University of Texas System Regents' Chairman Kevin P. Eltife announced today that John Zerwas, MD, will become the System’s acting chancellor, effective June 1.  The announcement was made after UT System Chancellor JB Milliken was named president of the University of California, effective August 1, 2025.   Milliken will remain chancellor until May 30 and segue to the role of special advisor to support Zerwas during the transition process through June.

Zerwas currently serves as executive vice chancellor for health affairs at the UT System, where he provides administrative leadership and guidance to UT’s health institutions, and academic institutions with medical schools and health-related programs.  

“As a top UT System executive, Dr. Zerwas has worked with regents over the five past years on initiatives that not only are strengthening the capabilities of the system’s vast health enterprise but also implementing new partnerships between UT’s academic universities and health institutions to broaden educational, research, clinical, and operational opportunities across the entire board,” said Eltife. “We continue to have the benefit of Dr. Zerwas’ long and distinguished service in the Texas Legislature as a higher education advocate and budget expert.  It has served our UT institutions well,” he added. 

Dr. Zerwas served seven legislative terms in the Texas House of Representatives, including as chair of the Higher Education Committee and chair of the Appropriations Committee.

Eltife also lauded Milliken’s tenure as the system’s chief executive. “We are fortunate to have had Chancellor Milliken at the helm of the UT System for almost seven years.  The board and I are grateful for our close and very productive relationship with him, and we are proud of what we accomplished together.  He has led the UT System admirably and innovatively,” said Eltife.