Brandon Simmons Appointed Head of Texas Higher Education Compliance Office

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Brandon L. Simmons, chair of the Texas Southern University Board of Regents, as Texas’ first higher education ombudsman. The role, created under Senate Bill 37, will oversee compliance with new state laws restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and limiting faculty senate authority, according to official statements.

The new office, created under Senate Bill 37 and housed within the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is tasked with ensuring that public colleges and universities comply with recent state laws banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. It will also handle complaints and investigations related to possible violations of these laws.

“Brandon Simmons’ achievements and dedication to educate our future leaders as an entrepreneur, professor, and university chairman will help ensure Texas’ higher education institutions continue to set the national standard and prepare our students to thrive,” Abbott said in the official announcement.

Simmons, a former tech executive and venture capitalist, currently serves as a distinguished professor of business at Wiley University in Marshall, Texas. He will step down from the Texas Southern University Board of Regents, with Regent James Benham taking over as chair.

Simmons’ appointment is pending confirmation by the Texas Senate.