Harrison Keller

Harrison Keller is Commissioner of Higher Education for the State of Texas and chief executive officer for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Dr. Keller is a sixth-generation Texan with nearly twenty-five years of experience in state budget and policy, university administration, fundraising, and building coalitions among higher education institutions, school districts, and policymakers. At the Coordinating Board, Dr. Keller has worked with higher education leaders, employers, and policymakers to develop and advance the state’s strategic plan for higher education, Building a Talent Strong Texas. Dr. Keller has worked with the Governor, legislators, and higher education leaders to accelerate innovation and increase support for financial aid, transfer, workforce education, and research and development. He is a recognized innovator in programs to improve college readiness and student success, especially for low-income and first-generation students. Dr. Keller has taught at Georgetown University, St. Edward’s University, and the University of Texas at Austin. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from Georgetown University. From 2005 to 2015, he served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve. He and his wife live in Austin with their three children.