New University of Arizona president selected amid financial woes

(The Center Square) – Dr. Suresh Garimella will be the next president of the University of Arizona following a unanimous vote by the Arizona Board of Regents. He currently leads the University of Vermont, and he will be the 23rd president of the Tucson-based institution.

“I am honored to be chosen by the board as the next president of the University of Arizona,” Garimella said in a statement on Friday morning.

“There are tremendous opportunities in front of us and I look forward to collaborating with U of A students, faculty, staff and alumni to build upon our strengths as an institution and continue to lead in excellence here in Tucson and around the world,” he later added.

ABOR Chair Cecilia Mata said he was the right pick to help the university bounce back from its financial woes.

“Dr. Garimella is student-focused and considers himself first and foremost a faculty member. With a 35-year career in higher education, Suresh is engaging, a great listener and a collaborative leader,” Mata stated. “Wildcats are part of our state’s DNA and Dr. Garimella has shown he is the right leader at the right time to heal and grow Arizona’s land-grant university.”

The Board of Regents announced earlier this week at that the search advisory committee was moving to its interview phase, and that the shortlist of candidates would only be made public of people who accepted an interview. Garimella was the only option that was announced by ABOR.

Dr. Robert C. Robbins, the current president of the university, said he would step down when at the end of his contract or when a new replacement was found following the $177 million budget shortfall that has since been reportedly chopped down to $52 million, Higher Ed Dive reported. The announcement likely sets up a much faster departure for Robbins, as his contract does not formally end until June 2026.

“Should ABOR select a new President who is prepared to start sooner than the end date of my contract, I will ensure a smooth transition to my successor and step aside earlier,” Robbins wrote on April 2.

“Although this is a difficult decision, it is the right decision for me and for the university that I love so dearly,” he continued.

The shortfall also led to then-ABOR Executive Director John Arnold stepping aside to focus on the crisis, as well as regent Fred DuVal remaining on the board but leaving his role as chair. It was a major week for the board that oversees the state's three public universities, as Lee Stein was appointed by Gov. Katie Hobbs to the board and Chad Sampson was promoted to Executive Director.