The University of Texas at San Antonio today announced the appointment of Jenny Jones as Senior Vice President for Governmental Relations, a key leadership role that will advance the university’s priorities at the state and federal levels and strengthen its impact across Texas.
Jones brings a distinguished career in governmental relations, public policy, and higher education leadership and has been instrumental in supporting the Legislature’s efforts to strengthen the state’s universities and health science centers and state agencies. Most notably, she has served in key roles within the Texas A&M University System, where she built a reputation as a trusted advisor and effective advocate for complex, large-scale public university systems.
Her background spans both general academic and health-related enterprises, positioning her uniquely to support UT San Antonio’s integrated future as a comprehensive, research-intensive institution. In addition, Jones has worked closely with statewide medical and public health organizations, strengthening alignment between academic research, clinical outcomes, and state priorities.
Strategic leadership at a transformational moment
Jones joins UT San Antonio at a pivotal time, as the university continues to expand its research footprint, deepen partnerships, and elevate its role as a driver of economic mobility and innovation across Texas.
“Jenny is a proven leader with an exceptional ability to navigate the intersection of public policy, higher education, and academic health,” said Taylor Eighmy, president of UT San Antonio. “Her experience across complex, research-intensive environments will be instrumental as we expand our national leadership and elevate the role of higher education and academic health in driving meaningful impact for Texas and the nation.” Jones’s appointment represents a strategic investment in UT San Antonio’s ability to align policy, funding, and institutional priorities—a critical leverage point as the university continues to grow in scale, impact, and national prominence as an integrated institution.
Bridging academic excellence and health impact
Jones’s ability to operate across both academic and health domains will help UT San Antonio maximize opportunities at the intersection of research, workforce development, and public health innovation.
“Jenny brings a deep commitment to service, and a clear understanding of how our work serves the public good and ultimately improves lives,” said Francisco Cigarroa, senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system. “Her experience across higher education and health-related organizations reflects a focus on people, on expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and advancing our mission to serve. That perspective will be invaluable as UT San Antonio continues to grow its impact across Texas and the nation.”
Expanding opportunity through statewide leadership
In her role, Jones will lead UT San Antonio’s governmental relations strategy, building strong partnerships with policymakers, state agencies, and community leaders. She will play a central role in intelligence gathering and advancing strategic priorities at scale that include research growth and innovation, workforce development and talent pipelines, health and bioscience advancement, infrastructure and capital investment, and student access and success. Her leadership will help ensure The University of Texas at San Antonio continues to serve as a powerful engine for economic development and opportunity in Texas, aligning institutional goals with statewide priorities.
“I am honored to join UT San Antonio at such an exciting and transformational time,” said Jones. “This institution is making a profound impact in San Antonio, South Texas, and across the state by advancing higher education as a public good, expanding access and opportunity for our students, and serving as a driver of economic growth and workforce development for our communities. I look forward to working alongside university leadership, policymakers, and community partners to strengthen workforce pipelines, align our efforts with the needs of our communities and state, and advance research that delivers real-world impact for the people we serve.”
