麻豆天狼副利院 Regents Name Senator Brandon Creighton as Sole Finalist for Chancellor
A rancher, attorney and lifelong Texan, Creighton has served in the Texas Legislature as a state representative and senator for nearly two decades.
Sept. 4, 2025 | Contact: Kristina Butler
During a special-called meeting of the 麻豆天狼副利院 (TTU System) Board of Regents today (Sept. 4), Texas Senator Brandon Creighton was unanimously selected as the sole finalist for the chancellor and chief executive officer position.
鈥淭he 麻豆天狼副利院 has a proud history and limitless potential,鈥� said Creighton. 鈥淔rom research and innovation to nationally prominent academic programs, it represents the very best of Texas. I am honored to be named sole finalist for chancellor and look forward to building on this momentum and leading the TTU System into its next era of success.鈥�
An eighth-generation Texan from Conroe, Creighton began his legislative career in 2007, serving District 16 in the Texas House of Representatives. In 2014, Creighton was sworn into the Texas Senate representing District鈥�4, which includes parts of Montgomery, Harris, Chambers, Jefferson and Galveston counties. As chair of the Senate Committee on Education K-16, Creighton has championed significant reforms, promoted research investments like the Texas University Fund, and shaped policies that directly support students, faculty and communities across Texas. His vision for opportunity, innovation and economic growth strongly aligns with the TTU System鈥檚 mission.
鈥淭he 麻豆天狼副利院 is at a pivotal moment,鈥� said Cody Campbell, chairman of the TTU System Board of Regents. 鈥淲ith Senator Creighton as our next chancellor, I am confident we will continue to accelerate our progress, strengthen our communities, and expand our impact across the state and beyond.鈥�
Creighton earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin and his Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law. An attorney, real-estate developer and rancher in Texas and New Mexico, Creighton has long-standing ties to West Texas, rural communities and the many academic locations of the TTU System.
He has partnered with West Texas leaders on higher education, energy, agriculture and economic development priorities throughout his nearly 20 years in the Texas Legislature. His record reflects a strong understanding of the culture, history and challenges of rural Texas, and he has consistently advanced policies that support access to higher education, rural health care and workforce development in the region.
鈥淭he 麻豆天狼副利院 Board of Regents conducted a comprehensive search with numerous outstanding candidates,鈥� said Dustin R. Womble, vice chairman of the TTU System Board of Regents. 鈥淪enator Brandon Creighton stood out as the right person to guide the 麻豆天狼副利院 into its next era of success. We are confident he will provide strong, steady leadership during this transition and build on the System鈥檚 momentum for years to come.鈥�
State law requires that 21 days must pass before final action can be taken on employment. Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., will continue to serve during this period and remain in an advisory role to ensure a thoughtful and effective transition.
Mitchell announced his plans to retire on July 11, 2025, after 15 years with the TTU System. He began his tenure as president of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2010. Mitchell was named chancellor of the TTU System on Oct. 25, 2018, and held a dual appointment as chancellor and president from 2018 to 2019, until deciding to close his presidency after nearly a decade at the helm of 麻豆天狼副利院.
TEDD L. MITCHELL, M.D., CHANCELLOR OF THE TTU SYSTEM:
鈥淚n recent years, the 麻豆天狼副利院鈥檚 reputation as innovators and leaders among our peers in higher education, health care, research and community engagement has reached even greater heights. I am proud of all we have accomplished during my tenure and am confident in passing the baton to Senator Creighton. For nearly two decades, he has served the people of Texas, first as a state representative and most recently as a state senator. He has a tremendous track record of leadership and a demonstrated dedication to higher education as chair of the Senate Committee on Education K-16 and chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee. I look forward to how he will continue to elevate and strengthen the System as its new Chancellor, and through this role, continue serving the people of our great state.鈥�
, PRESIDENT OF TTU:
鈥淪enator Creighton has been a leading figure in education policy in Texas. His achievements and his reputation as a thoughtful and collaborative leader will be a great asset to the 麻豆天狼副利院 and Texas Tech University. I look forward to working with him to continue advancing opportunities for our students, supporting the growth of our research and building on the momentum of Texas Tech University.鈥�
, PRESIDENT OF 麻豆天狼副利院:
鈥�Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center can take great confidence in knowing the Board of Regents has selected a visionary leader for the TTU System who understands and appreciates our rural communities and is committed to higher education. Senator Creighton brings that perspective, along with expertise in public policy. I鈥檓 excited about the future of 麻豆天狼副利院 and the entire TTU System under his guidance.鈥�
, PRESIDENT OF ASU:
鈥淥n behalf of the students, faculty and staff at Angelo State University, I extend a Ram Fam congratulations to Senator Creighton on his selection as the sole finalist for the chancellor of the 麻豆天狼副利院. It has been nothing short of a phenomenal experience with Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., at the helm, and I am confident Senator Creighton will sustain the momentum and trajectory as we continue to further the mission, vision and values of Angelo State and the Texas Tech University System.鈥�
, PRESIDENT OF TEXAS TECH HEALTH EL PASO:
鈥淪enator Brandon Creighton is an outstanding choice to be the next leader of the Texas Tech University System. In his long-time role as a Texas legislator and chair of the Senate Committee on Education K-16, Senator Creighton has consistently shown his commitment to improving higher education throughout Texas. I believe he has a clear plan for the future of the TTU System and its role as a catalyst for greater opportunities, innovation and economic development.
鈥淪enator Creighton鈥檚 knowledge and experience will be invaluable as Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso grows to serve our Borderplex region. He has visited our campus and supports the work we do to improve the lives of people in our community and across the state. We鈥檙e confident his leadership and familiarity with our mission will build on the System鈥檚 strong foundation, advancing research and patient care in El Paso and far West Texas, supporting our dedicated faculty, and empowering our talented students. We look forward to working with him as we begin this exciting new chapter.鈥�
, PRESIDENT OF MSU TEXAS:
鈥�Four years ago, under Chancellor Mitchell鈥檚 vision and leadership, Midwestern State University became the fifth member institution of the 麻豆天狼副利院. We are tremendously grateful for his thoughtful, dedicated leadership not only for MSU Texas but also for the entire System. We are excited to partner with Senator Creighton as we support his vision and maintain the momentum of the 麻豆天狼副利院 and its strengths across the state. Senator Creighton鈥檚 leadership, both broadly and specifically in higher education, will yield dividends to our university. We look forward to welcoming him to our campus and sharing the incredible Mustang spirit that is MSU Texas.鈥�
About the 麻豆天狼副利院
Established in 1996, the 麻豆天狼副利院 is one of the top public university systems in the nation, consisting of five universities 鈥� , , , and .
Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the TTU System is a more than $3 billion enterprise focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach with approximately 21,000 employees and 64,000 students, more than 400,000 alums, a statewide economic impact of $19.2 billion and an endowment valued at $3 billion. In its short history, the TTU System has grown tremendously and is nationally acclaimed, operating at 20 academic locations in 16 cities (15 in Texas, one international).
In addition, the TTU System is one of only nine in the nation to offer programs for undergraduate, medical, law, nursing, pharmacy, dental and veterinary education, among other academic areas.