Board extends appreciation to Regent Karrin Taylor Robson for her service on the board following her resignation announcement

Arizona Board of Regents Chair Lyndel Manson, on behalf of the board, today extended appreciation to Regent Karrin Taylor Robson for her service on the board. Regent Taylor Robson, who recently made official her intent to run for governor of Arizona, submitted her resignation to Governor Ducey in order to meet the demands of running a state-wide campaign.

“I appreciate Regent Taylor Robson’s time on the board where she proved to be a champion of public higher education and student success. Her passion and dedication to free speech and civil discourse brought about the signature Regents’ Cup event, a debate competition in which students compete and earn scholarships to support their education. Her contribution to the redesign of general education curriculum to prepare students to learn skills such as critical thinking and become engaged citizens is invaluable. Without doubt, Regent Taylor Robson’s contributions will positively impact future generations of students,” said Chair Manson.

Showcasing Arizona public universities’ commitment to freedom of speech, Ms. Taylor Robson conceptualized the Regents’ Cup that convenes students from all of the universities for spirited debate rounds where competitors respectfully disagree with their opponents. Students compete for scholarships to fund their education and judges for the event include legislators, sitting judges, faculty members, regents and community leaders.

With a background in business, law, land use and development, Ms. Taylor Robson was uniquely positioned to serve as a regent and as chair of the board’s Business, Finance and Capital Resources Committee. During her time as committee chair, the enterprise accomplished many milestones including initiating development of a university property inventory database; reviewing real estate policy overseeing capital development, property ownership and leasing of property; considering and
recommending coaching contracts to the full board for approval; and reviewing in-depth presidents’ tuition proposals.

Governor Doug Ducey appointed Ms. Taylor Robson to the board in June of 2017 and reappointed her to a full term in 2020. In addition to serving as chair of the Finance, Capital and Resources Committee, she was secretary of the board and a member of the Audit Committee, and Academic Affairs and Educational Attainment Committee.