The AZ Opportunity Podcast, a production of the Arizona Board of Regents. The AZ Opportunity Podcast is the official source for the highlights and higher education headlines from Arizona’s public university system. Whether you're a student, faculty member, policymaker or simply passionate about higher education, this podcast will bring you the latest news, activities and updates on higher education in the state of Arizona.
Tune in for conversations with university leaders, business and community partners, insights into academic innovation and the news stories that are shaping the future of higher education in Arizona. Stay informed, stay inspired and follow along by subscribing today and by visiting azregents.edu and azopportunity.com.
Student Regent Felipe Garcia on Why Essential Needs Matter
Student Regent Felipe Garcia discusses the 2026 Student Essential Needs Report, revealing how addressing student challenges strengthens Arizona's workforce and degree completion.
10 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT
Meet the Newest Student Regent Aydin-Kane Vo
Host interviews Aydin-Kane Vo, the newest Student Regent, about his journey, higher education perspectives, and key issues impacting Arizona students.
22 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Where Every Dollar Goes: Rethinking Procurement in Arizona
Craig Sullivan, Brandon Nee, Dr. Akheil Singla, and Mariah Lindberg discuss improving Arizona's local government procurement for efficiency and savings in this interview.
15 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Regent Gregg Brewster on impact, opportunity and life after college
Regent Gregg Brewster discusses how Arizona's public universities prepare the workforce, drive innovation, and shape lives after college in this interview.
14 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
Regent Jessica Pacheco on Innovation, Talent and the Future of Arizona’s Public Universities
The AZ Opportunity Podcast is a production of the Arizona Board of Regents and a helpful source for the latest news, activities and updates on how Arizona’s public universities are preparing tomorrow's workforce, advancing innovation and research, expanding access to education, and driving Arizona's economy.In today’s episode, we’re joined by Regent Jessica Pacheco, a leading voice on workforce development, innovation and the long-term success of Arizona’s public universities.We talk with Regent Pacheco about the innovation ecosystems taking shape at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona; how the universities are preparing talent for Arizona’s evolving economy; and the role athletics play as a front porch for our campuses and the state.Stay informed, inspired, and connected to the future of Arizona’s public universities by visiting azregents.edu and AZOpportunity.com.
18 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT
AZ Opportunity News Digest - December Edition
The AZ Opportunity Podcast is a production of the Arizona Board of Regents and a helpful source for the latest news, activities and updates on how Arizona’s public universities are preparing tomorrow's workforce, advancing innovation and research, expanding access to education and driving Arizona's economy.In this news digest, we cover: * The board's partnership with the Arizona Department of Agriculture to launch the Arizona Hub for Agriculture Innovation (https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/abor-approves-regents-research-grant-power-sustainable-agriculture-arizona).* A new Regents' Grant supporting dual-use technologies (https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/regents-grants-fuel-innovation-dual-use-technology).* The launch of the College Ready AZ FAFSA Scholarship (https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/arizona-board-regents-launches-college-ready-az-fafsa-scholarship).* A ticket incentive with the Valley Suns (https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/abor-and-valley-suns-team-boost-fafsa-completion) for FAFSA completion.* An update on the board's civic knowledge general education assessment (https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/arizona-leads-nationally-general-education-reform-civic-knowledge-assessment).* ASU's partnership with the Department of Energy (https://news.asu.edu/20251209-science-and-technology-us-department-energy-selects-asu-and-dcx-pioneer-new-ways-power).* An NAU student's selection (https://news.nau.edu/martinez-grfp/) for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.* U of A's partnership with Onvida Health (https://news.arizona.edu/news/u-college-medicine-phoenix-and-onvida-health-announce-groundbreaking-rural-health-partnership) to launch AZ's first rural medical school.Stay informed, inspired and connected to the future of Arizona’s public universities by visiting azregents.edu (https://www.azregents.edu/) and azopportunity.com (https://azopportunity.com/).
31 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT
A Decade of Impact: U of A and Banner Health transform health care in Arizona
The AZ Opportunity Podcast is a production of the Arizona Board of Regents and a helpful source for the latest news, activities and updates on how Arizona’s public universities are preparing tomorrow's workforce, advancing innovation and research, expanding access to education, and driving Arizona's economy.In this special episode Regent Gregg Brewster hosts a conversation with Provost Patricia Prelock of the University of Arizona and Dr. Ben Schwartz, president of academic delivery at Banner Health, to reflect on a decade of collaboration between the two organizations. The episode highlights milestone achievements, personal stories of impact and a forward-looking vision for addressing the evolving needs of Arizona’s health care system. It offers insights for policymakers, educators, health professionals and community members invested in building a healthier, more resilient Arizona.Key topics discussed include: * Expanded access to quality patient care across Arizona.* Advanced academic medicine through hands-on clinical training and one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs.* Accelerated medical research and innovation, leading to critical breakthroughs.* Strengthened the health care workforce, with a focus on primary care and rural communities through the AZ Opportunity initiative.For more details and to read the full economic impact report executive summary, visit https://www.azregents.edu/sites/default/files/2025-10/Banner-U-of-A-one-pager-2025.pdf. For videos and b-roll from the convening, visit: https://azregents.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/ABORPublic/EpVgOCisRtRFoijfnShA1PQBpJAZlclDCuJNrPD_9caKyA?e=hxAoa2 For more information on the Banner Health – U of A partnership visit: https://www.bannerhealth.com/celebrating-10-years-of-partnership Stay informed, inspired and connected to the future of Arizona’s public universities by visiting azregents.edu and AZOpportunity.com.
28 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT
AZ Opportunity News Digest - 8.28.25
The AZ Opportunity Podcast is a production of the Arizona Board of Regents and a helpful source for the latest news, activities and updates on how Arizona’s public universities are preparing tomorrow's workforce, advancing innovation and research, expanding access to education, and driving Arizona's economy.In this news digest, we cover:* Arizona Board of Regents Committee on Free Expression reviewed a draft of its 2025 Free Expression Annual Report (https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/abor-report-showcases-national-leadership-campus-free-speech).* The latest on the Arizona Tri-University Recharge and Water Reliability Project (https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/arizonas-public-universities-unite-safeguard-states-groundwater) including the research team’s updates from the 2025 Summer Newsletter (https://ccass.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2025-07/ATUR-Summer-2025-Newsletter-FINAL.pdf).* Highlights from ABOR’s latest Future of Arizona series convening at the Biosphere 2 (https://azregents-my.sharepoint.com/personal/nicholas_opich_azregents_edu/Documents/ABOR%20convenes%20statewide%20leaders%20to%20shape%20wildfire%20resilience%20strategy), focusing on wildfire resiliency.* The board’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Education to lead national beta testing (https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/abor-partners-us-department-education-lead-national-fafsa-beta-testing-initiative) for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and ticket incentive partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks.* Back to school campus resources from ASU, NAU and the U of Ahttps://housing.arizona.edu/move-in (https://housing.arizona.edu/move-in)https://housing.asu.edu/move-in (https://housing.asu.edu/move-in) https://nau.edu/flagstaff-campus/campus-living/ (https://nau.edu/flagstaff-campus/campus-living/)University spotlights include:* A team of international scientists led by ASU has discovered 13 fossilized teeth (https://news.asu.edu/20250813-science-and-technology-asu-scientists-uncover-new-fossils-and-new-species-ancient-human) in northeastern Ethiopia that date back between 2.6 and 2.8 million years. * Governor Katie Hobbs recent visit to NAU (https://news.nau.edu/hobbs-visit-healthcare-shortage/) as part of her statewide Arizona Promise Tour, spotlighting efforts to fill critical healthcare gaps in the state, especially in rural and underserved communities.* U of A has set a new record for innovation (https://news.arizona.edu/news/u-again-breaks-record-impactful-inventions) in fiscal year 2025, reporting 324 invention disclosures Stay informed, inspired and connected to the future of Arizona’s public universities by visiting azregents.edu (https://www.azregents.edu/) and azopportunity.com (https://azopportunity.com/).
15 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
Regents' Grant Spotlight: Reducing Cancer Risk for Arizona Firefighters
Welcome back to another episode of the AZ Opportunity Podcast, a production of the Arizona Board of Regents — bringing you the highlights and higher education headlines from across Arizona’s public university system.In this episode, we spotlight a groundbreaking Regents’ Research Grant that’s tackling a critical issue facing Arizona’s firefighters: exposure to toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. Regents' Grants are a board-led grant initiative that brings together Arizona's public university researchers, state government agencies and community organizations to tackle pressing challenges facing our state.Join us as we explore how a powerful collaboration between ABOR, the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association is working to reduce cancer risk among first responders. The study investigates whether simple lifestyle changes, and even blood and plasma donations, can help reverse the damage caused by PFAS exposure.You’ll hear from Dr. Jeff Burgess of the U of A as he shares early findings and insights from the research conducted in collaboration with Dr. Floris Wardenaar of ASU. Plus, members of the Goodyear Fire Department join the conversation to talk about their own experiences with cancer in the line of duty and their leadership in bringing this study to life for their community.Additional resources for those interested in learning more:* Background on the firefighters Regents’ Research Grant: https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/new-abor-regents-research-grant-seeks-reduce-cancer-risk-arizonas-firefighters (https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/new-abor-regents-research-grant-seeks-reduce-cancer-risk-arizonas-firefighters) * Presentation of the preliminary results of the study at ABOR’s June board meeting: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/md471htaqqpj7blysbbr6/AAyqKySN-87VfNqRGHU5lKY?dl=0&e=3&rlkey=7ywn73asa30m4wri4qvmdz03q&st=o1wkcra8 (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/md471htaqqpj7blysbbr6/AAyqKySN-87VfNqRGHU5lKY?dl=0&e=3&rlkey=7ywn73asa30m4wri4qvmdz03q&st=o1wkcra8) * Bio on Dr. Jeff Burgess: https://publichealth.arizona.edu/directory/jeff-burgess (https://publichealth.arizona.edu/directory/jeff-burgess) * More information on the Regents’ Grant program: https://www.azregents.edu/regents-grants (https://www.azregents.edu/regents-grants) Stay informed, inspired and connected to the future of Arizona’s public universities by visiting azregents.edu (https://www.azregents.edu/) and learn more about ABOR’s AZ Opportunity mission by visiting azopportunity.com (https://azopportunity.com/).
1 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
AZ Opportunity News Digest - 7.1.25
The AZ Opportunity Podcast, a production of the Arizona Board of Regents — bringing you the highlights and higher education headlines from across Arizona’s public university system. In this news digest, we cover:* The Arizona Senate’s unanimous confirmation of Regent Lee Stein.* Arizona’s selection for a national initiative supporting postsecondary education for justice-impacted students.* Highlights from the Future of Arizona series in Yuma, focusing on sustainable agriculture and research collaboration.* A new Regents’ Grant-funded partnership with ADOT to improve safety for inexperienced drivers.* University spotlights include:ASU was ranked fourth among public universities in the U.S. for developing the next generation of digital and AI-ready leaders.NAU’s new online certificate in Election Administration.U of A’s accelerated three-year MD pathways to address the state’s physician shortage.Stay informed, inspired and connected to the future of Arizona’s public universities by visiting azregents.edu and azopportunity.com.
1 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
AZ Opportunity Trailer
Welcome to the AZ Opportunity Podcast, a production of the Arizona Board of Regents. The AZ Opportunity Podcast is the official source for the latest news, activities and updates on how Arizona’s public universities are preparing tomorrow\'s workforce, advancing innovation and research, expanding access to education, and driving Arizona\'s economy.AZ Opportunity is the board’s long-range vision and is rooted in the principle that public higher education remains the best investment an individual student – or state – can make in our shared future. Whether you\'re a student, faculty member, policymaker, business leader or simply someone in the community passionate about higher education, this podcast channel will bring you on in the news you want to know about higher education in the state of Arizona.Tune in for conversations with university leaders from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona; business and community partners from across Arizona and the nation; learn about insights into academic innovation and stay up to date on the news stories that are shaping Arizona’s public university system.So stay inspired and subscribe to the AZ Opportunity Podcast today through whatever platform you use to listen to podcasts and make sure you check out azregents.edu and azopportunity.com to follow along.
Inside a recent episode
Student Regent Felipe Garcia on Why Essential Needs Matter
Published 21 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And so ensuring that each of those needs are taken care of is important as well. But I think the big one as well, and even from a university perspective, is that essential needs does belong within the conversation of student success. It's not something that is a part, but it should be a part of that. And really, because it's something that can impact the trajectory of not just a student's degree, but the trajectory of a student's life. And so that, I think, is a really important thing. Now, we've looked at what was the genesis of this work, and we've talked about what are some of the findings and recommendations that the report has made. […]
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