DENTON, Texas — The University of North Texas has officially appointed its new leader.
On Monday, the UNT System Board of Regents announced Harrison Keller, a state higher education official, as the school's new president.
Keller will become the university's 17th president and succeed Neal Smatresk, who in February announced his plans to retire.
His first day on the job will be Aug. 1.
“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," Chancellor Michael R. Williams said.
Since 2019, Keller has been the commissioner and chief executive officer of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Under his leadership, he helped advance policy and programs that improved college readiness and student success — specifically for low-income and first-generation students. He also founded Texas OnCourse, which supports thousands of college and career advisors across the state.
“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,” Keller said.
Keller previously worked at the University of Texas at Austin, serving as Deputy to the President for Strategy and Policy. Earlier in his career, 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.
A native of the Texas Panhandle, Keller received his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and his master's and doctorate degrees from Georgetown. From 2005 to 2015, Keller 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.
“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," Keller said.
As UNT's president, Keller will oversee university administration and operations, set 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.
