A Moment In Arizona History

On March 4, 2008, HEEF Executive Director, LuAnn Leonard (Hopi-Tohono Oodham) became the first Native American appointed to serve for an eight year term as a Regent on the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).

Appointed by Arizona Governor Janet Napalitano, Leonard's nomination successfully passed out of the State Senate Committee on Higher Education and was ratified by the entire State of Arizona Senate with no opposition. Leonard was selected as one of two Regents to fulfill legislation that requires having at least two of the Regents residing in an Arizona county with a population of less than 800,000.

Established in 1864, the ABOR is committed to:
· Ensuring access for qualified residents of Arizona to undergraduate and graduate instruction.
· Promoting the discovery application and dissemination of new knowledge,
· Extending the benefits of university activities to Arizona's citizens outside the university, and,
· Maximizing the benefits derived from the state's investment in education.

Regent Leonard joins a distinguished list of list of fellow Regents including Fred Boice, President, Ernest Calderon, Vice President, Fred DuVal, Treasurer, Anne Marriucci, Secretary, former US Senator Dennis Deconcini, Robert Bulla, Bob McLeondon, Mary Venezia Student Regent, and David Martinez, Student Regent. Serving as Ex- Officios are Governor Napalitano, and Superientendant of Education for the State of Arizona, Tom Horne. Also present and participating in each ABOR meeting is ABOR Executive Director Joel Sideman as well as the Presidents of Arizona State University, Michael Crow, Northern Arizona University, John Hager, University of Arizona, Robert Shelton and their teams of dedicated and highly educated staff members.

Leonard stated, "I thank Governor Napalitano and her staff for having the foresight, to leave as part of her legacy, the first ever Native American Regent." "I'm deeply honored not only for the appointment, but to be serving with such a distinguished group of individuals committed to enhancing the academic excellence at each of Arizona's universities."

Leonard stated that her goals as a Regent include:
· Insure that the needs of the students of rural Arizona are always expressed.
· Insure that the issues regarding the recruitment and retention of disadvantaged and underrepresented students are addressed.
· Understand how Tuition, Fee's Room & Board costs are developed to be able to better explain to the public.
· And to work to ensure that the quality of education provided at Arizona's universities is not only affordable and accessible but of the highest quality.