Gov. Abbott Appoints UT Tyler Student to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

June 20, 2024 | Elizabeth Wingfield

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Lucas Schwartz, a student at The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, to serve as the student representative on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Schwartz’s one-year term began on June 1.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is a state agency that oversees higher education institutions and policies. The board works to ensure Texas higher education goals are aligned with economic and talent needs. Student representatives are selected based on their interest in relevant issues, leadership skills and academics.

“Lucas Schwartz embodies the spirit of leadership and dedication that we strive to cultivate in our students,” said Dr. Brigham C. Willis, UT Tyler School of Medicine founding dean. “His commitment to serving both the state and East Texas is commendable. We are confident that he will represent the interests of Texas students with great passion and integrity on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.”

As a student representative, Schwartz will attend quarterly board meetings and participate in training sessions.

“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to serve as the student representative on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,” said Lucas Schwartz. “This role provides a unique opportunity to advocate for students across Texas and address critical issues such as mental health resources, economic alignment of degree programs, and the student debt crisis. I look forward to working with the board and making a meaningful impact on higher education in our state.”

Schwartz graduated with an associate degree in biology from Tyler Junior College before completing his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at Texas A&M University. He served as a medic in the Air Force and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Medicine from the UT Tyler School of Medicine and an Executive Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from UT Tyler.

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 10,000 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.