Tomas Bryan appointed as new student regent for University of Houston System

The University of Houston System (UHS) Board of Regents is set to welcome a new student representative. Tomas Bryan, a UH graduate student, has been announced as the incoming student regent and will be officially sworn in at an upcoming board meeting.

Bryan is currently pursuing a master’s degree in finance at UH’s C. T. Bauer College of Business. He has a history of advocating for his peers and aims to maintain the momentum of the UHS while 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,” Bryan said.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed Bryan to this position, making him the 19th student regent of UHS. He will succeed Mielad Ziaee, whose term as student regent ends on May 31.

Bryan earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from UH after graduating from Cypress Creek High School. He was attracted to UH due to its national standing as a top-tier higher education institution.

“Being a native Houstonian I know the countless opportunities created by the award-winning faculty in Houston's Tier One academic institution,” Bryan 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 actively involved on campus, having served as a resident adviser, a Student Government Association senator and participated in 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 noted.

In addition to his campus engagements, Bryan has also volunteered for several community organizations including the Houston Food Bank, Baker Ripley and Red, White and Bike which supports children of fallen military personnel.

“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 currently works as an associate consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and plans to further his career within the company after obtaining his master’s degree.

In his role as student regent, Bryan will collaborate with the nine board members to support all UHS institutions (UH, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown and UH-Victoria). While he won't have voting rights on the board, he 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 stated.