Texas names new higher education chief

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The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board named Wynn Rosser as the state’s next commissioner of higher education at a special board meeting Thursday.

The appointment was announced after a unanimous vote of the board. The vote was taken without discussion.

Rosser did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a statement Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott celebrated the appointment.

“Dr. Wynn Rosser brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will help Texas continue to ensure students have access to quality, affordable education so they can succeed in high-demand, good-paying jobs,” he said. “Texas’ economy and future workforce depend on strong higher education institutions. With Dr. Rosser at the helm, we will further empower young Texans, bolster our highly skilled workforce, and take our state’s continued success to even greater heights.”

Rosser is the president and CEO of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, a family foundation focused on issues facing rural East Texas. He previously spent a decade running the Greater Texas Foundation. Before that, he worked at Texas A&M University in various teaching and administrative roles.

He holds an associate's degree from Kilgore College and bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University.

“Being selected to serve as Commissioner of Higher Education is an honor, and I look forward to working alongside higher education leaders to support and strengthen Texas higher education” Rosser said in a statement Friday. “Together, we will focus on ensuring that Texas students are prepared for a rapidly changing world, equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.”

Rosser succeeds Harrison Keller who became commissioner in 2019. Keller oversaw an overhaul of the state’s 60x30 plan, which set a goal that by 2030, 60% of Texans ages 25-34 should have a degree or credential. The plan, now called Building a Talent Strong Texas, expanded the goal to include Texans ages 25-64.

Keller also helped shepherd an overhaul of the state’s community college finance system through the Texas Legislature last year. He left the position in July to become president of the University of North Texas.

The higher ed commissioner serves as the chief executive officer of the Coordinating Board, the state agency with a $2.9 billion budget that oversees Texas’ financial aid programs and helps enact the state’s strategic vision for public higher education. The board, made up of 10 members who are appointed by the governor, helps the commissioner implement the state’s vision for higher education.

Sarah Keyton has served as interim higher education commissioner during the transition. She will remain at the Coordinating Board as deputy commissioner of administration.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.

Disclosure: Greater Texas Foundation, Texas A&M University, T.L.L. Temple Foundation and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.