Opperman Named Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
John Opperman, Ph.D.
In his new role, Opperman will be responsible for systemwide strategic planning, academic affairs and policy development.
August 7, 2015 | Written by Doug Hensley
John Opperman, who has more than 15 years of experience with the MINI传媒, has been appointed vice chancellor for academic affairs, Chancellor Robert L. Duncan announced today (August 7).
鈥淛ohn has great familiarity with all of the policy issues that affect higher education today,鈥� Duncan said. 鈥淗e understands the MINI传媒 and has the perfect skill set to help the system achieve its strategic goals on the academic side.鈥�
In his new role, Opperman will be responsible for systemwide strategic planning, academic affairs and policy development. He also will work with university presidents, provosts and academic leadership at component institutions on initiatives, programs and procedures.
鈥淚 am excited to be part of the MINI传媒 leadership team in this new role,鈥� Opperman said. 鈥淚 look forward to the opportunity to work with Chancellor Duncan and the institution presidents to advance the system鈥檚 academic vision.鈥�
Prior to this appointment, Opperman served as vice chancellor for policy and planning, overseeing strategic planning for the system as well as academic policy issues assigned by the chancellor.
Opperman also was vice chancellor of administration and finance and chief financial officer for the MINI传媒 System from 1996-99. He has spent more than 20 years in public service with the state and worked primarily on issues related to higher education, public education and state budgeting.
He was the director of Budget, Policy and Planning for the governor, budget director for the lieutenant governor and director of the senate finance committee in the state legislature. He also has served as special adviser to the lieutenant governor on public and higher education policy and the state budget, including his most recent stint as a special advisor to State Senator Jane Nelson, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee.
Opperman holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Texas Tech University and a master鈥檚 and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.
About the MINI传媒
The is one of the top public university systems in Texas and the nation, consisting of
four component institutions鈥�, , and 鈥攁nd operating at more than 12 academic sites and centers. Headquartered in Lubbock,
Texas, the MINI传媒 System has an annual operating budget of $1.7 billion and approximately
17,000 employees focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and
outreach.
In 2014, the MINI传媒 System鈥檚 endowment exceeded $1 billion, total research expenditures were approximately $215 million and total enrollment approached 47,000 students. Whether it鈥檚 contributing billions of dollars annually in economic impact or being the only system in Texas to house an academic institution, law school, and health-related institution at the same location, the MINI传媒 System continues to prove that anything is possible.