Miguel Craven was confirmed as the University of California’s next student regent after the Board of Regents voted to adopt the special committee’s recommendation during the board’s July meeting at UCLA.
The nomination followed a selection process led by Regent Emeritus Josiah Bihari, who presented Craven’s background and the committee’s criteria. After the presentation the board moved to adopt the committee’s recommendation; a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes and the chair announced Craven’s confirmation.
The appointment matters because the student regent serves a two-year term as a voting member of the board and provides a student perspective on systemwide governance. The special committee said it sought a candidate with demonstrated leadership, community-building skills, a data-driven approach to problem solving and a commitment to UC’s mission.
Bihari summarized Craven’s record, noting Craven served two terms as student body president at UC Merced, advocated for underserved communities and contributed as a student observer on the board’s finance committee. Craven graduated in May with bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering from UC Merced and told the board he will pursue a master’s in engineering at UC Davis this fall. Craven said, “I’m honored to be here with all of you,” and described his goal of representing students across disciplines and backgrounds.
The board recorded its vote by roll call, with the chair announcing that the tally confirmed Miguel Craven as the student regent for the 2026–27 term. The board then invited Craven to speak briefly, and several members offered congratulations.
Craven is the first student regent from an engineering background and the committee noted it has been nearly 20 years since a student regent attended UC Davis. He said he looks forward to working with regents “for the next 2 years.”
The board adjourned the open session shortly after the confirmation; no additional formal actions tied to the appointment were recorded in open session.