Robles was named as the director in a quick announcement during the office's civic-participation training on Saturday.

The 27-year-old was hired in March as the office's research analyst, but she has been serving as the interim director for months. As director, Robles oversees the state's four ethnic directors - Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander and black - and four staffers.

AnnaJane Arroyo, a former member of the state Hispanic Advisory Council, said she respects Robles because she knows the issues in the ethnic communities and has worked hard as a grass-roots advocate for minorities.

But, Arroyo said, she doesn't know how much support Robles will get from those state leaders above her or how much freedom she'll have to make changes that make a difference in the community.

"I think she'll do a good job, if she's allowed to do it," said Arroyo, who worked with Robles when they both sat on the council. "It's such a real political position that you don't know how tight her hands are going to be tied."

Gonzalo Palza, an advisory council member, said Robles is bright and a good leader, and he was not surprised she got the job. He said he just hopes she's able to re-evaluate and make changes to the office's new strategic plan because it does not reflect the communities' true needs.

For example, Palza said the plan ignores the issue of immigration and undocumented workers, especially in the Latino community. Latinos make up 11 percent of the state's population, according to U.S. Census 2004 estimates.

"Luz's effectiveness will depend on her ability to change from the state's vision for the office to the real responsibilities to the Latino community," Palza said.

Forrest Crawford, a Weber State University professor and community activist, said he's certain Robles will do what she can to make changes. He said she's an innovative and effective leader who knows how to get people to work together.

Crawford said Robles' biggest challenge will be working through all the politics among the ethnic communities and state and local governments.

"She has solid qualifications to be able to address complex problems," he said.

Yvette Donosso Diaz, executive director of the state's Department of Community and Culture, oversees the ethnic office and five other divisions. The search for an ethnic-office director, a newly created post, started in August and about 33 people applied. Of them, seven were interviewed, Diaz said. The salary range for the position is roughly $48,800 to $73,000, depending on experience.

Diaz said she hired Robles for the job because she knows how to work with people from all backgrounds, from government officials to community activists. Robles is also dedicated to the office's new vision to stop working as a social-services caseworker and create partnerships between state agencies to make sure minorities are being served adequately, Diaz said.

Diaz described Robles as knowledgeable, passionate and graceful.

"She knows the issues that affect our ethnic communities, and she can relate to them," Diaz said.

Diaz also said she was impressed with Robles' leadership in creating the Multicultural Health Network while she was a policy analyst with Utah Issues Center for Poverty Research and Action. The network is a coalition of people and groups to address health disparities in Utah.

Robles said she's excited about her new post, and she wants to make sure the office is successful in implementing its strategic plan.

"My goal is to make the office a more credible and respected entity in state government," Robles said.

She said she's interested in helping change state policy to better serve the ethnic communities, and, while she understands she'll have limitations, she feels she has Diaz's and the governor's support.

"I'm sure we're going to make changes that impact our community," Robles said.

jsanchez@sltrib.com

Luz Robles

Age: 27.

New job: Director of the state's Office of Ethnic Affairs.

Education: University of Utah, bachelor's degree in business marketing (2000) and master's degree in public administration (2004).

Previous job: Utah Issues Center for Poverty Research and Action, policy analyst.

Background: Born and raised in Mexico. Moved to Salt Lake City in 1996 to attend college. Married, has 1-year-old daughter.