Board / Commissioner

About the Board

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) was created by the Texas Legislature in 1965 to represent the highest authority in the state in matters of public higher education. Then-Governor John Connally's charge to the THECB still applies today:

“The greatest risk you face is an institutionalized system, with each college or university grasping for its own ends without regard to the needs of the people of the whole state, and perhaps without being aware of those needs. But over the years in Texas we have come to regard each college or university as a separate institution, striving independently for success. In many cases regarded locally as a boon to the economy, it struggles to be all things to all people, willing to do almost anything that will assure its getting larger---larger in enrollment, larger in buildings, larger in number and level of degrees offered, larger in number of graduates, larger in number of alumni. And it remains in constant danger of mediocrity…” [Full Charge PDF]

The THECB's Mission, Vision, Philosophy, Core Values, and Key Functions can be found at: Agency Mission, Vision, Philosophy, Core Values, & Key Functions

Commissioner

The Commissioner of Higher Education is appointed by the Board and serves as the CEO of the agency.

Harrison Keller
Commissioner of Higher Education
Commissioner@highered.texas.gov

The Board

The Board is comprised of nine members appointed by the Governor for six-year staggered terms and one non-voting student representative who serves for a one year term. The Governor also appoints the chair and vice-chair. The Board meets quarterly in Austin and all meetings are broadcast live on the Internet.

The Board operates under these publicly adopted policies and procedures: Board Operating Policies and Procedures [PDF].

Board members also serve on one or more standing committees which meet quarterly. Committee membership information can be found at: THECB Standing Committee Membership.

Information relating to the appointment of a non-voting student representative on the Board can found at: Non-voting Student Representative on Coordinating Board.

Contacting the Board

Messages may be sent to the Board or individual Board Members via email at BoardMember@highered.texas.gov; via USPS c/o THECB, PO Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711; phone (512) 427-6566, or fax at (512) 427-6127.

Board Members

	Fred Farias III, O.D. Chair Term Expires: August 31, 2025		Donna N. Williams Vice-Chair Term Expires: August 31, 2023
	S. Javaid Anwar Term Expires: August 31, 2021*		Richard L. Clemmer Term Expires: August 31, 2023
	Robert P. Gauntt Term Expires: August 31, 2027		Emma W. Schwartz Term Expires: August 31, 2025
	R. Sam Torn Term Expires: August 31, 2025		Welcome W. Wilson, Jr. Term Expires: August 31, 2023
	Daniel O. Wong Term Expires: August 31, 2027		Matthew B. Smith Student Representative Term Expires: May 31, 2022