Public U Leaders Spotlight: Taylor Eighmy

Your Name: Taylor Eighmy
Your Title: President
Your Institution: University of Texas at San Antonio
Year You Started Your Current Role: 2017

What’s the most exciting work your APLU Council or Commission is currently undertaking?
We are working on “North America 2.0,” a vision to bring together the higher education and business communities to trilaterally promote education, workforce, and discovery across Canada, Mexico and the U.S. to support the North American economy and innovation enterprise.

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing individuals in your role on campus?
We are merging with UT Health San Antonio to create a world-class university here in San Antonio. The challenge is not dreaming big enough. The opportunity is to dream big.

What are the most important and valuable partnerships on campus for individuals in your role?
My leadership team is the best ever!

Describe your university in three words.
Bold, creative, nimble.

What makes your university great?
Our people – students, staff and faculty.

What experience best prepared your current role?
Being a chief research officer at three different public research universities.

If you could go back and give yourself advice on the first day of your job, what would you say?
Mentoring people and nurturing leadership teams will be so essential.

What is your favorite way to spend your free time?
Family, friends, grandparenting, pups, fly fishing, and essential time on the mountain bike.

What is the best book you’ve read recently?
All books by Tom McGuane.

What was the last thing you cooked or baked?
Mushroom Wellington with Peggy.