University of Texas President Jay Hartzell will become SMU’s next president. SMU’s Board of Trustees approved Hartzell’s hire Tuesday and he will become SMU’s next president effective June 1, 2025. The announcement comes after SMU President R.

Jay Hartzell will lead a vastly different campus environment at Southern Methodist University after leaving the University of Texas presidency.

University of Texas Austin President Jay Hartzell is leaving his position to become the next president of Southern Methodist University. He begin that position on June 1.