Gov. Katie Hobbs names University of Arizona student to Board of Regents

PHOENIX — Gov. Katie Hobbs recently appointed an undergraduate student to the Arizona Board of Regents, the body that oversees the state’s three public universities.

Felipe Garcia, who is pursuing a dual degree in political science and creative intelligence and innovation at the University of Arizona, said he’s honored to represent students across the state.

“I am excited to work with the Board to be a valuable resource for Arizona’s public universities,” Garcia said in a Tuesday news release.

Hobbs, a Democrat, has said her appointees “share the mission of strengthening higher education for all Arizonans.”

“As a student at the University of Arizona, Felipe will be an effective voice, working to ensure that students are represented in university decisions and they have regular updates and communications from the Board’s perspective,” Hobbs said in the release.

When will Felipe Garcia student join Arizona Board of Regents?

He is replacing Student Regent David Zaragoza, whose two-year term on the Board is ending in June.

After Zaragoza’s term ends, Garcia will join the board’s other student regent, Jadyn Fisher of Northern Arizona University.

Garcia, who was born in Tucson, is a member of Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism and a former Presidential Chief of Staff for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona. He has said his goals are to expand student support services, help more people access education and broaden opportunities for professional development.

Cecilia Mata, the chair of the Arizona Board of Regents, commended Hobbs for tapping Garcia for the position of student regent.

“Student regents serve as a crucial voice in shaping policies that directly impact students. Felipe’s perspective and dedication will be invaluable, and we eagerly anticipate his contributions to our work,” Mata said in a Wednesday announcement.

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