The Council of Public University Presidents & Chancellors (CPUPC – pronounced “See Pup See”) is the statewide, nonpartisan membership organization that brings together all the presidents and chancellors of Texas’ public universities and university systems. CPUPC convenes leaders to share insights, compare approaches, and coordinate on issues that affect the sector. The Council also serves as a trusted, apolitical hub for timely summaries of activity at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and in the Legislature, and it hosts high-value programs in partnership with peer organizations across the Texas higher education landscape.
This is a CEO-caliber, one-person executive role at the epicenter of Texas higher education—designing can’t-miss CEO convenings, turning policy complexity into crisp, trusted guidance.
Why This Leadership Role Now
- Mandate to transform: CEOs voted to keep CPUPC and elevate its value—your charter is to reset relevance and rebuild prominence.
- Not lobbying: A neutral, CEO‑focused convening and insight engine—not Governmental Relations GR).
- From “was” to “will be”: Recasting CPUPC into the trusted hub leaders rely on for alignment, clarity, and speed.
CPUPC seeks a catalytic, trusted convener as its next Executive Director (ED). This executive role (no direct reports) blends external leadership and member engagement with light but essential association operations. The ED will elevate CPUPC’s relevance, rebuild a high-value meeting cadence, and re-energize participation—especially among chancellors—while continuing to provide crisp, actionable digests from THECB and other venues. The successful candidate will possess the poise and judgment to work comfortably with system heads and campus presidents, while being hands-on with the logistics and administration required in a lean organization.
Location: Austin, Texas area (hybrid/remote without a dedicated office; regular in-person presence in Austin is required).
Reports to: CPUPC Board Chair and Board Executive Committee
For a copy of the full prospectus, which includes how to apply, click here: CPUPCExecutive Director Search Prospectus