State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) has been named the sole finalist to become the next chancellor and chief executive officer of the Texas Tech University System (TTU), a role that would put him at the helm of one of Texas’s largest higher education systems.
“The Texas Tech University System has a proud history and limitless potential,” Creighton said in a statement. “From research and innovation to nationally prominent academic programs, it represents the very best of Texas. I am honored to be named sole finalist for chancellor and look forward to building on this momentum and leading the TTU System into its next era of success.”
Creighton, a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a law degree from Oklahoma City University, has built a lengthy career in state politics. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2006 before moving to the Senate in 2014. Over the past decade, he has chaired several high-profile committees and frequently taken the lead on major education legislation.
Among his most notable efforts is Senate Bill 37, which shifts curriculum oversight from faculty senates to boards of regents, giving the governing boards greater authority over degree programs. More recently, he was the Senate sponsor of Senate Bill 17, passed during the 88th Legislative Session, which banned diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices at public universities in Texas. Both measures have placed Creighton at the center of debates about the future direction of higher education in the state.
The Texas Tech University System serves more than 63,000 students across five institutions and 20 academic sites. As chancellor, Creighton would oversee all operations, including academic programs, research initiatives, fundraising, and coordination with the Board of Regents.
Cody Campbell, chairman of the TTU System Board of Regents, said the system is entering a defining chapter under Creighton’s leadership. “The Texas Tech University System is at a pivotal moment,” Campbell said in the official announcement. “With Senator Creighton as our next chancellor, I am confident we will continue to accelerate our progress, strengthen our communities, and expand our impact across the state and beyond.”
Outgoing Chancellor Tedd Mitchell, who has served since 2018, also voiced support for the decision. He praised Creighton’s legislative record on education and said he was “confident in passing the baton” to him.
Before Creighton’s selection, U.S. Congressman Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) was reportedly considered a leading candidate for the role. Arrington, who represents Lubbock and much of the surrounding area, announced last weekend that he was withdrawing from consideration and congratulated Creighton on being chosen as the finalist.
The designation of “sole finalist” is a required step in the hiring process for public universities in Texas. Under state law, boards of regents must name a finalist at least 21 days before formally approving the appointment. If confirmed later this month, Creighton would become the system’s fifth chancellor since its creation in 1996.
Creighton’s appointment signals both continuity and change for Texas Tech. With deep ties to state government and a track record of shaping higher education policy, his leadership is expected to influence not only the TTU System but also the broader landscape of Texas higher education in the years ahead.
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