Hobbs appoints new member to Arizona Board of Regents

(The Center Square) – Attorney Lee Stein is joining the Arizona Board of Regents following an appointment by Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Stein is the third appointment by Hobbs to the board that oversees the state’s three public universities: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona. The other three picks were Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta of Flagstaff, and student regents Jadyn Fisher and David Zaragoza.

“Lee Stein has a track record of fighting for accountability and transparency, experience that will make him well equipped to serve on the Arizona Board of Regents,” Hobbs said in a statement. “With a dedication to public service and a deep appreciation for Arizona’s universities, I have no doubt that Mr. Stein will be an effective member of the Board and will help ensure accessible and attainable higher education for everyone while safeguarding the integrity of our world-class public universities.”

Stein is a former Assistant United States Attorney and former Special Assistant Attorney General in Arizona. He is also the president of the Arizona Justice Project’s Board of Directors, which is a group that tackles possible wrongful conviction cases.

“I am humbled by Governor Hobbs’ confidence in me,” Stein stated. “I fully appreciate the importance of higher education to the state and I am looking forward to doing my part to ensure that the universities continue to provide an accessible and high quality education to Arizona students.”

The board plays a key role in looking at issues involving the universities, ranging from approving their budgets to voting on increasing or decreasing tuition and other costs.

The University of Arizona’s $177 million budget shortfall resulted in Fred Duval remaining on the board but leaving his position as chair, and Executive Director John Arnold taking a step back to focus on the university’s debt woes in March. In addition, university president Dr. Robert C. Robbins will be leaving his job once a new replacement for him is found.

The board operates the presidential search committee to determine who should fill Robbins’ shoes in light of the funding issues. Chair Cecilia Mata, DuVal, and Doug Goodyear serve on the committee.