SBS Board Q&A: Jason Baran
University of Arizona double alumnus Jason Baran, with a master’s in public administration and a bachelor’s in political science and German Studies, grew up in Mesa and is the director of state government affairs for the Salt River Project. While finishing graduate school, he worked as a management intern with the City of Tucson. That experience, combined with studies in the School of Government and Public Policy, shifted his focus from law to public policy — a path that shaped his career. He later led legislative and public policy engagement for the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association and managed state, federal, and business relations for the City of Tucson. Now in his third year on the SBS Advisory Board, Baran reflected that the college’s wide-ranging disciplines gave him the grounding to move across sectors and remain a collaborator between industry, business, and government.
What motivated you to join the SBS Advisory Board?
I enjoyed my time at the U of A, especially the political science department. After getting to know the dean and crew, it was a good opportunity to give back. I’d been a supporter for several years but wanted to stay better connected to the university and bring something unique to the advisory board.
How have decades of experience in energy, water, and public policy shaped your perspective as a board member?
My background in political science and graduate degree in public administration gave me a strong foundation for thinking through public policy issues — not by having all the answers, but by having a framework to address them. Public policy constantly shifts as new issues emerge, and the university equips students with tools to meet those challenges. The College of SBS exposes students to a wide range of disciplines, each offering unique perspectives for tackling issues. For industry, SBS offers a menu of resources to draw on at the right time for the right project. At our last board meeting, we discussed current federal policy issues, asked how they affect the U of A, and shared insights with stakeholders. It’s also a chance to tell the university’s story to our colleagues.
Did you always plan to work in public policy?
As a kid, I was a basketball fan. My crazy dream was to go to U of A, play basketball for Lute Olson, get my medical degree, and be a doctor. I obviously pivoted from all that. Later, I was in the graduate program and a management intern at the City of Tucson. During that time, I thought about becoming lawyer, but public policy is actually fun — I got the bug and never left. The answer is both yes and no. Many of us take a non-linear path into this work, and figuring out it’s not for you can be just as valuable as finding out it is.
What advice would you give incoming board members?
Our advisory board has some incredible individuals with a variety of expertise and experience, and you really can’t buy that kind of knowledge. I think the idea is to come to the university with an open mind, ask questions, and try to collaborate — to figure out how to best serve the university and the students within the mission.
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This story was included in the fall 2025 Developments newsletter.