The newest recruit to the WSU Board of Regents, Lisa Keohokalole Schauer, was appointed to the Research and Academic Affairs Committee on Nov. 1.

Schauer previously served in the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee at WSU Vancouver. She said the experience she gained in that position will be helpful in her new role as a regent, but it’s still a learning process.

“The more opportunities I have to learn about students and faculty, the more committed I am to champion for the university,” Schauer said.

The Board of Regents support and govern for WSU strategically, she said. Regents hold their position for six years per term with a two-term maximum.

Regents are chosen by Gov. Jay Inslee. He encouraged Schauer to apply for the position to represent the southwest region of Washington, she said.

Schauer is taking over the position from her predecessor, Ryan Durkan.

“[Durkan’s] term would have expired in 2020,” Schauer said. “I will serve for the remainder of this term. I would love [to have] the ability to continue serving for another two terms.”

She said she was excited to learn she got the position and wants to help students, foster open communication and allow for transparency.

“The first question I will always ask is, ‘How does this affect the students?’ ” she said. “We have to be able to explain why we made the choice we made and why it matters.”