Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the fiscal 2020 funding request and budget justification for the Department of the Air Force in Washington, D.C., on Mar. 13, 2019. Air Force photo by Adrian Cadiz.
The University of Texas System Board of Regents officially announced Tuesday Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson will become president of UT at El Paso effective Aug. 15.
“Regents approved the appointment at a special called meeting of the board today,” according to a school system statement. “Wilson was unanimously selected as the sole finalist for the position at a board meeting March 8. Under state law, university governing boards must name finalists for a presidency at least 21 days before making an appointment.”
Board Chairman Kevin Eltife noted that although some have raised concerns about Wilson’s fitness to lead a diverse school, including criticizing her voting record on LGBTQ issues while serving in Congress, “we also have considered Secretary Wilson’s professional experiences over decades, each of which demonstrated she has always focused on the well-being and advancement of the people and communities she has served.”
In a surprise announcement last month, Wilson said she plans to resign May 31.