December 13, 2023, AUSTIN, Texas – Dr. Fred Farias, chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board), was the recipient of the first-ever Visionary Leader in Higher Education Award, presented by the University of North Texas (UNT).
“It is an incredible honor to receive this award from the University of North Texas,” said Farias. “I am humbled to be part of this innovative team at the Coordinating Board, serving as a partner to Texas’ great institutions of higher education like the University of North Texas.”
The University of North Texas System Board of Regents created its Visionary Leader in Higher Education Award to formally recognize an individual or entity that has advanced the mission of higher education and inspired the UNT System to think bigger and do more for Texas higher education.
Each year, the UNT Board will honor an individual or entity whose work helps the UNT System and its institutions soar to a new level. Farias was chosen as the first recipient for his guidance during a time of innovative change for higher education in Texas.
In her remarks at the November 2023 UNT Board of Regents meeting, Chair Laura Wright noted the contributions of Farias in the creation of the Building a Talent Strong Texas strategic plan for higher education, his stewardship in overseeing the distribution of federal GEER funding to support innovative higher education programs and initiatives, and the success of major higher education legislative reforms, as well as the important policy and procedural updates instituted within the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to support Texas institutions.
“I was thrilled that our board was able to honor Dr. Farias with our inaugural University of North Texas System Visionary Leader in Texas Higher Education award. The strides made under his leadership at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board play an important role in shaping our work, advancing outcomes, and helping us soar to a new level,” said Wright.
Farias has served on the board of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board since 2015 and was appointed chair of the board by Governor Greg Abbott on June 3, 2021. He was previously vice chair of the board and chair of the Academic and Workforce Success Committee. He is also a member of the Texas Higher Education Foundation.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) was created by the Texas Legislature in 1965 and serves as a resource, partner, and advocate for Texas higher education, resulting in a globally competitive workforce that positions Texas as an international leader.
###