UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., was named to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
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By Rosanne Fohn

Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., chancellor of The University of Texas System and a faculty member of the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, recently received two major appointments.

Chancellor Cigarroa, who is affiliated with University Transplant Center, a partnership of the University Health System and the Health Science Center, was tapped by President Barack Obama to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. He also was elected earlier this spring to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

President’s Advisory Commission
The commission, made up of civic and education leaders from across the country, is charged with providing input and advice on the development, implementation and coordination of education policy and programs that impact the Hispanic community.

“I am honored President Obama has appointed me to serve on this important panel as it works to improve the quality of the educational experience for millions of American students,” Chancellor Cigarroa said. “The U.S. Hispanic population is rising quickly, and it is imperative that its students are sufficiently trained to keep America’s workforce vibrant. I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners as we address issues and craft policies that benefit education in America.”

American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Chancellor Cigarroa also is among 212 of the world’s most accomplished leaders from academia, business, public affairs, the humanities and the arts elected in April as members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The new academy members join one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies and a leading center for independent policy research. Members contribute to academy studies of science and technology policy, global security, social policy and American institutions, the humanities and education.

Before being named the 10th leader of the UT System in Jan. 9, 2009, Chancellor Cigarroa served as a full-time faculty member of the UT Health Science Center from 1995 through 2000, when he was named president of the university.