Thomas Evans
Dr. Thomas M. Evans is the 10th president of the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW). Founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, UIW today is the largest Catholic university in Texas with a global enrollment of more than 10,000 students who reflect the diversity of South Texas, Mexico and the world.
As president, Evans oversees the management of the UIW system, which includes multiple campuses in San Antonio, international campuses, and St. Anthony Catholic High School, which was named No. 2 Best Catholic High School in San Antonio in 2023. Globally, UIW maintains two campuses in Mexico, a European Study Center, and Global Online, a program offering UIW's U.S. degrees in Spanish to Latin America. In San Antonio, the University encompasses five health professions schools, five liberal arts schools and one college. Evans also heads the Brainpower Connection, a circle of collegiality established between Catholic elementary and secondary schools in San Antonio that offers an education pathway for students from pre-school to Ph.D. He leads an institution of more than 1,200 full-time employees that is regularly recognized as a top employer and exceptional workplace.
Since beginning his term, Evans has spearheaded significant advancements across the System. Evans has created and developed UIW's Strategic Plan, which put in place a clear vision and priorities for the future, and the Campus Master Plan, which guides the physical and capital development of UIW's San Antonio campuses. In 2019, he oversaw the transformational acquisition of Founders Hall, a 350,000-square-foot building on 10 acres. In 2020, he expanded UIW's Brooks Campus, home to the School of Osteopathic Medicine, which now totals 265,000-square-feet across seven buildings on 23.5 acres. Notably, Evans has increased high-level donations, opening the door to development of new scholarships, programs, and physical and digital infrastructure.
Academically, UIW is a college of distinction. Many of its programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional Ph.D. levels have earned honors and accolades for overall excellence, innovation, board-exam pass rates, career development and placement, service to the military and commitment to diversity. Throughout 2020 and 2021, Evans established partnerships and agreements with numerous Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions, opening pathways for more students to continue their journeys in the health professions. In 2021, he introduced dedicated pathways for employees and dependents of all ministries of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word to attend UIW. From 2022 to 2023, UIW was ranked among the top national universities, top performers in social mobility, best Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs, best online bachelor’s programs, best online bachelor’s programs for veterans, best online bachelor’s in business programs, best online MBA programs and more. In its 2024 listing, U.S. News & World Report ranked UIW as No. 39 among National Universities promoting Social Mobility, making it No. 6 among private universities within that ranking.
In furtherance of the University Mission, Evans has prioritized efforts that lift the lives of students, their families, and the community. He established the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, dedicated to ensuring the University continues to serve and elevate the dignity of every person. In 2021, UIW was named among the San Antonio Business Journal’s inaugural winners of its Diversity and Inclusion Awards.
UIW has an NCAA Division I athletics program with more than 500 student-athletes across 23 teams in 14 sports. In 2021, the UIW Football team was named Southland Conference Champions and advanced to game two of the NCAA FCS Championships. The following year, UIW Football again took home the SLC Championship and advanced to the NCAA FCS Semifinals. At the end of the 21-22 academic year, UIW took home conference titles in six different sports, the Southland Strong Community Service Award and the Southland Conference Commissioners Cup. In 2023, UIW took home the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup and the Men’s All-Sports Award.
Evans is a member of many professional and civic organizations in San Antonio, including the BioMedSA Board of Directors Executive Committee, Catholic Charities Board of Directors, Mays Cancer Center Board of Governors, Scouts BSA Alamo Area Council Board, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) Board of Directors, United Way Advisory Council, UP Partnership Board of Directors, World Affairs Council Board of Trustees, and Young Presidents Organization (YPO) San Antonio GOLD Chapter. At the state level, he is a member of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas Board Executive Committee.
He is also a member of several national organizations, including the American Council of Education, Assembly of Presidents of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities Board of Directors – Catholic Identity & Mission Assessment (CIMA) Advisory and Oversight Committee, Council of Independent Colleges, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, NCAA Division I Presidents, President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Southern Association of Colleges and Universities and Schools Commission on Colleges, Southland Conference Board of Directors, Council of Independent Colleges, and YPO. Internationally, he serves on the Asia Pacific University (Japan) Governing Advisory Board.
Evans holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at Austin; a Master of Arts in Asian Studies from UT-Austin; and a Bachelor of Science in Language Arts with a major in Japanese and a minor in Theology from Georgetown University where he studied abroad at Keio University's Center for Japanese Language and Culture in Tokyo. He has participated in national leadership programs, including Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management and Seminar on Advancement Leadership for Presidents.
He previously served as president of Carroll College, a Catholic institution in Helena, Montana. Prior to Carroll, he was an associate vice president at St. Edwards University in Austin, where he was responsible for professional education and global initiatives.
A native of Austin, Dr. Evans and his wife, Lisa, have two sons, Walter and Leland.