Klein told the Badger Herald this week that she looks forward “to being a part of (UW’s) wonderful legacy of providing students with a top-notch education.”

Klein said her focus will be on educating students and making sure they get a “cost-effective value” for their tuition dollars.

To do that, it’s important to retain talented faculty so UW-Madison remains a top-tier research university and to continue monitoring the financial health across the university system, because the schools took a hit with the budget, she said.

“I have a lifelong love of learning, so I think the first thing you do is you have to learn about the system, and all of the different aspects and the needs of different students on different campuses,” Klein said.

Klein is one of three new regents whose appointments Walker announced last week to replace regents whose terms are expiring. Their appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate. If all take their seats, as expected, Walker will have appointed all but three members of the 18-member board.