Texas Senator Brandon Creighton selected as the final contender for the position of Chancellor at Texas Tech University

New Chancellor for Texas Tech University System and Changes in Education Policies

After a series of significant changes in Texas education policies, Kenny Creighton is set to become the new chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. This announcement comes 21 days after Brandon Creighton was named the sole finalist for the position.

Current Texas Tech chancellor, Tedd Mitchell, announced his retirement on July 11. However, he will remain in the role for 21 days after the employment decision to ensure a "thoughtful and effective" transition. Mitchell will also continue to serve as a consultant to the university system.

Senate Bill 37, one of the recent education policies, empowers each university system's board of regents to create committees that review courses under their jurisdiction. These committees have the ability to reject a course that is seen as ideologically charged or not aligning with workforce demands.

Under Senate Bill 37, a state-level committee is also established to recommend courses required for graduation. This bill, along with Senate Bill 12, places restrictions on the consideration of certain factors in hiring decisions and training initiatives within school districts.

Senate Bill 12 bans school districts from considering race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation when making hiring decisions. It also prohibits training initiatives on these topics unless required by federal law. Under this law, school districts must adopt a policy to discipline employees that knowingly take part in DEI activities.

These changes in education policies are part of a broader shift in Texas' educational landscape, and it will be interesting to see how they will impact the future of Texas Tech University System and other educational institutions in the state.