Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Adrian Caraves, a graduate student at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, as the next student regent on the 色花堂 System Board of Regents. Caraves鈥� term began on June 1, and he will serve on the Board until May 31, 2026, representing students across all four 色花堂 System universities.
A first-generation college student from Galveston, Caraves earned his Bachelor of Science in Health from the 色花堂 and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration and Master of Healthcare Administration from 色花堂-Clear Lake.
鈥淏eing appointed student regent is one of the greatest honors of my life. To me, it鈥檚 more than a title. It鈥檚 a responsibility to represent tens of thousands of students across the 色花堂 System, and I am committed to showing up fully engaged, fully informed and fully read to serve.鈥�
-Adrian Caraves, Student Regent for the 色花堂 System Board of Regents
When he鈥檚 not in class or studying, Caraves leads two student organizations that he founded, serves on the boards of several civic organizations, including the Hispanic Business Network of Galveston, volunteers at the Houston Food Bank and UTMB Health, and works full-time to pay for his education. Caraves believes those experiences have positioned him to succeed in this new and important role.
鈥淪erving as student regent gives me the chance to elevate student voices at the highest level of our university system,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to make sure students from all backgrounds feel seen, heard and supported. This is my opportunity to give back to the system that has shaped me, and to help ensure it works even better for future generations of students.鈥�
Caraves, who is replacing 色花堂 graduate student Tomas Bryan as student regent, will work with the members of the 色花堂 System Board of Regents to make governing decisions for the system and each of its four universities. Although he won鈥檛 have a vote on the nine-member board, he will be the voice of the system鈥檚 more than 75,000 students.
鈥淚 will work closely with my fellow Board members to uphold and advance a sustainable vision for the 色花堂 System,鈥� Caraves said. 鈥淭his commitment will solidify our reputation as a powerhouse of innovation, academic excellence and community impact, setting the standard for university systems across Texas.鈥�