A file photo of UT Arlington.
Elias Valverde II/Dallas Morning News
Archie Holmes, the UT System’s executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, was named UTA’s acting president Monday, weeks after the university’s previous leader announced she was stepping down.
In his current role, Holmes works closely with school leaders to manage the system’s nine academic institutions, including UTA, which is the second-largest. He will keep this job, while serving as acting president, said UT System Chancellor John Zerwas in a news release.
Related: UT Arlington President Jennifer Cowley to step down after four years
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At the end of August, Jennifer Cowley, the university’s first female president, left the post after spending more than four years in the role. Cowley, a professor of public affairs and planning, will stay at UTA as a faculty member.
Cowley will advise Holmes during the transition, Zerwas said. The two have worked “extensively” together before, he said.
As a UT System official, Holmes also advises presidents on enforcing the system’s “controversial topics” policy, which places restrictions on how professors can teach such material in the classroom. The policy doesn’t define what constitutes a “controversial topic.”
Holmes received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, according to the news release. He was a faculty member at UT Austin and at the University of Virginia. He also served as UVA’s vice provost for academic affairs.
As Holmes steps into his new role, Zerwas gave kudos to his predecessor. He credited Cowley for “transformative initiatives” in boosting research, opening buildings and developing a new campus.
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Related: What to know about UTA’s outgoing President Jennifer Cowley
Cowley’s strategic plan sought to boost research from $155 million to $300 million, hire 100 new faculty members and researchers and bring in 10,000 new students. UTA is also one of 16 Texas universities with a coveted R1 Carnegie designation, which is based on research spending and the number of research doctorates awarded annually.
Under Cowley’s leadership, new buildings and facilities were constructed, including Maverick Hall. She also oversaw plans to open UTA West, a new campus in Fort Worth, in fall 2028.
“UTA is very well positioned for its best days ahead,” Zerwas said.
Still, UTA saw drops in international enrollment and research funding under Cowley’s leadership. The school grappled with financial challenges, leading to program cuts, buyouts and hiring freezes.
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Related: UTA to cut, merge some academic programs to ‘maintain fiscal responsibility’
Holmes starts Tuesday. Zerwas and the board of regents will work to find the next president.
“We consider the selection of top UT presidents among our most important responsibilities,” Zerwas said.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
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The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.