ABOR welcomes new student regent

The Arizona Board of Regents congratulates Felipe Garcia on his nomination for the position of student regent by Governor Katie Hobbs.

“On behalf of the board, we commend Governor Hobbs on her thoughtful selection of Felipe Garcia, an outstanding University of Arizona undergraduate, to be Arizona’s newest student regent,” said ABOR Chair Cecilia Mata. “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.” 

Garcia is a rising junior at the U of A’s W.A. Franke Honors College pursuing dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and creative intelligence and innovation, along with a minor in French. A Tucson native, Garcia is focused on expanding student support services and improving educational attainment and development opportunities. 

“Arizona’s public universities are exceptional institutions, offering students unforgettable experiences and unparalleled opportunities that pave the way for lifelong success,” said Garcia. “I am profoundly honored to be nominated by Governor Hobbs to represent the University of Arizona, and I am eager to serve as a passionate advocate for all university students during my tenure with the Board of Regents.”

In addition to his academic achievements as an honors student, Garcia serves as a youth commissioner on Governor Hobbs’ Commission on Service and Volunteerism, and is a Courage Fellow with GIFFORDS, the gun violence prevention group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. A trilingual speaker and passionate about international diplomacy, Garcia recently concluded his term as Undersecretary General of International Coordination with Arizona Model United Nations. There, he served as an international liaison, forged new partnerships and expanded opportunities for students in the Arizona-Mexico region. He previously served as the Presidential Chief of Staff for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA). 

Upon confirmation by the Arizona Senate, Garcia will serve a two-year term as a student regent, with the first year served as a non-voting member. The board consists of 12 members, 11 voting and one non-voting, including the governor and superintendent of public instruction as ex-officio members. While ex-officio and student regents serve limited terms, other regents hold eight-year appointments.

Student Regent David Zaragoza will conclude his term on June 30, and entering the second year of her term, Regent Jadyn Fisher will serve as the voting student regent on the board.