In recent years university presidents have been facing growing political pressures, student and faculty pushback and an increasingly demanding job.

Hartzell leaves UT-Austin after four years of tense political battles and legislative efforts to implement a more conservative vision of public higher ed.

Hartzell has served as UT's president since 2020. Before then, he was the dean of the McCombs School of Business. SMU's Board of Trustees unanimously named Hartzell president, the school announced Tuesday morning.

Under Hartzell's leadership, UT Austin joined the Southeastern Conference and achieved new highs when it comes to applications, enrollment and graduation rates. His time as president was also marked by challenges and controversy as he led the university through a state-mandated ban on diversity,