], and we are proud of what we accomplished together,” Eltife said in a statement. “He has led the UT System admirably and innovatively.”

Milliken’s departure hasn’t been the only turnover among university leadership this year. 

In January, Jay Hartzell announced he would be stepping down as president of UT Austin to take the same position at Southern Methodist University. 

Soon after, Jim Davis was named interim president.