Kent R. Hance
Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System
Kent Hance became the third chancellor of the Texas Tech University System on December 1, 2006.
As chancellor, Hance is the chief executive officer of all campuses and academic sites of Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso. His priorities include growing enrollment, increasing research, and technology commercialization. Recently, Hance completed a $1 billion capital campaign at the Texas Tech University System. The chancellor also works in Austin and Washington, D.C. to enhance funding for all institutions.
Before becoming chancellor, Hance was a partner in Hance Scarborough, an Austin law firm. His firm’s primary focus was on state and federal administrative law, regulatory law and legislative law. In addition, he advised clients in oil, gas and other energy-related matters.
Hance earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas Tech University in 1965 and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1968. He returned to Lubbock to practice law and teach business law at Texas Tech. In 1973, he was named an outstanding professor at Texas Tech.
Hance began a career in politics in 1974 when he won a seat in the Texas State Senate. While in the Senate, he was one of only four members who served jointly on the chamber’s two most powerful committees: Finance and State Affairs. Four years later, he won election to the 19th Congressional District. In 1981, Hance authored and won passage of President Reagan’s tax bill. While a member of Congress, Hance served on the Ways and Means Committee, the Agriculture Committee and the Science and Technology Committee. After Congress, Hance won election to the Texas Railroad Commission.
Hance is a native of Dimmitt, Texas. He and his wife, Susie Hance, also an attorney, have five children and seven grandchildren. [Extended Biography]