Neal Weaver has been named as the sole finalist by the University of Texas System Board of Regents in order to lead Stephen F. Austin State University. Neal Weaver will be the Nacogdoches-based school’s first permanent president since it joined the UT System last year if it is confirmed.
Weaver has already served as president of Georgia Southwestern State University for seven years, which belongs to the University of Georgia System based in Americus, Georgia.
Weaver is an ideal appointment for serving Stephen F. Austin State University because of his ability to lead in a thriving academic environment and his commitment to innovation and strategic growth, as said by UT System Board Chair Kevin Eltife.
Weaver, in the past years, has contributed to the increased enrollment and retention rate at Georgia Southwestern State. However, under state law, the board has to wait for 21 days for the official appointment.
Weaver has also worked as an administrator at various universities across the country, including West Texas A&M University in Canyon and Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, before coming to Georgia.
Weaver was recommended for the appointment by a presidential advisory committee, which consists of university faculty, students, and community members, along with UT presidents and regents.
After replacing former President Scott Gordon, who left the university in 2022, the board also started to do things publicly about whether to join a university system. This school has faced many years of decline. After four university systems tried to join the East Texas school, regents decided to join the UT System due to the access to funding from the Permanent University Fund. State lawmakers passed a bill approving the move last year, and SFA officially joined the UT system in September.
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