The First Things First state Board recently welcomed its newest member, Dr. Christian Osme\u00f1a.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Osme\u00f1a\u2019s background spans the fields of education, public administration and political science; I know he will be a tremendous asset to the Board,\u201d FTF Board Chair Gerald Szostak said.<\/p>\n
Osme\u00f1a currently serves as vice president for enterprise planning at Arizona State University, where he leads financial planning and analysis to support the long-term growth of the ASU Enterprise. He is also a professor of practice in the School of Public Affairs in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.<\/p>\n
Before joining ASU, Osme\u00f1a served for more than a decade as a leader in California state government, including posts as vice chancellor for the California Community Colleges; budget analyst in both K-12 and higher education; and legislative analyst. He also served as the assistant to the chief of staff in the California Office of the Governor.<\/p>\n
Although relatively new to Arizona, Osme\u00f1a is no stranger to the crucial role early education plays in children\u2019s lifelong success.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve been long interested in the role of education at all levels in creating the conditions for families to achieve upward economic mobility,\u201d Osme\u00f1a said. \u201cPublic programs focused on early childhood support families’ needs, and we know how important they are to the children they serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we think about school and college outcomes, we know that early childhood educational\u00a0experiences are an important\u00a0determinant of their future success,\u201d he continued. \u201cI hope I can contribute to advancing early childhood in Arizona.\u201d<\/p>\n