Our Senior Vice President

Can (John) Saygin, PhD

Senior Vice President for Research, Dean of the Graduate College

Biography

Dr. Saygin currently serves as Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Senior Vice President for Research, and Dean of the Graduate College at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), where he has demonstrated transformative leadership in advancing the institution's research mission and graduate education. Under his leadership since August 2022, UTRGV has achieved remarkable growth in research performance, with annual sponsored project awards increasing from $97 million in FY23 to $200 million in FY24, research doctoral degrees growing by 58%, and significant expansion of research infrastructure and support services. UTRGV became eligible for National Research Support Funding (NRSF) from the State of Texas in May 2025, based on increased total research expenditures and research doctoral degrees. The NRSF designation brings over $10.5 million annually to UTRGV for research and development. Recently, UTRGV closed FY25 with $103.7 million in total research expenditures, which is a 71% increase compared to $60.74 million in FY22.

Prior to UTRGV, Dr. Saygin held several senior leadership positions at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where he played a pivotal role in the institution's achievement of both Carnegie R1 status (Carnegie 2022 cycle) and National Research University Fund eligibility. His roles included Senior Associate Vice President for Research, Senior Vice Provost for University Planning, and Senior Vice Provost for Institutional Intelligence and Strategic Initiatives. He also served as Interim Dean of the Graduate School, where he achieved a 40% increase in graduate enrollment through strategic improvements to admissions processes and student support services.

Throughout his administrative career, Dr. Saygin has consistently exhibited the ability to drive institutional transformation through strategic vision, innovative leadership, and data-driven decision-making. He has developed comprehensive frameworks for research administration, implemented faculty and staff development programs, and established partnerships with national laboratories, federal agencies, and industry leaders.

As a scholar, Dr. Saygin holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey) with a focus on advanced manufacturing and automation. His academic career includes faculty positions at the University of Toledo-Ohio, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and UTSA. He has received numerous accolades for teaching excellence, including the UTSA President's Distinguished Achievement Award and the University of Texas System Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award. His research has been funded by prestigious organizations including the Air Force Research Lab, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense, and various industry partners.

Dr. Saygin's leadership philosophy emphasizes empowering faculty and staff through innovative support structures, fostering collaborative data-driven decision-making environments based on accountability, and maintaining a strong commitment to timely institutional transformation as the end goal. His experience advancing Hispanic-serving institutions, combined with his track record in academic administration and strategic planning, demonstrates his ability to lead complex organizations toward ambitious goals while maintaining focus on institutional mission and stakeholder needs.

Curriculum Vitae
Administrative
Academic