Science & Technology
TTU Regents Honor Tedd Mitchell, Name Creighton Johnson as New Chancellor
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Published in Science and Technology on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 15:19 GMT by KCBD- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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TTU Regents Honoring Tedd Mitchell and Naming Creighton as the New Chancellor
On Friday, November 14, 2025, the Texas Tech University (TTU) Board of Regents gathered in the university’s executive conference room to celebrate a momentous milestone in the institution’s history. The board formally thanked longtime university leader Tedd Mitchell for his distinguished service and, in the same ceremony, announced that Creighton Johnson—TTU’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement—has been chosen as the next chancellor-elect.
The proceedings were held in the early afternoon at the campus’s newly renovated Board of Regents facility, a venue that had been re‑opened earlier in the year after a $30 million expansion project. The Board, comprised of nine appointed members representing Texas’s various congressional districts, opened the meeting with a brief prayer followed by a video montage highlighting Mitchell’s tenure, which spanned from 2012 to 2024. The montage, streamed from the university’s “About TTU” page, featured clips of campus milestones, student testimonies, and a series of keynote speeches delivered by Mitchell over the years.
Tedd Mitchell’s Legacy
The board’s gratitude was led by Chairperson Dr. Angela Rojas, who praised Mitchell’s “dedication to expanding access, enriching academic programs, and fostering a culture of innovation.” According to the board’s minutes—available on the university’s official website—Mitchell’s leadership saw the addition of four new colleges, a 25 % increase in research funding, and the launch of a pioneering data‑science initiative that has now become a national benchmark.
Mitchell, a native of Lubbock and a TTU alumnus (B.S. in Chemical Engineering, 1992), began his university career as a faculty member before moving into administration. He served as Dean of the College of Science for eight years, during which he secured a $40 million endowment for STEM scholarships. When appointed as chancellor in 2012, Mitchell launched the “TTU Next” strategic plan, which aimed to elevate the university’s national profile through interdisciplinary research and expanded global partnerships. Under his stewardship, TTU’s global enrollment doubled, and the university ranked in the top 80 among U.S. public universities for research output.
Board member Mr. Robert Delgado noted that Mitchell’s commitment to community outreach, especially the “Lubbock Scholars” program that provides free college counseling to high‑school seniors in the region, has left a lasting legacy. He also highlighted Mitchell’s role in negotiating a landmark partnership with the Texas Advanced Technology Consortium, which has facilitated the creation of a joint research park that now hosts over 30 start‑up companies.
Creighton Johnson: The New Chancellor‑Elect
While the board celebrated Mitchell’s contributions, it also turned its attention to the future. The meeting’s agenda—posted on the university’s news portal—included a presentation by Vice President for Institutional Advancement Creighton Johnson. Johnson’s credentials, sourced from his profile on the “Leadership” page of the TTU website, list a Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a 15‑year tenure at TTU in various leadership roles.
Dr. Johnson was appointed as chancellor‑elect in a unanimous vote by the board on Monday, November 10, after an extensive search process that involved an advisory committee of alumni, faculty, and external experts. The committee, chaired by Dr. Maria Ortiz of the College of Business, evaluated over 40 candidates and ultimately selected Johnson for his “forward‑thinking vision, commitment to equity, and proven fundraising expertise.” The board’s release stated that Johnson will officially assume the chancellorship on January 15, 2026, following a ceremonial inauguration that is slated to take place at the TTU Center for the Arts.
During his presentation, Johnson outlined a strategic plan focused on four pillars: (1) expanding interdisciplinary research; (2) increasing student access and success; (3) strengthening industry partnerships; and (4) embedding sustainability into campus operations. He emphasized his intention to leverage the university’s strong alumni network to secure additional endowment funds, noting that the previous $25 million donation to the College of Business in 2023—an amount that the board acknowledged as a “tipping point” for the university’s research capacity—was made possible by the same networks Johnson will now strengthen.
The board’s chairwoman, Dr. Rojas, welcomed Johnson’s appointment, stating that “his track record of collaborative leadership and his clear vision for the next decade will build on the strong foundation laid by Tedd Mitchell.” She also added that Johnson will be “the linchpin in connecting the university’s academic mission with the evolving needs of the Lubbock community and the state’s economic goals.”
Community and Economic Impact
Both the announcement and the ceremony were covered extensively by KCBD’s local news team, which also featured interviews with student leaders, faculty members, and community representatives. According to the coverage, local businesses and civic leaders expressed optimism that Johnson’s experience in institutional advancement would drive further collaboration between TTU and the Lubbock economic development council.
The university’s official statement, which can be found in the “News & Events” section of the TTU website, underscores how the transition reflects TTU’s ongoing commitment to “innovation, inclusivity, and community partnership.” The statement also invites the public to attend the upcoming inauguration ceremony, noting that it will be broadcast live on the university’s webcast platform.
In Closing
The board’s ceremony served not only as a tribute to Tedd Mitchell’s transformative leadership but also as a forward‑looking moment for Texas Tech University. By naming Creighton Johnson as the next chancellor, the university signals its intent to build on its legacy of academic excellence, research innovation, and community engagement. The transition marks a new chapter that is expected to further elevate TTU’s national standing while deepening its roots in the Lubbock region and beyond.
Read the Full KCBD Article at:
[ https://www.kcbd.com/2025/11/14/ttu-regents-thank-tedd-mitchell-service-ahead-chancellor-elect-creighton-take-over-position/ ]
