Austin: Governor Unveils New Student Regents for Texas’s Public Universities
Thursday, May 9, 2024 marked a monumental day for Texas’s students. Governor Greg Abbott named eight student regents for their respective universities, effective from June 1, 2024, with terms set to expire on May 31, 2025.
The announcement came in the wake of the farewell comments made this week from this year’s Texas A&M system student regent, Annie Valicek, at the board of regents business meetings.
Highlighting a series of talented and academically excellent individuals who will serve their student communities at a board level, the newly appointed representatives have already been receiving congratulatory messages and support across their campuses.
New Regents at a Glance
Each nominated student represents from among the top tier of their respective educational institutions. They have shown exceptional academic performance, involvement in their communities, and a commitment to improving their universities.
The governor’s student appointment for the Texas A&M University System is a law student named Cage Sawyers from Van Alstyne who received his bachelor’s degree from TCU. Likewise, student regent for the Texas State University system is Olivia Discon, a local from Huntsville and a Sam Houston State University student. Luke Schwartz, pursuing two graduate degrees at the University of Texas at Tyler, was named as a student representative by the governor for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Overview of the Student Regents
For the Texas A&M University System, law student Cage Sawyers from Van Alstyne has been chosen. Sawyers received a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy with a minor in energy technology, management, and policy from Texas Christian University. He is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor from Texas A&M University School of Law.
Next, we have Taylor Getwood of Port Arthur representing Texas Southern University. He obtained an Associate of Arts in Academic Studies from Lamar State College Port Arthur and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Texas Southern University. Currently, he is pursuing an Executive Master of Public Administration from TSU.
For the Texas State University System, Olivia Discon of Huntsville is on board, currently studying a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University.
From Texas Tech University System, Jad Zeitouni of Lubbock has been selected. Zeitouni obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas Tech University, and currently, he’s pursuing a Doctor of Medicine from the TTU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.
Maya Landgrebe of Alvin will represent Texas Woman’s University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas Woman’s University and is pursuing a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the TWU Institute of Health Sciences – Houston Center.
The University of Houston System will have Tomas Bryan of Houston. Currently serving as an associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bryan received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and is pursuing a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Houston.
Ethan Gillis of Denton will serve the University of North Texas System. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and Brand Strategy with a minor in journalism and psychology and a certificate in event management from the University of North Texas.
Lastly, Anthony Dragun of Midland will serve the University of Texas System. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine from UT Southwestern Medical School.
These appointments are a significant step towards promoting students’ voices and interests at a strategic level within their respective universities. It is also an affirmation of the value and importance these institutions place on the student perspective. It epitomizes a student-centered approach by involving students in the decision-making processes that will directly affect their academic journeys.
As these student regents step into their roles, we anticipate witnessing them making meaningful contributions to their communities and showcasing leadership that sets precedence for the future cohorts.
