Solberg named associate vice chancellor at UT System

Please join us in congratulating Eric Solberg, MS, on his new role as associate vice chancellor for health affairs at The University of Texas System, effective Jan. 16.

For more than 15 years, Solberg has served as a champion of student success and academic growth at UTHealth Houston, most recently as senior vice president for academic and research affairs and accreditation liaison.

“Eric is a consummate connector who has helped tremendously in the growth of academic programs across all our schools,” said Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, MD, UTHealth Houston president and Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair. “We are grateful for his service to UTHealth Houston, and we look forward to continuing our work with him in his new role with UT System.”

As UT System’s associate vice chancellor for health affairs, Solberg will develop and provide strategic analysis to the executive vice chancellor for health affairs, presidents and executive leadership of the UT System health institutions, and executive officers on complex business, operational, management, regulatory, academic program and organization, student and faculty matters, legislative, and public policy issues. He also will lead, coordinate, and facilitate the review, development, and approval of major health institution initiatives, relationships, and transactions. That will include continued work with UTHealth Houston to launch clinical workforce training programs, new degree offerings, and new schools – including the proposed School of Behavioral Health Sciences.

Solberg has been a guiding force for public health advocacy, business development, academic expansion, research collaborations, and student success in the Texas Medical Center for more than 30 years, working at Baylor College of Medicine, a research institute, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and a pharmaceutical company before joining the UTHealth Houston family.

In 2007, he became associate dean and associate director of the MD/PhD program at MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Since 2011, he has served as a key member of UTHealth Houston’s leadership team in Academic and Research Affairs. His service has included advancing academic programs, student success, faculty affairs, international affairs, global health initiatives, interprofessional education, research administration, research systems and infrastructure, and population health initiatives, as well as accreditation and institutional effectiveness. He was instrumental in the university’s reaffirmation of accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in 2021, successfully completing this rigorous process during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As associate faculty at the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics and adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at McGovern Medical School, Solberg has collaborated on the university-wide ethics program and curriculum for first-year medical students.

“I have always worked in a way that champions others in accomplishing their goals,” Solberg said. “Representing the voices of UTHealth Houston – especially those of the students – has been among the most meaningful and gratifying opportunities. I’ve worn many hats here, and serving as faculty adviser to Student InterCouncil has been one of my favorite hats.”

Solberg’s last day with UTHealth Houston is Friday, Jan. 13. We thank him for his service to UTHealth Houston and to UT System.

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