Office of the President

President Smatresk Bio

President Neal Smatresk with his wife, Debbie Smatresk. Read her bio.

16th president of the University of North Texas, one of the nation's largest universities

President Neal J. Smatresk became UNT’s 16th president in February 2014, marking his second university presidency. As a leader with nearly 35 years of experience in higher education, President Smatresk steers universities to national prominence by providing a high-quality affordable education, expanding research and innovation, and building strong community partnerships.

President Smatresk is focused on helping UNT fulfill its mission to provide the best education in Texas and to transform students — particularly first-generation college students — into the leaders of tomorrow. Since being established in 1890, UNT has supported industry and the state by providing an educated workforce and contributing to the state’s economic vitality and intellectual capital.

About UNT

Located in one of the nation’s largest, fastest-growing metropolitan areas, UNT is home to nearly 38,000 students and more than 220 degree programs. Founded in 1890, the university is now one of the nation’s largest public research universities and generates an economic impact of $1.65 billion in Dallas-Fort Worth annually. UNT also is one of the state’s Top 5 universities for the number of degrees awarded annually, with more than 8,500 degrees awarded in 2015-16. As a university with a global reach, UNT serves 2,500 international students representing 130 countries. UNT’s global alumni network has 393,000 members. 

• UNT is ranked among the nation’s 115 top-tier research universities, according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education™.
• UNT is continually named as one of America’s 100 Best College Buys®, a ranking based on having a high-achieving freshman class and affordable tuition.
• The Princeton Review continually names UNT as a Best in the West college.
• Forbes continually lists UNT on its America’s Top College list
• UNT has 62 academic programs ranked among the nation’s Top 100, including 17 rankings in U.S. News & Report’s Top 100.

UNT’s distinguished faculty includes internationally recognized researchers, scholars and artists include:

• One member of the National Academy of Sciences
• One member of the National Academy of Engineering
• Two members of the National Academy of Inventors
• 13 NSF CAREER Award recipients
• 2016 Texas State Artist
• Grammy, Emmy and Pulitzer Prize winners and nominees

A Division I school, UNT raised its athletic profile when the Mean Green became the Heart of Dallas Bowl football champions during the team’s inaugural season in Conference USA in 2013-14. UNT Athletics has 16 NCAA Division I teams competing in Conference USA, including football, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. The Mean Green have earned 123 conference championships and four national championships.

Professional Background

Before joining UNT, President Smatresk led the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as president for five years and provost for two years. Under his direction, UNLV:

• Completed a $537 million fundraising campaign that included creating UNLV’s largest active scholarship program.
• Established an Academic Success Center to help students graduate on time.
• Opened Brookings Mountain West in partnership with the prestigious Brookings Institution.
• Gained approval for a medical school.

Prior to UNLV, President Smatresk was vice chancellor for academic affairs and deputy to the chancellor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa from 2004 to 2007. During his tenure, Manoa:

• Entered the ranks of the top 25 federally funded institutions.
• Gained three National Academy of Sciences members.
• Received recognition from the Chinese Ministry of Education as a Confucius Institute.

President Smatresk started his academic career at the University of Texas at Arlington and spent 22 years there, serving as:

• Dean of Science, 1998-2004
• Chair of the Department of Biology, 1994-1998
• Professor of Biology, 1982-2004

Research Background

A biologist and researcher by training, President Smatresk has devoted much of his career to supporting K-20 science outreach programs and STEM development.

As a biologist, he concentrated his research on gaining a better understanding of how the respiratory neurobiology of vertebrates changed in the evolutionary transition from water to air breathing. His research has garnered substantial grant support and has resulted in more than 50 papers and book chapters, and grants from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. President Smatresk also has received a number of teaching awards. His undergraduate alma mater, Gettysburg College, awarded him a Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award in 2011.

Academic Background

• B.A., Biology, Gettysburg College, 1973
• M.A., Biology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1978
• Ph.D., Zoology, University of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas Marine Laboratory, 1980
• Postdoctoral Trainee, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 1980-1982

Memberships

• North Texas Commission Board, 2014-present
• Dallas Regional Chamber, 2014-present
• Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, 2014-present
• Denton Chamber of Commerce, 2014-present
• Frisco Chamber of Commerce, 2015-present
• Denton Economic Development Partnership Board, 2014-present
• KERA Board of Directors, 2016-present

President Smatresk and his wife, Debbie, have been married since 1978. Read her bio.

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