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Doyle names new member of UW’s Board of Regents

Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday the newest appointment to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents.

José F. Vásquez, a resident of southeastern Wisconsin, was chosen by Doyle to fill the seat of Jesus Salas, who resigned from the board after Doyle did not provide in-state tuition for children of undocumented workers in his state budget.

Vásquez has been a tireless advocate for education in the state of Wisconsin and understands the issues confronting the UW System, Doyle said in a written statement Monday.

Vásquez has worked to provide high-quality early childhood education to urban children in Milwaukee. He is currently chief executive officer of the Felician Sponsored Ministries-Milwaukee and has previously worked for Next Door Foundation, organizations both aimed at providing education to community children.

Mary Kellner, President of the Next Door Foundation thinks Vásquez will be a good addition to the Board.

“I brought him in because he has great management skills and is a real likeable person; he’s an outstanding guy,” she said.

According to a statement released by the governor’s office, Vásquez has also worked within the UW System as a district director for the UW-Extension, supervising adult basic education programs at Waukesha County Technical College.

“He and I worked together at the UW-Extension,” said UW System spokesperson Dave Giroux. “He is a very nice man.”

Vásquez also currently serves on the Wisconsin Technical College Board. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas and his Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Vásquez’s appointment to the Board of Regents is effective through May 1, 2009.