Texas Gov. Rick Perry has appointed University of Houston law and business student Andrew Cobos as student regent for the UH System Board of Regents. He will begin a one-year term on June 1.
"I am excited by this appointment and the opportunity to serve as an advocate for UH System students," Cobos said. " During my term, it will be my goal to work with my fellow regents to address issues facing higher education and develop solutions that will continue the growth of the UH system universities."
At UH, Cobos is pursuing a juris doctor and master of business administration through a dual degree program. He hails from El Paso, Texas and is a member of the Houston Young Lawyers Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Cobos also serves as a Harris County court appointed mediator, and president of the Houston Military Law Society. He is a member of the University of Houston Advocates Society and a volunteer for The People's Law School at UH. Cobos served as an officer in the U.S. Army and was a platoon leader and executive officer for the Military Police Corps. He received a bachelor's degree in geography from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
"I am confident that my military experience will benefit the board," Cobos said. "As a platoon leader, I was trained in weighing costs and benefits of crucial decisions. Likewise, the military also prepared me for directly addressing problems and issues. I look forward to applying these skills to the role of student regent, as well as learning from my fellow board members."
In 2005, Perry signed legislation directing each public university board of regents to include one non-voting student member. In 2007, the governor signed legislation creating a student representative position on the Coordinating Board.
Cobos will replace UH Victoria graduate student Kristen Lindley as UHS student regent. Lindley's term expires on May 31.