A former state chairwoman for the Utah Democratic Party could help make decisions for higher education.

Meghan Holbrook's appointment to fill the five remaining years of David Maher's six-year term on the Board of Regents has been submitted to the Utah Senate by Gov. Olene Walker for approval. Holbrook served as chairwoman of the Utah Democrats between 1997 and 2003, when she lost to current party chairman Donald Dunn.

Walker also appointed four other people to posts on boards and commissions. They include:

• Lawrence Reaveley and Neal Stowe were reappointed as members of the State Capitol Preservation Board. Their terms will expire in 2006.

• Robert Murray and Ruth Lybbert will fill the positions of Melvin Green and Howard Dransfield, respectively, on the Workers Compensation Fund board of directors. their terms expire in 2008.