Regents consider dean for new chief of ASU Phoenix campus

The state Board of Regents is considering a new leader for a powerful post within Arizona State University's downtown Phoenix campus.

Debra Friedman, 52, dean of the College of Public Programs, is considered as the choice to replace Mernoy Harrison.

The regents could vote on the change as early as March.

If the board approves the change, Friedman will become the vice president of the campus and an influential figure in downtown Phoenix development.

ASU's downtown campus, bankrolled by $220 million from taxpayers, is a critical anchor for the revitalization of Phoenix's core.

Friedman would help guide the 2-year-old campus through an important growth spurt.

Nearly 3,400 students take classes on the campus now, but ASU wants that number to reach 15,000 students by 2015.

Harrison, 60, who helped build the campus that opened in August 2006, will remain a university vice president and will build ASU's continuing education and online programs, according to university officials.