Student Regent

Amanda Lee

Student Regent 2020-2021

• Amanda Lee Information

  Student Regent Amanda Lee is a member of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Raven Scholar at Sam Houston State University. She will receive her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies in May 2021. She is highly engaged in campus activities, often in leadership roles, having served as Student Body President; Vice Chair of the TSUS Board of Regents Student Advisory Board; Alpha Delta Pi Vice President of Member Development; Orange Key Student Ambassador Vice President of Programming; Order of Omega, Greek Life Honors Society; Campus Outreach Student Ministry and Student Government Association Chief of Staff (2018-19).

  In addition to a rigorous academic schedule and dynamic involvement in campus organizations and in her community, since 2017 Student Regent Lee has worked as a student assistant (lead) in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

  In addition to working on campus, Amanda volunteers with her sorority sisters at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston. Her favorite part about being involved in this activity is serving meals to the children and families living in the house because the gesture and act of kindness often provide temporary relief and comfort from the difficult times they are experiencing. Never one to miss an opportunity for service to others, during Christmas time, she is involved in donating gifts to the Boys and Girls Club.

  Amanda was born in Jacksonville, Texas and graduated from Jacksonville High School in 2017. She learned the value of hard work, the importance of education and the spirit of giving to others from her parents, Douglas Lee and Lisa Foreman. Her sister, Samantha (Lee) Beck is an Alumna of Sam Houston State University, having graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Kaitlyn Tyra

Student Regent 2017-2018

• Kaityln Tyra Information

  Ms. Kaitlyn Tyra is from Spring, Texas. She is a senior accounting major and honors student at Sam Houston State University. After graduating from Sam Houston State, Ms. Tyra plans to continue her education by pursuing a Master's in Business Administration.

  During her time at Sam Houston State University, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA, while being engaged in extracurricular activities, volunteering in her local community, and working part-time. Ms. Tyra currently serves as president of the LEAP Ambassadors (Center for Law, Engagement and Politics). Additionally, Ms. Tyra is an active member of the Elliot T. Bowers Honors College and the Sam Houston Pre-Law Society. Previously, she served as the President of the Sam Houston Pre-Law Society, Vice President of the LEAP Ambassadors, and as a member of the inaugural moot court team at Sam Houston.

  Ms. Tyra works as a courier at the Huntsville law firm of Smither, Martin, Henderson & Blazek, P.C. and is an active volunteer for the HEARTS Veterans Museum, the Walker County Republican Women, the Walker County Republican Party, and Huntsville's Mainstreet Association. Ms. Tyra is proud of her civic engagement and thankful to be a member of Huntsville's community.

  Ms. Tyra recently interned for Senator Charles Schwertner during the 85th Legislative Session where she learned the value of public service first hand. She is eager to serve her peers, Sam Houston State University, and the Texas State University System through her role as student regent. Her term on the Board of Regents expires in 2018.

Dylan McFarland

Student Regent 2016-2017

• Dylan McFarland Information

  Dylan, a senior Criminal Justice major, and Spanish minor came to Sam Houston State University as an Honors student from Frisco, Texas. He began in the Fall of 2014, and is planning to graduate a year ahead of schedule, and then continue his Master’s education in Homeland Security Studies at SHSU. Dylan has demonstrated an exemplary ability to balance academics and organizational involvement. During his time at SHSU, he has served as a member and Ambassador for the Elliott T. Bowers Honors College; a Freshman Leader and a Mentor for the Dean of Students' Office Freshman Leadership Program; a Councilor, a Senator, the Chief of Rules and Regulations, the Student Body Treasurer, and the Student Body Vice President for the Student Government Association; a Resident Advisor for the Department of Residence Life; and an Orange Key for the Official University Ambassadors. Dylan has also served on the Student Disciplinary Hearing Committee, Parking Appeals Committee, Greek Life Strategic Planning Committee, and the Student Guidelines Review Committee, and for two consecutive years, Dylan has been a Sammy Award recipient.

  His future plans are to continue serving at Sam Houston State University. His most recent appointment, by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas State University System Board of Regents, will give him the opportunity to continue representing and serving students at SHSU. After graduation, Dylan plans to continue his service in the government sector by going from gubernatorial appointee to becoming a Law Enforcement Officer.

Spencer Copeland

Student Regent 2015-2016

• Spencer Copeland Information

  Spencer is currently a masters student in the Homeland Security Program. Prior to his graduate work he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. Spencer was born in Houston but quickly left after his mother joined the Air Force. Since then, he has traveled around the nation and even spent some time overseas. By the time he finished high school he had lived in seven states and two countries. In the Spring of 2014, he was elected to serve as Student Body President at Sam Houston State University. In July 2015, Governor Abbott appointed Mr. Copeland to serve as Student Regent for the Texas State University System. Spencer aims to continue his advocacy for students over the term of his appointment. After graduation, he hopes to use his knowledge and leadership abilities to help others while working in the Law Enforcement arena.

Ryan Bridges

Student Regent 2011-2012

• Ryan Bridges Information

  Ryan Bridges, a senior General Business major and Marketing minor from Houston, Texas, served in his second term as the Sam Houston State University student body president, and entered his first term as Chairman of the Texas State University System Student Advisory Board.  In his role with the Student Government Association, Ryan served on numerous University committees, including the student representative on the Presidential Search Committee. In addition, Ryan was involved in many organizations on campus, such as the Freshman Leadership Program and the Kat Krazies, of which he was the founding member and served as the first president.  Ryan was also an Eagle Scout and a 2009 inductee into Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, as well as the recipient of the 2010 “Outstanding Junior Leader” award in recognition of his leadership role within the University. While at Sam Houston, Ryan always strived to serve and represent the students of Sam Houston State University to the best of his ability, always keeping in mind the University's motto, “The measure of a Life is its Service.”

Nicole Lozano

Student Regent 2008-2009

• Nicole Lozano Information

  Senior psychology major Nicole Lozano was the second consecutive SHSU student regent appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to serve as the student representative on the Texas State University Board of Regents.  She became the third student regent since Perry signed legislation creating the role in 2005.

  “The fact that I was selected is amazing, and I am incredibly excited about being given this chance,” Lozano said. “It’s a unique way to get to know how the university system works, and something that I believe would be a good thing to know, especially as someone who would like to work for a university later on.”

  “Theoretically, it’s supposed to be (appointed) on a rotating basis (of all the universities in the system),” said vice president for Student Services Frank Parker. “To have two students in a row speaks highly of the quality of our students at Sam Houston State University."
  
  While the student regent position is a non-voting one and their vote is not counted for quorum, this position plays an important role in the decision-making process.

  According to Nicole, "it’s an important role because there needs to be that connection." She also indicated that students should have an understanding of why decisions are being made, and the need to have someone on the board to help with that.

  Lozano was active both on and off campus.  She served as the community coordinator for New Life Housing, a member of the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, Phi Theta Kappa and Golden Key International Honor Society, as an advocate and children’s worker for the SAAFE House and volunteer with various other organizations in the community.

  As a proponent of undergraduate research on campus, she organized SHSU’s first undergraduate research symposium.

  After graduating, Lozano planned to pursue a doctorate in counseling psychology and  eventually open her own practice, and teach as an adjunct faculty member.

Magdalena Manzano

Student Regent 2007-2008

• Magdalena Manzano Information

  Magdalena Manzano, an SHSU economics and international business major was the second student to be appointed to the Texas State University System's Board of Regents by Gov. Rick Perry in 2007. She served a one-year term as student regent until Feb. 1, 2008.

  As a Student Regent, Manzano exercised the same responsibilities and duties as other members of the Board of Regents, with the exception of voting and being counted to determine a quorum.