TYLER, Texas — The University of Texas System Board of Regents on Monday named Dr. Julie V. Philley as the finalist to potentially succeed retiring UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun.
The announcement was made during a special called UT System Board of Regents meeting. Chairman Kevin P. Eltife announced a unanimous vote to name Philley, who is currently executive vice president for health affairs and vice provost at UT Tyler, as the finalist.
Calhoun announced in February he would retire on May 31. He has led UT Tyler since the university merged with UT Health Science Center at Tyler in 2021. He was president of UTHSCT since 2002, making him the longest-serving active president in the UT System, a university statement read.
Normally, looking for a UT System school presidential candidate requires a national search. However, a rule allows the regents to name a finalist from within the UT System if the chairman creates an advisory committee to evaluate the candidate.
Eltife plans to name the committee soon, according to the news release.
Philley is from Overton and came back to East Texas in 2012 as an assistant professor of medicine at UT Health Tyler, where she continued research efforts in nontuberculous mycobacterial disease and bronchiectasis.
“Julie Philley is a native East Texan who continues to excel as an administrator, practicing physician and researcher since her arrival to campus in 2012,” Eltife said. “Dr. Philley is deeply engaged with and highly regarded in the Tyler and East Texas medical, education, and civic communities for making transformative advancements at UTT, and I believe her trusted leadership would allow UTT to accelerate its work seamlessly. The regents and I will look forward to hearing the committee’s evaluation of Dr. Philley’s candidacy."
Philley has been instrumental in launching the UT Tyler School of Medicine, which is the UT System’s seventh medical school. She is also a physician who is board certified in pulmonary and critical care medicine.
“I am honored to be considered by the regents for this incredible opportunity, and I am committed to serving UT Tyler in any way possible to advance its important work,” Philley said.