LuAnn Leonard, a member of the Hopi Tribe, said she is making history as the first Native American on the Arizona Board of Regents.

Leonard was nominated earlier this year by Gov. Janet Napolitano (D). She said it was important to represent Indian Country and rural parts of the state.

“When I got the call from the governor’s office … I knew that if I didn’t try and say yes to going forward with the nomination that we might miss an opportunity for Native Americans,” Leonard told The ASU Web Devil.

Peterson Zah, a former president of the Navajo Nation, said he hopes Leonard's presence will encourage Arizona's public universities to do more to retain Native students.

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Law school honors first Native American regent (The ASU Web Devil 12/4)

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