A member of the Arizona Board of Regents was selected to sit on a national higher education board and will have the opportunity to strengthen leadership at universities around the nation.

Regent Jack Jewett, a UA alumnus and Tucson resident, was chosen to serve on the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges' board of directors, making him the first Arizona regent to sit on the board.

"I've been interested in higher education since I was a student, and during the course of my service I've recognized that it is key to a better society and better work force," said Jewett, who is senior vice president of public policy at Tucson Medical Center.

AGB is a nonprofit association located in Washington, D.C., which aims to provide higher education institutes with resources needed to enhance their effectiveness.

Locally and nationally, the new challenge facing most public institutions will be to deal with resource issues, since the public sector is providing less support to universities, Jewett said.

As part of the AGB board, Jewett will have the chance to strengthen governance for more than 1,800 universities nationwide, making sure dollars are allocated and spent efficiently.

Jewett, who called higher education a solid investment, attributed much of his success to his experiences at the UA.

"I think - not just for me but for everyone - earning a baccalaureate degree provides those critical thinking skills really fundamental to success," Jewett said.

While at the UA in the 1960s, Jewett received a bachelor of arts in sociology, launched a private business and participated in a fraternity, all during "a time when the Vietnam conflict was foremost in our minds," Jewett said.

Jewett said he wants to sit on the intercollegiate athletics committee on AGB because he was involved in Greek Life sports in college and has a comprehension of NCAA athletics from his regent experience.

Appointed to the board of regents in 1998, Jewett served as board president from July 2002 to June 2003.

When Jewett was president, the regents implemented the Changing Directions initiative, which allowed the three state universities to pursue strategically different missions rather than aiming for the same goals.

In March 2004, AGB awarded Jewett the Distinguished Service Award in Trusteeship for his leadership during a fundamental time in Arizona higher education, said Joel Sideman, executive director for the board of regents.

"The consensus that developed within the board and the speed (at) which major change was accomplished is a testament to Jack's leadership abilities," said Sideman in an e-mail.

However, Jewett's job was difficult because convincing the regents to see eye to eye on Changing Directions was like trying to control a heard of cats, said Regent Robert Bulla, referring to the regents' distinct backgrounds and diverse objectives.

Regent Fred Boice said Jewett's leadership skills, such as getting regents to talk through complex issues, being a good listener and showing regents the logic of the proposal, helped launch Changing Directions.

Jewett, who is no stranger to leadership positions, served in the Arizona House of Representatives for 10 years (1983-92), and was elected Republican majority whip in 1990, which is an assistant to the majority leader.

In addition, Jewett has sat on several boards, including the Tucson Health Care Council, United Way of Greater Tucson, Tucson 30, Junior Achievement and Community Transportation of Southern Arizona.

"I think the world of Jack - he was very welcoming," said Regent Ernest Calderon, who joined the regents last year.

Northern Arizona University Student Regent Wes McCalley said Jewett has been a good mentor and is receptive to student input, since the affect his decisions will have on students is one of his top concerns.

"I have always known him to seek input from many areas so that he is as informed as possible when it comes time to make a decision," McCalley said. "Regent Jewett is not afraid to ask the hard questions, challenge the norm or seek help from others."

Despite his serious demeanor, McCalley said Jewett also has a softer side.

"He is deeply concerned with the boilers and chillers used in our university facilities," McCalley joked.