OU professor, Stitt education secretary to become University of Texas dean

July 1, 2026 - 00:40

OKLAHOMA CITY - A key figure in Oklahoma's education leadership is leaving the state for a top academic role in Texas. The governor's education secretary, who also holds a professorship at the University of Oklahoma, has been selected as the next dean at the University of Texas at Austin.

The move marks a significant shift for the official, who has served as a close adviser to Governor Kevin Stitt on education policy. During their tenure, they helped shape the state's approach to school funding, curriculum standards, and higher education coordination. Their work at OU also involved teaching and research in the field of education.

Now, they will lead a college at UT Austin, one of the nation's largest and most prominent public universities. The new role places them at the center of academic leadership in a state that has increasingly competed with Oklahoma for top talent and resources.

The departure is a notable loss for the Stitt administration, which has prioritized education reform. It also highlights the ongoing cross-state movement of high-level educators between Oklahoma and Texas. The official is expected to begin their duties at UT Austin later this year, pending final approvals. No successor for the state position has been announced.