Story by Aubrey Grasz
Photos courtesy of Timothy Schene
GCU News Bureau
Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee spoke at Grand Canyon University on Tuesday night about her career in public service, the importance of financial literacy and the value of attending a Christian university, saying, “It is a blessing to see the growth God has given the school.”
Her talk was hosted by the University's Young Americans for Freedom chapter.
Yee is the first Asian American elected to a statewide office in Arizona and is also the first Chinese American Republican woman to win a major statewide office in United States history. She served for eight years in the Arizona Legislature and has served for four years with the Arizona State Treasurer's Office.
Throughout her career in public service at the federal, state and local government levels, Yee said she has allowed Christ to guide her path.
“As God always does, He opens up doors for us at the right time,” Yee said, adding that her faith has kept her rooted, from the time she served as the Senate majority leader of the Arizona Legislature to being elected as treasurer.
She emphasized advancing financial literacy throughout the state, particularly the importance of saving and encouraged students “to be prepared and ready to manage their budgets.”
As the state's chief banking and investment officer, she safeguards about $15 billion in assets and manages Arizona's $40 billion state budget.
Before taking questions, Yee encouraged students to become involved with public service and reminded them that "the office of the state treasurer is your office.”
GCU student and YAF chapter president Jaron Tubbs said, "The goal for this event was to allow students to have a conversation with a state official. … and I think we succeeded at that.”
