Silveria Resigns as UA System President for Purdue
University of Arkansas System President Jay Silveria is leaving less than two years into the role to lead Purdue University.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
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Jay Silveria announced his resignation Thursday as president of the University of Arkansas System, less than two years after taking the post in January 2025. Purdue University's Board of Trustees confirmed him as its next president by unanimous vote, with his tenure there set to begin February 1.
Why it matters
Silveria's departure leaves two significant Arkansas higher-education initiatives unresolved: a September directive to review the competitiveness of the Razorback athletic department and a proposed merger that would bring National Park College into the UA System. The UA System board will now need to select a successor and name an interim president.
Purdue's selection process drew on a survey of 2,500 people and more than 100 candidates, while the UA System serves roughly 110,000 students and employees. It is not yet known who will succeed Silveria or how the pending merger and athletics review will be handled.
The players
Jay Silveria
Silveria is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who served a 35-year military career before leading Texas A&M University's system and then the University of Arkansas System.
Purdue University
Purdue is a public research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, known for its engineering and science programs.
Randy Lawson
Lawson chairs the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees and expects Silveria to depart after the new year.
Mitch Daniels
Daniels is a former Indiana governor who has served as Purdue's interim president since Mung Chiang's departure.
The details
Purdue's Board of Trustees confirmed Silveria in a special meeting Thursday afternoon, following the selection process. Purdue's previous president, Mung Chiang, left over the summer for Northwestern University, and Mitch Daniels has served as interim president since then.
Timeline
January 2025: Silveria became UA System president.
September 2025: The UA System board directed a review of Razorback Athletics.
November 5, 2026: Silveria announced his resignation and Purdue confirmed him.
February 1: Silveria is set to begin as Purdue president.
December 1-2: The UA System board meets at North Arkansas College in Harrison.
Leadership Churn
Silveria's appointment follows Mung Chiang's summer departure from Purdue for Northwestern, leaving the Indiana university with an interim president until now. The move underscores how quickly leadership posts at major public universities are changing hands.
Students and employees across the UA System face a leadership transition just as the National Park College merger and athletics review are pending. Families and staff should watch the board's December meeting for decisions that could affect campus operations.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at public university systems can reshape long-running priorities, from athletics to campus expansion. Readers following Arkansas higher education should track the December board meeting for the next concrete decisions.
What happens next
The UA System Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote on the National Park College merger in December, and it will select a successor and name an interim president once Silveria departs.
Further reading
For more on who is steering Arkansas higher education, explore the People section.
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