The University of Texas System Board of Regents has unanimously selected Prabhas V. Moghe as the sole finalist for the presidency of The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). Moghe currently holds the position of executive vice president for academic affairs (EVPAA) at Rutgers University, the premier public institution in New Jersey.
Kevin P. Eltife, Chairman of the UT System Board of Regents, praised the quality of applicants considered for the role and expressed confidence in Moghe’s leadership abilities. “The regents and I were very pleased with the extraordinary pool of candidates from top universities across the nation who expressed interest in coming to Texas to lead UT Dallas. Dr. Moghe has a distinguished background as an educator, researcher and administrator. We’re delighted he will guide UT Dallas as it continues its great trajectory,” Eltife said. He also acknowledged the contributions of the search advisory committee and the chancellor in the selection process, adding, “We thank the search advisory committee and chancellor for the recommendations they brought forward.”
Moghe’s current responsibilities at Rutgers encompass strategic oversight of all academic and research functions across four chancellor-led campuses and 29 academic departments. Since stepping into the EVPAA role in 2020, he has played a key role in significantly boosting the university’s research profile. Research funding increased by 40%, growing from $689 million to nearly $1 billion under his leadership. This progress coincided with a leap in Rutgers’ national ranking, with the university climbing 22 places to reach 15th among public universities, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report.
During his tenure, Moghe has initiated and led various long-term strategies focused on interdisciplinary collaboration and academic advancement. One of his primary efforts has been the launch of Roadmaps for Collective Academic Excellence, a university-wide convergence strategy that integrates cross-disciplinary efforts in emerging areas like artificial intelligence, health, public policy, and business. He also represents Rutgers in the Association of American Universities and holds a senior role on the Big Ten Academic Alliance Board of Directors, where he serves as one of the Chief Academic Officers.
Before becoming EVPAA, Moghe served as the provost and executive vice chancellor for research and academic affairs at Rutgers–New Brunswick. His academic journey began in India, where he earned his degree in chemical engineering from the University of Bombay. He went on to complete a PhD in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Bioengineering from the University of Minnesota. Further enhancing his academic credentials, Moghe pursued postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital before joining Rutgers University as a faculty member in 1995.
Moghe was recommended to the Board of Regents by a presidential search advisory committee. This committee, led by UT System Chancellor JB Milliken, was composed of UTD faculty, staff, students, alumni, community representatives, UT presidents, and regents. The diverse makeup of the panel ensured a broad range of input in evaluating candidates for the university’s top post.
Chancellor Milliken voiced strong support for Moghe’s candidacy, noting his alignment with UTD’s academic vision and momentum. “Dr. Moghe’s record of strengthening educational pathways and propelling research agendas forward reflect many of UT Dallas’s strengths and continued aspirations. He has a deep appreciation for UTD’s mission and extraordinary ascendancy among top universities,” Milliken said.
Should the Board of Regents finalize his appointment after the mandatory 21-day waiting period required by Texas law for sole finalists, Moghe would become the next president of UT Dallas. He would follow current president Richard Benson, who announced in August that he plans to return to a faculty position at UTD following the 2024-2025 academic year. Benson has served as president for nine years, a period marked by dramatic growth and transformation for the university.
During Benson’s leadership, UTD saw a substantial increase in research investment, with total research expenditures rising from $98.6 million to $180.2 million. The campus also expanded significantly, adding over 2 million square feet of new construction. Student enrollment surged as well, surpassing 30,000 in 2023—a remarkable 57% increase over the past ten years.
The University of Texas System, which oversees UT Dallas, stands as the largest higher education system in Texas and among the biggest in the country. With 14 member institutions and more than 256,000 students, the UT System awarded over 66,000 degrees last year. Impressively, it granted more than one-third of all undergraduate degrees in the state and played a critical role in educating Texas’ healthcare workforce. UT System schools are responsible for educating over half of the state’s healthcare professionals and issuing 63% of Texas’s medical degrees annually.
Beyond education, the UT System contributes substantially to healthcare delivery and research. UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics reported nearly 10.8 million outpatient visits and more than 2.1 million hospital days in the most recent reporting year. The UT System’s research enterprise, valued at $4.3 billion, is widely regarded as one of the most innovative in the country. It ranks first in Texas and second in the United States for both total research and federal research expenditures.
The scale and impact of the UT System extend further with a proposed operating budget of $30.9 billion for fiscal year 2025. Collectively, the system’s institutions employ over 160,000 people, including faculty members, healthcare providers, support staff, and students. These figures underscore the vital role the UT System plays in both education and public service across Texas and beyond.
If confirmed, Prabhas V. Moghe would bring his extensive academic, research, and leadership experience to UT Dallas at a time of continued growth and rising prestige. His appointment is expected to reinforce the university’s strategic goals and further elevate its standing on the national stage.
