W.A. FRANKE HONORS COLLEGE ANNOUNCES INTERIM DEAN, DR. JOHN POLLARD
W.A. Franke Honors College Dean, Terry Hunt, has decided to step down as Dean and transition to a faculty position in the School of Anthropology, effective July 1, 2022. His deep commitment to the undergraduate experience, and honors in particular, has helped the W.A. Franke Honors College to advance its mission and serve our students in important ways, and we are grateful for the contributions made during his years of service.
Dr. John Pollard will step into the role of Interim Dean upon Dr. Hunt’s departure. Dr. Pollard is currently the Associate Dean for Academics and Curricular Innovation at the W.A. Franke Honors College, as well as a Professor of Practice in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. In his 21 years as an educator at the University of Arizona, Dr. Pollard has received numerous awards for his excellence in teaching and curricular development, and he co-authored the nationally recognized Chemical Thinking curriculum—a prominent part of introductory chemistry courses at the University of Arizona as well as institutions across the world.
Throughout his career, Dr. Pollard has championed the implementation of evidence-based instructional approaches, published research in understanding collaborative learning environments, and, in 2014, he initiated the collaborative learning space movement on campus, resulting in the conversion of more than 40 classrooms to active learning environments. His work has impacted the teaching practices of hundreds of faculty and the learning experiences of tens of thousands of students.
As Associate Dean of the W.A. Franke Honors College, Dr. Pollard has led the design and implementation of several student-centered programs. Because of these programs, the college was recognized as the Most Improved Honors College by the 2020-21 Inside Honors publication. From developing the innovative Future Earth Resilience minor to designing the piloting interdisciplinary pedagogy for the UArizona general education refresh and initiating a partnership between the Franke Honors College and the Hispanic Serving Institution work being done across the UArizona campus, Dr. Pollard's leadership has helped propel the W.A. Franke Honors College forward as a locally and nationally recognized hub of innovation.
The college will continue to benefit greatly from his dedication, expertise, and enthusiasm during this transitional time.
Information on the search for a permanent dean will be forthcoming.