Global Perspectives with James B. Milliken

About James B. Milliken

Milliken, who has 30 years of experience in public higher education, became Chancellor of The University of Texas System in September 2018. He oversees one of the largest public university systems in the United States, with 14 health and academic institutions. These institutions enroll more than 235,000 students and employ more than 100,000 health care professionals, researchers, faculty and support staff.

Milliken previously served in top leadership positions at major university systems in three states. As chancellor of the City University of New York from 2014 to 2018, he championed programs for underserved and vulnerable students and significantly increased graduation rates at the 24-campus system. In 2004, Milliken became the first alumnus to serve as president of the University of Nebraska, spending a decade at the university. At the University of North Carolina, he served as senior vice president of the 16-campus system.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree from NU, Milliken earned a law degree from New York University. He began his career at a Wall Street law firm but left to become an administrator and professor at NU.

Milliken has received numerous honors, including the Fulbright Award for Global Education. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Business–Higher Education Forum and is founding chairman of the Daugherty Global Water for Food Institute.