Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Jad Zeitouni (pronounced “Zey-too-knee”) as the student regent for the Texas Tech University System (TTU System) Board of Regents for the 2024-25 academic year.
Zeitouni is a student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) where he is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree from the School of Medicine and studying public health in the Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health.
He graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Texas Tech University (TTU) Jerry S. Rawls College of Business in 2021. He also received the “Highest Honors” designation from the TTU Honors College. Zeitouni, a Lubbock native, is an alumnus of Lubbock-Cooper High School.
Zeitouni becomes the 19th student to serve on the Board of Regents and the seventh student from TTUHSC.
“Jad is an exceptional leader, and I congratulate him on this opportunity to serve as the student regent,” TTUHSC President Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D., said, in a news release. “He prioritizes service to others and has made a positive impact in his community, university, state and country. With his academic background at two system institutions, Jad’s unique perspective and understanding will undoubtedly be an asset as he represents students across the entire TTU System.”
Throughout his higher education journey, Zeitouni has been heavily involved in several programs, including the Physicians for Human Rights Advisory Board; the American Medical Association (AMA) Medical Student Committee on Global and Public Health; and the TTUHSC School of Medicine Student Affairs Committee. He was selected as an editorial fellow for the AMA Journal of Ethics, where he developed a themed issue about the role of private equity and health care to be published in May 2025. Zeitouni is also co-leading the TTUHSC School of Medicine Independent Student Analysis Subcommittee for accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
Zeitouni has co-authored eight publications and three published abstracts surrounding various health and medical topics. He serves as co-founder and co-director of the TTU System Health Policy Think Tank.
His first experience at the U.S. Capitol was as an intern in the House of Representatives, where he assisted in researching health care policy and strategy, as well as foreign policy research. Zeitouni also served as an intern in the United Nations Information Center where he researched global health policy, U.S. health policy and World Health Organization policies; reported on congressional hearings; and led think tanks, among other duties.
“Our students are our most important group of stakeholders, and our goal is to provide them with an unrivaled educational experience and the tools they need to succeed after graduation,” said Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., chancellor of the TTU System. “As student regent, Jad has a tremendous responsibility and opportunity to be an advocate for his peers and ensure that we achieve this goal. On behalf of the system, I want to thank him for serving in this critical role and am excited to see the impact he will have over the next year.”
Zeitouni will serve a one-year term – effective June 1 – set to expire on May 31, 2025. Additionally, he will undertake a yearlong research fellowship with Mass Eye and Ear. His first Board of Regents meeting will take place Aug. 8-9 at the TTU System Building in Lubbock. He replaces Steeley Smith of TTU, who was appointed in 2023.
