Regents spotlight access, affordability and Arizona’s future in statewide education town hall

Higher education was a central theme at the Arizona Media Association’s and Arizona Local News Foundation’s new town hall, “Inside the Issues: Education Solutions in Arizona.” The event spotlighted Arizona’s public universities — Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona — and their role in shaping the state’s future success.

Regent Jessica Pacheco and Student Regent Jadyn Fisher represented the Arizona Board of Regents on the panel of education leaders providing voters with insights on the state’s education system, college opportunities and career readiness. The forum featured segments on early childhood development, K-12 education, post-secondary learning and Arizona’s changing demographics and economic growth. The event, produced in collaboration with Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission and RIESTER, was moderated by local journalists Steve Goldstein and Olivia Fierro.

Goldstein opened the “Education in a Changing State” segment asking about ABOR's bold vision for Arizona’s educational future. Pacheco pointed to the board’s AZ Opportunity initiative and stressed the need for workforce alignment and community collaboration. She also called for more flexible, personalized learning systems that allow students to build skills to meet future job demands.

“The world is at an inflection point with technology like AI. We don’t know the questions to ask yet, so our public universities need flexibility to adapt quickly. Our goal isn't just to educate students, but to prepare them for a world that's constantly evolving,” Pacheco said. “The board is taking a proactive role in driving this effort forward, setting a new standard through innovation and community engagement.”

Affordability was another key theme of the discussion, with panelists sharing about statewide efforts to make college more accessible. Fisher, a senior at NAU, discussed the barriers students often face when applying to college and her own experiences navigating the college preparation process.

She emphasized the board’s role in boosting Free Application for Federal Student Aid completion rates, a step that increases enrollment likelihood by 84% and unlocks millions in financial aid. She also highlighted the board’s college planning resource hub College Ready AZ, and its role in aiding students, families and educators throughout the application and FAFSA process.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about affordability. The board is doing so much to improve the higher education experience and show Arizona students there are options and possibilities,” Fisher said.

Other panelists praised the board’s leadership. Rich Nickel, president and CEO of Education Forward Arizona, affirmed the board’s pivotal role in expanding access for underserved groups.

“The board of regents really has taken a leadership position on how we further access, especially in working with some groups that maybe traditionally, we haven't thought about. I think that work is to be commended,” he said.

Maricopa County Community College District 2 Governing Board President Susan Bitter Smith mentioned seamless credit transfers and joint admissions as examples of successful collaboration amongst the state’s universities and community colleges.

“Anyone who walks out the door with an associate's degree is automatically accepted to any of Arizona’s universities.” Bitter Smith said.  

The town hall also showcased the board’s role in bridging education with workforce needs. Pacheco called on the business community to continue supporting these efforts, ensuring Arizona continues to lead in innovation and produces graduates ready for careers in high-demand fields.

Gina Roberts, voter education director for Clean Elections, closed the program celebrating the collective commitment to a strong state education system. She urged viewers to stay informed, involved and vote.  

“When communities engage,” Roberts said, “Arizona succeeds.”

Town hall segments are now available on the Arizona Media Association’s YouTube channel. Watch the full televised forum here. To learn more about the board’s new initiative, visit AZopportunity.com.