Varun Joseph appointed as new student regent

AUSTIN—Varun Pokkamthanam Joseph has been appointed as the new student regent on The University of Texas System Board.

Joseph, of McKinney, Texas, is currently pursuing a doctorate of dental surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is also a graduate of Baylor University, where he received a master’s and bachelor’s degree in biology. Upon receiving his D.D.S., Joseph plans to pursue his master of business administration at The University of Texas at Arlington, where he has previously taken coursework. 

“The student regent brings a crucial voice to the Board and is a highly regarded position,” Regents Chairman Paul Foster said. “The Board of Regents looks forward to Varun’s significant input and involvement this next year.” 

Joseph brings a unique perspective to the Board of Regents because of his previous position as chair of the UT System Student Advisory Council, a representative group of students from each UT institution that raises awareness of student issues and concerns to the System level.

“I think Varun is going to be an excellent representative to the Regents because of his experience meeting with students from all of the campuses during his time on the council,” Wanda Mercer, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for student affairs and principal liaison to the Student Advisory Council, said.

Varun, both the first Indian American and first dental student to serve as UT System student regent, was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott through a competitive selection process that began at each of the institutions.

Mercer’s office oversees the student regent nominations and selection committee. After recommendations are made to the chancellor, they are sent to the governor who then makes the final selection.  

“I am honored beyond words and I look forward to advocating on behalf of students across all UT System schools from the Rio Grande Valley all the way to the North Texas region,” Joseph said.

Abbott appointed Joseph and 10 other students to higher education governing boards across the state. The one-year term as student regent begins June 1, 2016 and will expire May 31, 2017. Student regents serve as nonvoting members.

To learn more about the nomination and selection process, please visit the Student Regent website. 

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and an enrollment of more than 217,000, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates almost two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System has an annual operating budget of $16.9 billion (FY 2016) including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With about 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates – and more than 70,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.