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 Texas Tech University System, has been appointed vice chancellor for academic affairs, Chancellor Robert L. Duncan announced today (August 7).
“John has great familiarity with all of the policy issues that affect higher education today,” Duncan said. “He understands the Texas Tech University System and has the perfect skill set to help the system achieve its strategic goals on the academic side.”
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.
“I am excited to be part of the Texas Tech University System leadership team in this new role,” Opperman said. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with Chancellor Duncan and the institution presidents to advance the system’s academic vision.”
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 TTU 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’s degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.
About the Texas Tech University System
The Texas Tech University System is one of the top public university systems in Texas and the nation, consisting of
four component institutions—Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso—and operating at more than 12 academic sites and centers. Headquartered in Lubbock,
Texas, the TTU 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 TTU System’s endowment exceeded $1 billion, total research expenditures were approximately $215 million and total enrollment approached 47,000 students. Whether it’s 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 TTU System continues to prove that anything is possible.