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 UH System Board of Regents. Caraves’ term began on June 1, and he will serve on the Board until May 31, 2026, representing students across all UH System universities.
A first-generation college student from Galveston, Caraves earned his Bachelor of Science in health from the University of Houston and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration and Master of Healthcare Administration from UHCL.
When he’s 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, who is replacing UH graduate student Tomas Bryan as student regent, will work with the members of the UH System Board of Regents to make governing decisions for the system and each of its universities. Although he won’t have a vote on the nine-member board, he will be the voice of the system’s more than 75,000 students.
As he begins his term as student regent, Caraves is reflecting on his new appointment, his goals for the position and what the UH System means to him.
Q: How does it feel to be appointed the student regent on the UH System Board of Regents?
Adrian Caraves: Being appointed student regent is one of the greatest honors of my life. To me, it is more than a title. It is a responsibility to represent over 75,000 students across the UH System. I have walked in the shoes of a first-generation student, a working student and a transfer student. I know what it feels like to want more for yourself and your future, and to chase that while balancing real-life responsibilities.
This role gives me the platform to advocate for those voices, to listen deeply and to help shape decisions that impact not only the present but the future of our UH System. Former student regent Tomas Bryan once told me, “You can fake caring, but you cannot fake showing up.” I carry those words with me, and I am committed to showing up fully engaged, fully informed and fully ready to serve.
Q: Why did you want to serve in this capacity?
AC: I ultimately decided to apply because I know how powerful representation can be and I believe I am uniquely suited to represent our diverse student body. Having studied at three of our UH System campuses, I bring a broad and personal understanding of the student experience across the system. I have seen firsthand how policy decisions trickle down and impact real lives, which I believe positions me well to serve in this role. I did not just want to observe change, I wanted to be part of making it happen.
Serving as student regent gives me the chance to elevate student voices at the highest level of our university system. I want to make sure students from all backgrounds feel seen, heard and supported. This role is my opportunity to give back to the system that has shaped me, and to help ensure it works even better for the next generations to come.
Q: What are some of your priorities or interests you’d like to address during your term?
AC: First, I want to establish and publicize an official email address for the student regent position. This would help standardize communication, preserve institutional knowledge and allow future student regents to better understand the issues previously raised by students across our universities.
I also want to expand support for first-generation and transfer students, strengthen mental health resources, and ensure that every UH System campus feels inclusive, welcoming and empowering. These are foundational areas that reflect both my personal journey and the needs I continue to hear from my peers.
Another goal is to encourage more cross-campus collaboration and pitch new ideas that bring our System universities closer together. I have one idea in particular that, if supported by the Board, could set a precedent across Texas.
Most importantly, I want to spend this year listening, learning and engaging with students across our universities. I plan to host meet-and-greet events at each campus to help students understand who their student regent is, where they come from and how they can contribute to the vision.
I also want students to know that the Board of Regents are policymakers. If there is something they believe can be improved through policy, I encourage them to share it with me or even request to speak at one of our quarterly board meetings. I am happy to serve as a liaison and ensure that students are aware of the tools, platforms and resources available to them.
Ultimately, my goal is to help our UH System continue moving forward stronger, smarter and more student-focused than ever before.
Q: Why did you choose UH for your undergrad degree and UHCL for grad school?
AC: I want the record to show that when I graduated as a valedictorian, I earned automatic admission to every public university in Texas. Out of all my options, I chose the University of Houston for my undergraduate degree because it felt like a place where someone like me – first-generation, ambitious and community-driven – could truly thrive. Along with a strong academic foundation, UH gave me the opportunity to lead, serve and grow in one of the most dynamic cities in the world. I don’t think we should take Houston for granted – it is a city full of culture, opportunity and energy. To study here is a privilege, and I wholeheartedly believe our UH System should be among the top choices for any student.
When it came time for graduate school, UHCL was a natural next step. The MHA/MBA program offered the flexibility to keep working and leading while building the skill set I need to create lasting impact in health care. The campus community is close-knit and deeply supportive, with faculty who are genuinely invested in student success. It is a place where I have been able to bring big ideas to life, whether that is launching student organizations or creating events that uplift the campus community. Both UH and UHCL have been instrumental in shaping the person and leader I am today.
Q: What profession do you want to go into when you graduate?
AC: There is a saying: when people are healthy, they have a thousand dreams. But when they are sick, they only have one. That truth has always stayed with me. When I graduate, I want to pursue a career in health care administration and eventually step into executive leadership roles within hospital systems. My goal is to help shape organizations that deliver high-quality, compassionate care while operating efficiently and equitably. I have witnessed the gaps, the barriers and the tremendous impact this field can have on people’s lives. That is why I am pursuing a joint MHA/MBA degree: to be equipped not only to manage operations but to lead with strategy, empathy and purpose. I want to help build systems that work better for everyone.