I hope you and your families are staying healthy and safe during these unprecedented times.  All of us appreciate the extraordinary work you’re doing to support our students and communities.

I am writing today to inform you that I have appointed Dr. Teik Lim as president, ad interim at The University of Texas at Arlington, effective immediately.  Dr. Lim agreed to step in as administrator in charge upon the resignation of former president Karbhari, and I have been impressed by his leadership.  He is an accomplished and experienced academic administrator, and I believe the university will benefit from his leadership as interim president at this time.

We have temporarily paused our plans to launch a search for the next president because of the demands of dealing with the pandemic and its effects.  At this time, everyone at the UT System and across the country is focused on operating under very challenging circumstances and in making plans for the summer and fall semesters.  We believe the opportunities for UTA and its next president are extremely attractive, and we want to be sure we receive the attention and participation of the best candidates from around the country.  We will communicate with you in the weeks ahead about plans for launching this critical search.

Please join me in congratulating President ad interim Lim.  I know you will work with him and his leadership team to ensure that The University of Texas at Arlington continues its outstanding work during this challenging time and emerges more robust than ever.  UTA has a great future ahead of it.

Sincerely,