NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The University of Texas System Board of Regents named the sole finalist for the Stephen F. Austin State University Thursday afternoon.
During a special meeting Thursday, Dr. Neal R. Weaver was approved as the lone finalist to become SFA's next president. He is currently president of Georgia Southwestern University in Americus, Georgia.
The board said they must wait least 21 days before voting to approve Weaver as president at a future meeting.
According to GSW's website, Weaver has been with Georgia Southwestern State University since July 2017. He has over 30 years of experience in higher education.
Once approved, he will become the 11th president in SFA’s 100-year history and first as a member of the UT System. Last September, SFA became the 14th University of Texas institution.
His tenure at GSW saw significant growth in enrollment, student retention and fundraising. GSW’s fall 2023 enrollment of 3,300 was historic high for the university, including an 18.5% increase in freshman enrollment and 16.8% increase in graduate enrollment.
“The Regents met with outstanding candidates, and Dr. Weaver’s ability to lead in a thriving academic environment, coupled with his commitment to innovation and strategic growth, make him an ideal appointment to serve Stephen F. Austin State University as it enters its new era as a UT institution,” UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife said. “We are grateful for the thorough work of SFA’s presidential search advisory committee and the UT System leadership whose guidance and recommendations helped us arrive at today’s final selection.”
In August, Eltife selected the search advisory committee members who are advised the regents about picking SFA's next president. UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken led the search committee, which had representation from the SFA faculty, students, alumni and community leaders, as well as UT presidents and regents.
“Dr. Weaver's accomplishments in fostering student success, driving enrollment growth, and spearheading successful fundraising efforts position him to guide Stephen F. Austin State University into new opportunities as a member of the University of Texas System,” Milliken said. “I am pleased with the regents’ unanimous support of his candidacy and appreciate the efforts of everyone that helped us navigate this historic search.”