The University of Houston System Board of Regents will soon welcome a new student voice to the table. UH graduate student Tomas Bryan was announced as its student regent and will be formally sworn in at a future board meeting.
Bryan is pursuing a master’s degree in finance at UH’s C. T. Bauer College of Business. With a track record of supporting his fellow students and a focus on continuing the UH System’s momentum, he looks forward to serving on the board.
“My undergraduate experience at UH along with my passion for advocacy, fostering academic excellence, and commitment to advancing the University of Houston System inspired me to become the next Student Regent,” he said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed Bryan to this role, and he will become UHS’ 19th student regent. He will succeed Mielad Ziaee, whose term as student regent will expire May 31.
Bryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from UH and arrived at the University from Cypress Creek High School. He was drawn to the institution because of its national reputation as a top tier institution of higher education.
“Being a native Houstonian I know the countless opportunities created by the award-winning faculty in Houston's Tier One academic institution,” he said. “Once I saw the positive impact that the University was creating across the community, I knew UH was the place to be.”
Bryan has been particularly engaged on campus, serving as a resident adviser, a Student Government Association senator and serving on various committees.
“My involvement in these organizations allowed me to interact with the student body, enriched my student experience, refined my leadership skills, and instilled a passion for advocacy,” he said.
Off-campus, he has served the community as a volunteer for the Houston Food Bank, Baker Ripley and Red, White and Bike, which supports children of fallen members of the military.
“I am grateful to have a student regent of Tomas Bryan’s caliber representing our 75,000 UH System students,” said UH System Chancellor Renu Khator. “This position plays a pivotal role on our Board of Regents and I’m confident that he will help us fulfill our ambitious goals.”
Bryan is an associate consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and will focus on advancing his career within the company after earning his master’s degree.
As student regent, Bryan will work alongside the nine board members to support all of the UHS institutions (UH, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown and UH-Victoria). He will not have a voting role on the board but will represent approximately 75,000 students across the system.
“Having a student voice on the UHS Board of Regents provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of the UH System and the educational landscape across Texas,” Bryan said.