For the University of Washington (UW), Ana Mari Cauce is the first woman, the first Latin, and the first openly gay person to become the school's president.

According to The Associated Press, the UW Board of Regents chose to turn Cauce's appointment as the interim president to a permanent post on Tuesday. Cauce took over the office for Michael Young in March.

"The Board of Regents is delighted to make this appointment," Bill Ayer, UW's board chair, said in a statement. "President Cauce has proven over the past seven months serving in an interim capacity to be an extraordinary leader. Her dedication to the UW is unparalleled. Her love for the University is evident in her strong work ethic and in her vision: improving student access and affordability, creating a leading-edge student experience, fostering greater innovation, and delivering global impact. Because of her intimate understanding of the University and all that it stands for and all that it aspires to be, she is also a passionate spokesperson and advocate. Ana Mari has an unmatched ability to connect with people - students, faculty and staff, as well as those outside the University - to listen and understand their perspectives, and take action as necessary."

UW spent $100,000 on a nationwide search before hiring Cauce, who began at the school as an assistant professor of psychology in 1986, The AP reported. Her appointment also comes the day before she was scheduled to deliver the school's state of the university address.

In 30 years at UW, Cauce taught at least one class every year and she does not plan to stop.

"I am grateful to the Board and to the search committee for the confidence they are placing in me to lead this amazing University," Cauce said in the statement. "We have assembled here one of the great faculties of any university on Earth, and we attract the most ambitious and remarkable students. They come here to study and learn. They transform their lives and, we hope, the lives of others. I am immensely proud of who we are as a University - one that is dedicated to access and excellence. These values are the hallmark of what it means to be a great public university, and I am thrilled at the prospect of how much more we can do for our students, for the state of Washington, and for people around the world whose lives we touch in some way."