In 2020, Grace graduated from The University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College with majors in East Asian Studies and Global Studies and a law minor. After receiving her Master’s from Johns Hopkins University, Grace now works as a China Analyst at Exovera, a company that conducts national security research and analysis for clients in the public sector. 

As we head into summer, our work continues as we prepare to welcome a brand new batch of Franke Honors Wildcats in the fall. We are incredibly excited to support the next generation of future change makers and leaders, as they move toward their goals and dreams. But first, let's reflect on all of amazing happenings of the last academic year.

On this episode of It's an Honor, Dr. Pollard sits down with Dr. Alex Braithwaite, the Melody S. Robidoux Foundation Fund Professor and Associate Director of the School of Government & Public Policy at the University of Arizona, for a captivating discussion about international conflict. As a W.A. Franke Honors College Academy Scholar, Dr. Braithwaite brings a unique perspective to the conversation, enriched by his remarkable research and background in international relations and conflict studies.

Franke Honors student Colter Thomas was awarded an Exploratory mini-grant, and has used the funding from his grant to create a visual archive of security and surveillance infrastructure in the U.S. borderlands. Colter and his research partner, Dugan Meyer, are hosting an exhibition opening on April 12, and a panel discussion on April 19 at ENR2 on campus.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Recent statistics underscore the urgency of sexual violence prevention and intervention work: RAINN reports that an American is assaulted every 68 seconds, and studies show over 53% of women and over 29% of men reported experiencing contact sexual violence.

April is a busy time around the W.A. Franke Honors College, but let's take time to pause and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and contributions of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) communities during APIDA Heritage Month. This month and the next provides a meaningful opportunity for reflection, appreciation, and advocacy for the diverse voices within our University of Arizona community.

Students from the W.A. Franke Honors College will be collaborating with Tucson’s annual Agave Heritage Festival (AHF) to host an Agave Knowledge Exchange exhibition on April 20th in downtown Tucson. The Agave Heritage Festival is a four-day celebration that focuses on the agave plant and its cultural significance across borders.

The weather brought John Pollard to Tucson, but the University of Arizona's culture and research opportunities have kept him here. In this Meet the Dean feature, learn about Dean Pollard's vision for the W.A. Franke Honors College, as well as his love for music and barbecue.

The University of Arizona's W.A. Franke Honors College recently sponsored a student designed seminar hosted in Sonora, Mexico, in which Franke Honors students in HNRS 295G: Global Diversity & Voices were able to plan, organize, and put on a seminar that promoted a topic of their choosing. The course culminated in a seminar to showcase learning with a partner university in Sonora, The Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Cananea.

Daryl Ijaola is a sophomore at the W.A. Franke Honors College studying Biomedical Engineering with minors in Health and Human Values and Spanish. Ijaola, who is also a Black Excellence Scholar, has a passion for expressing his thoughts and emotions through poetry and spoken word. Using the resources from his Exploratory Mini-Grant, Ijaola is cultivating a dedicated space for students to explore writing poetry through weekly workshops hosted in the University of Arizona Main Library.