In first full day leading UT-Austin, Jim Davis replaces chief academic officer
Davis, who was named interim president one day earlier, replaced a provost who was named to the position by the university’s previous leader last month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2beb2871b308c967611ba107979cc100/UT%20File%20JM%20TT%2002.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Kate_McGee_TT_04.jpg)
Kate McGee is an Austin-based enterprise and investigative reporter. She joined the Tribune in October 2020 as a higher education reporter. She was a three-time finalist for the Education Writers Association's Beat Reporter of the Year award, winning the title in 2024. She was also a Livingston Award finalist for her coverage of the University of Texas at Austin. Before the Tribune, she spent nearly a decade as a reporter at public radio stations nationwide, including in Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Austin; Reno, Nevada; and New York. Kate was born in New York City and primarily raised in New Jersey. She earned her bachelor's degree from Fordham University.
Latest Contributions
-
![Students walk through the University of Texas at Austin on Nov. 29, 2021.]()
Credit: Jack Myer for The Texas Tribune -
UT System names Jim Davis as UT-Austin’s interim president
The decision to name Davis, UT-Austin's chief operating officer since 2023, ends President Jay Hartzell’s tenure months earlier than anticipated. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f25e33c45207c60f6ec5a62953a9be7/James%20Davis%20TT%2001.jpg)
![James E. Davis was named senior vice president and chief operating officer at the University of Texas at Austin in September 2023]()
Credit: University of Texas at Austin website -
How a multi-year legal battle by allies of a billionaire megadonor set off this year’s explosive House Speaker race
A pair of lawsuits filed by allies of West Texas megadonor Tim Dunn shut down laws that banned outside spending in the House leadership race, allowing for more political mudslinging and raising questions about ethics rules. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4616b89475b47487dc80be85117eb28a/0114%2089th%20Opening%20Day%20EG%20TT%2074.jpg)
![State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, addresses the House after being sworn in as House Speaker, on the first day of the 89th Texas Legislative Session at the capitol in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Ethics Commission dismisses complaint against state GOP chair, lawmaker says
Rep. Cody Harris had accused Abraham George of improperly threatening to send mailers and censure lawmakers who backed Rep. Dustin Burrows as House speaker. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/396de0997e32b9908721201d14d59d87/011425%20Speaker%20Vote%20EH%2009%20TT.jpg)
![Texas GOP Chair Abraham George holds a press conference on the states of the state capitolfollowing the vote for the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives on the first day of the 2025 Texas Legislative Session in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
UT-Austin President Jay Hartzell will leave to lead SMU
Hartzell leaves UT-Austin after four years of tense political battles and legislative efforts to implement a more conservative vision of public higher ed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5a3cf938e8dcbdb385730bf87a311d7a/UT%20TIE%20Presser%20LW%20TT%2009.jpg)
![The University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell, middle, on April 18, 2022.]()
Credit: Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribune -
SMU’s bid to split from United Methodist Church over LGBTQ+ rights heads to Texas Supreme Court
Southern Methodist University in Dallas tried to declare its independence after the church voted to ban gay weddings and clergy in 2019. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/462bba8a65ca277bc2bf6e1871ece62f/SMU%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![A sign at one of the entrances to the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas on Dec. 20, 2022.]()
Credit: Image of Sport/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
Texas professors self-censor for fear of retaliation, survey found
At least a third of respondents at UT-Austin, UT-Dallas and Texas A&M said they’re not sure administrators at their universities protect free speech on campus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e81396c0c9130027c18da1f954d2040f/0424%20UT%20Protests%20JS%20100.jpeg)
![Cristian, a student protester, is dragged out from the crowd and arrested by law enforcement during a demonstration in support of Palestine at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professors’ influence. Here's how faculty shape their universities.
Faculty senates have long played a key role in developing curriculum and protecting open inquiry. State leaders have also accused them of liberal indoctrination. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/21dcdca01f49dbd05a8d7ef5b1659f7a/TAMU%20Campus%20SK%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The Texas A&M University campus.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/The Texas Tribune -
A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strapped
Regional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov. Greg Abbott’s desire to pause increases could create tight financial conditions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/addbe9aec6c60faf63550de565f2521a/UT%20Arlington%20Covid%20ST%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Students walk through campus on the first day of classes at the University of Texas at Arlington on Aug. 27, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leaders
Staff relations continue to be important for Mark Welsh III as he rebuilds trust after a hiring controversy and universities brace for legislation targeting faculty senates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f0bb3f450e9c174d0e5f5894bd3d3023/0802%20TAMU%20Welsh%20Eagle%20MS%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Retired General Mark A. Welsh III, interim president of Texas A&M University, speaks at a press conference in the Flag Room of the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus in College Station, on Aug. 2, 2023.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Meredith Seaver/The Eagle