Name: 05/20/2026 - Senate Education
Uploaded: 2026-05-20T00:00:00Z
Duration: 17 min 52 s
Description: Ready and equipped to provide essential support, I will ensure students remain at the forefront of every decision to drive successful educational operations across the state.

[0:00] What's going to be here is here so I'm going say that the Committee on Education is called

[0:04] to order.

[0:05] Will the Secretary please call the roll?

[0:10] Here.

[0:11] Senator Diaz.

[0:12] Here?

[0:13] Senator John.

[0:14] Here!

[0:15] Senator Messner.

[0:16] Senator Miranda.

[0:17] Present.

[0:19] For the last time, I'm here.

[0:22] Okay, with that objection, the minutes of March 25th,

[0:25] 2026 are approved as distributed.

[0:28] Today, we have two executive nominations,

[0:31] and we're gonna start with the Arizona Board of Regents,

[0:34] Mr. Aiden Kane Trung-Tin Vell.

[0:37] Would you like to come up?

[0:38] Oh, you've gotta do it, see?

[0:42] That hiatus made me forget.

[0:48] Madam Chair and members, the Arizona Board of Regents

[0:51] as a 12-member board constitutionally established

[0:53] as the governing entity for Arizona's public university

[0:56] system, which consists of Arizona State University,

[0:59] Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona.

[1:02] Mr. Aidan King-Trin Tienvo has been nominated to serve

[1:06] on ABOR as student regent.

[1:08] With that, I'm happy to answer any questions.

[1:10] Any questions for Kati?

[1:12] No one?

[1:13] Thank you.

[1:15] Now, Mr Voe.

[1:22] Hello, thank you, so why don't you tell us who you are and why you want this position and then we'll see if there are any questions

[1:30] Of course, yep

[1:31] Thank you. Good afternoon chair Angus and members of the committee

[1:34] Thank You very much for your time and for having me here today

[1:36] It is an honor to stand before you as governor Hobbs is nominee to serve as a student region on the Arizona Board of Regents

[1:43] My name is Aidan Kane-Voe. I grew up right here in Phoenix over in Goodyear, Arizona, and I'm a proud son devil

[1:49] attending Arizona State University

[1:52] I recently earned my bachelor's and master's degrees in biomedical engineering from ASU

[1:57] and I'm pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering working as a full-time graduate researcher this

[2:02] summer. My research focuses on developing things like biomechanical sensors, orthopedic implants,

[2:11] During my time at ASU, I've served as a teaching assistant for 12 engineering courses as an elected student government representative and as peer mentor to students seeking post graduation opportunities such as industry careers or continuing their graduate education.

[2:27] In addition to academia at asu, i also conduct research at the core institutes musculoskeletal orthopedic research and education foundation, which is a 501c3 nonprofit research organization in dear valley.

[2:40] At the Moore Foundation, I help patients with osteoarthritis regain pain-free mobility

[2:45] after undergoing total knee replacement surgery, and I also three-print customizable prosthetic

[2:50] limbs for pediatric amputees. Joining me today are my friends, family,

[2:56] and colleagues, including my father, Terrence, who is here in the room. They are

[2:59] my biggest inspiration to contribute to higher education,

[3:06] public education in Arizona had an astounding impact on my life and I wish to give back

[3:11] by serving as a resource and voice to students. I am committed to ensuring the highest quality

[3:16] education for every student who calls Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University

[3:21] and the University of Arizona at their home and with that I'm open to any questions.

[3:24] Well thank you very much. Are there any

[3:26] questions for Mr. Vo? Madam Chair. Senator Diaz, thank

[3:29] you. Mr Vo, congratulations on recently completing your master's degree.

[3:35] Very impressive. How can you how do you think your degrees in engineering can help shape your role as a student region?

[3:44] Chair Angus senator Diaz. Thank you very much for your question. I believe that my background in Engineering

[3:51] gives me a lens of problem solving that I think I can bring

[3:55] to the board and making data-driven decisions.

[3:59] And I that maybe able to bring kind of a new different

[4:03] perspective as well as being a graduate student as

[4:05] well.

[4:06] I thank those perspectives or things I could bring to

[4:08] the Board.

[4:09] Thank you.

[4:10] Okay.

[4:11] Anyone else?

[4:12] Senator Dunne?

[4:13] Thank You Madam Chair.

[4:15] Thank for being here.

[4:21] all three universities. I am a Wildcat, so I have full disclosure, but I really

[4:28] appreciate it. Driving down into some of the things like you're as a student and

[4:32] looking at the interaction between a board and and the student, and

[4:36] the cost of tuition and those kind of things. Can you just kind

[4:38] of use your experience and what you are seeing as far as student accessibility

[4:41] for being on campus and in the costs of being able to attend the ASU and other

[4:46] Of course, Chair Angus, Senator Dunne, thank you very much for your question.

[4:51] So from the student perspective, tuition and cost of attendance is a big concern for students.

[4:58] from kind of my experience.

[5:00] Tuition is a lot of money for family and students.

[5:04] I was fortunate enough to go to ASU

[5:07] with the support of scholarship.

[5:10] And I appreciated that when I attended,

[5:14] my tuition was fixed at enrollment, right?

[5:16] And so things like that helped me and my family

[5:18] plan ahead of time.

[5:20] And those are things as well as cost transparency.

[5:23] Those are the things that I would

[5:27] directly with students to try to maintain and improve upon.

[5:30] Because at the end of the day, we as students want the support to finish our degrees,

[5:35] fulfill our goals, and ultimately give back to our families and the communities.

[5:40] All right, I'm sure.

[5:42] I can wait for her, though.

[5:46] All all right.

[5:49] So, a couple of other questions that if you may.

[5:51] So if you had like your top two or three things, I know you know, you'd be part of the ABOR as you're looking at these things and

[5:56] preventing a student perspective, but some of things you think that ABORS could help the three universities,

[6:01] you kind of like research and looking as like what are the things that you

[6:04] think we should, and even from a legislative perspective. What do you

[6:08] think the thing that's you like to help change as a

[6:10] student is part

[6:11] of ABORE?

[6:12] Of course, Chair Angus, Senator Dunne, thank you very much for your question.

[6:16] One of the things that I really wanted to work on and something that, I think the universities

[6:20] are starting as well, is to expand STEM research and healthcare professional education across

[6:27] the state to kind of meet those needs for the State of Arizona.

[6:32] So students that want to pursue a career in healthcare education, those are invaluable

[6:41] these loved ones, and the general public.

[6:45] So that's one thing.

[6:46] Another thing that I wanted to help expand upon,

[6:50] that, I think, Abor has started already to,

[6:52] is a mental health initiative for students.

[6:56] Mental health is predominant.

[6:59] consideration in universities especially at our age as university students, so making

[7:07] those resource more accessible and counseling services and those resources more known to

[7:15] the student body I think is something I want to prioritize.

[7:20] All right, thank you Madam Chair, great answer.

[7:23] So as you look at, I'm from rural Arizona, from Yuma.

[7:27] As you'll look the footprints that we have

[7:30] and the things we can do, and I am a big advocate

[7:32] for trying to help the three universities

[7:33] expand their rural campuses, whether it's of ASU

[7:37] and down to Yumma, you have all these opportunities.

[7:42] And then you the U of A has a land grant college,

[7:45] it has services out in all 15 counties.

[7:49] Do you think any thoughts on...

[7:51] on how you can help and right now maybe my challenge to you

[7:55] is just to make sure that you look at that

[7:57] and see how we can collectively work together

[7:59] to help that educational opportunities,

[8:01] not only just at the main campuses,

[8:03] but throughout Arizona.

[8:04] And then I really intrigued with your wearables

[8:07] and that kind of stuff and then how,

[8:08] because with the vulnerable adult space that we work in,

[8:11] the things in the healthcare space,

[8:12] also how he can tie some of the stuff back to agriculture

[8:15] and opportunities you have that

[8:17] we could help connect you with

[8:20] a corporate extension in and down and you know, but I just plant that seed that there's a lot of opportunities for all three

[8:25] Universities and the rural landscape and

[8:28] Any thoughts on that but it just I would look forward to working with you on

[8:31] Yeah, of course chair Angus senator done. Thank you very much for your question

[8:34] And I appreciate all of your knowledge and feedback. I'm excited to work together as well. Um, I think that

[8:42] something that I

[8:44] Think would be a good idea is

[8:47] not only just expanding educational resources and opportunities for rural parts of Arizona

[8:52] where students may have limited access, but also maybe encouraging them to educate others

[9:00] in when they go back to those areas, educating others that they can have even more educational

[9:04] opportunities.

[9:05] So we're creating kind of a positive ripple across the state and allowing everyone to

[9:11] have those opportunities

[9:17] Thank you Madam Chair, and congratulations

[9:19] with all your accomplishments.

[9:21] Very impressive.

[9:22] Thank-you.

[9:23] I just need clarification.

[9:25] You mentioned total knee replacement,

[9:26] and then I lost what you meant.

[9:29] And it caught my attention, because I had total

[9:30] knee-replacement.

[9:33] And what did you say about that?

[9:35] Chair Angus, Senator Miranda, thank you for your question.

[9:39] I work at the Core Institute, so it's an orthopedic practice.

[9:42] They have a bunch of them in the Phoenix area, but

[9:45] the one that I worked at is in Deer Valley, North Phoenix.

[9:48] And what we do is we take in patients and study there.

[9:54] me, and also hip kinematics, so basically applying physics to anatomy, to better understand

[10:02] how we can help them walk pain-free and, also, with better mobility, giving them the ability

[10:09] to walk and introduce motion back into their life.

[10:14] Okay, great.

[10:15] So, Madam Chair, I'll have to talk to you more about that.

[10:22] I'm looking forward to having more conversations with you on that.

[10:25] Of course.

[10:26] Let's see, in your application, you said that you understand the essential role that public

[10:32] universities play in the state's economy and workforce.

[10:36] Can you tell us a little bit more about that?

[10:39] Of Course, Chair Angus, Senator Miranda, thank you for your question.

[10:43] So my experience working as a teaching assistant and a mentor to students, I learned a lot

[10:51] goals and what students ultimately want to get out of university, right? A lot of them want

[10:55] to finish their degrees and ultimately go into the workforce, get their dream career, and then

[11:02] whether that's in engineering or in public health or other sectors. So the universities, I believe,

[11:10] play a crucial role in supporting students, develop those skills that make them successful

[11:20] As universities, we should work towards refining that process so that our students come out.

[11:26] They're ready for the jobs, they're prepared for jobs and we can, that gives us a boost in the state economy and workforce.

[11:32] Okay, thank you.

[11:35] Yes, Senator Bravo.

[11:36] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[11:38] We met my office briefly, but we often see student board of regions that are still pursuing their undergraduate degree.

[11:45] Congratulations on graduating with your Master's and now you're pursuing your doctorate.

[11:50] How do you think that your graduate student experience will help in your role on the Board

[11:54] of Regents?

[11:55] Of course, Chair Angus, Senator Bravo, thank you for your question.

[11:59] I believe that, first and foremost, since I've completed a four-year undergraduate degree,

[12:04] I think I'm well equipped to have those conversations with students that are in that degree seeking program.

[12:11] All of the areas where they have to navigate that.

[12:13] But uniquely being in the graduate program now, or a graduate

[12:17] program, I can speak to the.

[12:21] the population of students that are pursuing graduate research

[12:25] and seeking roles in academia so that

[12:29] that whole realm of graduate education I think

[12:33] I've had some exposure to now and can work with students.

[12:37] Thank you. Okay, anyone else?

[12:41] Mr. Vo, I really enjoyed getting to know you when you came to my office last week

[12:45] and Mr Vo the father, you're the

[12:50] He told me what an impact and influence you've been in his life, and I think he must be very, very proud.

[12:57] And with that, Madam Vice Chair.

[13:00] I'm here at the Senate Education Committee, recommend to the full Senate the confirmation of Aidan Kane Trung-Tin-Voe to

[13:06] the Arizona Board of Regents.

[13:07] Will the Secretary please call the roll.

[13:08] Senator Bravo.

[13:11] Aye.

[13:11] Senator Diaz.

[13:12] Ayes.

[13:13] Senator Don.

[13:14] Aight.

[13:15] Senator Messonard.

[13:17] Senator Alanda.

[13:18] Aaye.

[13:18] Senator Warner?

[13:19] Aye.

[13:20] Senator Haynes.

[13:21] Ayes.

[13:22] 6 ayes 0, and aye is 1,000.

[13:24] By your vote of 6, ais, 0 and the aes, 1 not voting, you have recommended to the full Senate the confirmation of Aidan Kane, Trung, Tin, Vote to Arizona Board of Regents.

[13:35] Congratulations.

[13:36] Thank you very much, Chair Angus and The Committee.

[13:38] Appreciate it.

[13:40] All right, next up, we have the State Board for private post-secondary education.

[13:53] Madam Chair and members, the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education

[13:58] is a seven-member board established to license and regulate private post-secondary institutions

[14:03] that offer vocational or degree-granting programs.

[14:06] Additionally, The Board administers the Student Tuition Recovery Fund to compensate students

[14:10] who are monetarily damaged by a private, postsecondary institution's closure.

[14:15] Andreas Snow has been nominated to serve on the board as a member who is an executive

[14:23] With that, I'm happy to answer any questions.

[14:25] Any questions?

[14:27] Thank you.

[14:28] Ms. Snow, you're up.

[14:37] Chair Angus, members of the Senate Committee on Education,

[14:40] good afternoon.

[14:41] My name is Andrea Marisotas Snow

[14:44] and I am here today as an executive nominee

[14:47] for the Arizona State Board

[14:48] for Private Post-Secondary Education.

[14:51] I currently serve as Chief Legal and Government Affairs Officer at Pima Medical Institute,

[14:56] an employee-owned post-secondary education provider based here in Arizona for over 50 years

[15:02] where we offer educational opportunities in allied health and animal sciences programming.

[15:08] My deep understanding of AZ-PPSC's regulatory framework allows me to balance institutional growth with strict compliance.

[15:16] Ensuring schools meet all licensing and financial obligations while also ensuring meaningful protections for students.

[15:23] As a licensed attorney, I understand the legal and regulatory landscape of post-secondary education.

[15:30] Leveraging my background, I will be a resource to guide the board through complex application reviews,

[15:35] complaint investigations, and evolving legislative changes to mitigate risk and safeguard student interests.

[15:42] Furthermore, my collaborative approach fosters vital partnerships with government agencies

[15:48] to protect students' welfare and promote operational excellence across Arizona's educational landscape.

[15:54] As a servant leader and recognized subject matter expert in private post-secondary education,

[15:59] I am dedicated to leveraging my expertise to benefit the state of Arizona.

[16:04] I'm committed to fostering a strong regulatory body that prioritizes student protections,

[16:09] while addressing critical workforce needs through strategic reskilling and upskilling.

[16:15] Ready and equipped to provide essential support, I will ensure students remain at the forefront of every decision to drive successful educational operations across the state.

[16:25] Thank you.

[16:26] Thank very much.

[16:27] Any questions from Ms. Snow?

[16:31] Nobody?

[16:32] Okay.

[16:33] I move that the Senate Education Committee recommend to the full Senate the confirmation of Andrew Snow to

[16:38] the State Board of Private Post-Secondary Education.

[16:42] Will the secretary please call the roll?

[16:45] I

[16:49] Madam chair, yes, I just want to say something

[16:52] No,

[16:53] I want say we would take citizens to step up and do these kind of things that serve on these different boards and things and

[16:58] Advisory and using your your expertise. We appreciate that from a state level and thank you for serving and I go die

[17:13] By your vote of six ayes, zero nays, and one not voting.

[17:17] You have recommended to the full Senate the confirmation of Andrea Snow to

[17:20] the State Board for private post-secondary education.

[17:23] Congratulations.

[17:24] Thank you.

[17:26] All right, before we adjourn, I just want to take a minute again to thank staff and

[17:31] everyone, thank you for all for coming.

[17:32] And I want wish Senator Diaz a very happy birthday, 29, right?

[17:37] Yay.

[17:38] And I'm going to ask if you can just stick around the members to stick

[17:41] around for a minute or so.

[17:42] We want to take some pictures with staff, okay?

[17:47] So having no further business before the body,

[17:50] the Senate Education Committee is adjourned.

05/20/2026 - Senate Education

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