Gov. Abbott appoints John Michael Austin as Scholar Regent for UT Board of Regents

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed John Michael Austin because the Scholar Regent for the College of Texas System Board of Regents earlier this month for a time period lasting from June 2023 to Might 2024. 

The Scholar Regent is a non-voting member of the Board of Regents who represents college students throughout all 13 establishments throughout the UT System. The governor appoints a scholar beneficial by the chancellor of the UT System. 

“The Scholar Regent serves as a voice for college kids by bringing a well-informed scholar perspective to the deliberations of the Board of Regents,” former Scholar Regent Neelesh Mutyala stated in a press release. “Having college students in thoughts on the forefront of each dialogue, the opposite regents listened attentively and vastly valued my enter.”

Austin is a third-year medical scholar on the College of Texas Well being Science Heart at San Antonio’s Lengthy Faculty of Drugs. He beforehand served because the Legislative Director for the Chairman of Home Insurance coverage within the Texas Home of Representatives, the place he authored a invoice to enhance entry to insulin for uninsured Texans. In response to the UT System’s web site, Austin additionally served because the President of the Texas Medical Affiliation chapter at UT Well being Science Heart – San Antonio.

“My expertise as a legislative staffer taught me how digging into points and creating novel options may permit me to assist meaningfully enhance the lives of Texans,” Austin stated in a press release. “I view this regent function as one other alternative to each study and take what I’ve discovered to maximise the worth college students get from the UT system.”

As Scholar Regent, Austin stated he seems ahead to making sure college students get probably the most worth out of their training at a UT establishment, whether or not by holding tuition inexpensive or enhancing job prospects after commencement. 

“The undertaking I’m wanting ahead to probably the most includes studying extra about present efforts to facilitate scholar job placement after each graduate and undergraduate diploma completion and supporting elevated alternatives for co-ops and internships,” Austin stated. “I imagine the UT System is one in every of Texas’ finest drivers of financial alternative, and serving to college students safe a job they’re pleased with after commencement is one in every of our most essential markers of success.”

As a former Scholar Regent, Mutyala stated he recommends the Scholar Regent have interaction with college students all through the UT system and develop sturdy relationships with directors. 

“I’ve had an opportunity to speak to John Michael and know he’s a passionate chief who shall be a robust voice for all UT System college students,” Mutyala stated. “I sit up for his upcoming service as our Scholar Regent.”