On this episode of It's an Honor, Franke Dean Dr. John Pollard sits down with University of Arizona, Eller College of Management Dean Dr. Karthik Kannan to explore the future of higher education, from the rise of AI and transdisciplinary learning to the increasing global connectivity reshaping academia and industry.

W.A. Franke Honors College Alumni Bat-Orgil Bat-Erdene has been named the University of Arizona's first Schwarzman Scholar. One of the world's most distinguished graduate fellowships, the Schwarzman Scholars Program supports scholars from around the world for a one-year master’s in global affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University.

The University of Arizona's W.A. Franke Honors College sponsored a seminar in which Franke Honors students in HNRS 295G: Global Diversity & Voices were able to plan, organize, and host a seminar that promoted multigenerational voices, wellness (both physical and mental), and professional growth.

This Women's History Month, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of women throughout history, recognizing their achievements, and honoring their resilience. Within the W.A. Franke Honors College, we are privileged to have outstanding women scholars and leaders who contribute immensely to our campus community and beyond!

The W.A. Franke Honors College acknowledges Dr. Victoria DeFrancesco Soto as our 2024-25 Alumni of the Year. This award is given to graduates who have bestowed honor on the college through significant contributions and accomplishments that embody the mission of the W.A. Franke Honors College.

Dr. Robert Stephan, W.A. Franke Honors Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, has received the Archaeological Institute of America’s 2025 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Drs. Mark and Mindy Zeitzer, the W.A. Franke Honors College’s 2023-24 Alumni of the Year recipients join us for an inspiring discussion on today’s episode of It’s an Honor, sharing insights into their professional journeys and their innovative contributions to healthcare.

Dr. Robert Stephan has been selected as the next Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the W.A. Franke Honors College. Before joining the W.A. Franke Honors College, he served as an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Religious Studies and Classics at the University of Arizona and a Fellow in the Program of Writing and Rhetoric at Stanford University.

The Winston Churchill Foundation has awarded W.A. Franke Honors College senior Bryce Wilson a 2025 Churchill Scholarship, which supports undergraduate students who wish to pursue a year of Master's study in science, mathematics and engineering at Cambridge University.

The beginning of February marks the start of Black History Month, and we are kicking off this monumental month with some exciting events in and around the W.A. Franke Honors College including highlighting Black innovation, music, culture, movement, and more!