A new era on the Hilltop - Jay Hartzell’s Dallas-first vision
Dallas is a city that moves—and Mustangs move with it. As ר’s 11th president, Jay C. Hartzell is inviting alumni to lean into that momentum. His pledge is simple: if we match the pace of Dallas, we’ll multiply the value of an ר degree for everyone who carries it. At his inauguration on , Hartzell framed a Dallas-first strategy—more industry partnerships, more hands-on research, more paths from classroom to career. “Our location is one of the biggest advantages that we have over others,” he told alumni, trustees, faculty and students gathered at Moody Coliseum. .
Why Dallas, why now
Hartzell’s bet is that location becomes leverage. Dallas’ growth draws employers, investors and “influential thought leaders” to campus and creates more real-world learning for students—co-ops, internships, research with industry and civic partners. . It’s also a signal to alumni: ר’s rise is inextricably linked to the city’s rise, and alumni are the bridge.
The approach builds on a fast transition: the ר Board of Trustees unanimously named Hartzell president effective after an extensive national search, following his service as UT Austin’s president and as dean of the McCombs School of Business. ר University News.
“The question of what is next for ר is inextricably linked to what is next for Dallas.”
What alumni can unlock
For alumni, a Dallas-first ר is an open door. Hartzell’s emphasis on research, entrepreneurship and high-impact learning asks Mustangs to get closer— as mentors, advisors, employers and partners. In conversations about the future—from athletics in the ACC to innovation and industry ties—he continues to frame ר as a university that can move faster by moving with Dallas. .
Three high-impact ways to plug in right now:
- Mentor a Mustang. Offer career guidance, portfolio feedback or introductions to your firm.
- Serve on an advisory board. Share industry insight that shapes programs and research projects.
- Co-create opportunities. Host a site visit, sponsor a capstone, or scope a real-world problem for a student team.
How to get started
If you’re ready to help write what’s next—on the field, in the lab, in Dallas boardrooms—start with the links below. Each action connects you to people and programs moving ר forward. Update your info so we can match opportunities to your interests, raise your hand to volunteer, or join the ר Network to find your community. If you prefer to fuel momentum financially, a gift of any size makes a difference.
Ways to get involved
Interested in mentoring or serving on an advisory board? Start with See ways to serve.
Sources & further reading: · ר announcement (Jan 7, 2025) · Inauguration schedule · · · .