Franke Honors celebrates historic convocation, including first BCII graduates

This spring, the W.A. Franke Honors College celebrated its largest graduating class ever. Adding to the significance of the celebration, five Franke Honors students were recognized as the inaugural graduates of the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (BCII) and minor in Creative Intelligence and Innovation (CII) programs. 

Isabella Ducey, Emma Stevenson, Andrew Krueger, Hailey Bushey, and Bonnie Rock will be the first students to graduate from the future-oriented dual-degree program, which launched at the University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College in fall of 2023, drawing inspiration from a program of the same name at the University of Technology Sydney. 

The BCII prepares students for a professional world that is shaped by rapid change and complexity. By bringing together students from across academic disciplines, the program fosters collaboration, experimentation, and unique approaches to learning. 

“In the professional world, there are no tests; there is problem-solving and action, and that's exactly what we do in BCII,” said Isabella Ducey, a 2026 BCII graduate. “Everything is centered on mimicking the professional world: we learn to work in teams, communicate, problem-solve, ideate, pitch, create reports, and network.” 

Throughout their involvement in the program, each of the graduates has participated in and fulfilled the requirements of the BCII’s experiential curriculum, working with real companies and organizations to create potential solutions for future industry challenges. 

Since its inception in 2023, BCII partners have included Honeywell Aerospace, Pima Federal Credit Union, American Red Cross, Mission Garden, and Old Tucson. Students' projects have addressed topics ranging from envisioning the future of banking and destigmatizing autonomous flight to reimagining hospitality and entertainment, and more.

Meet the Graduates 

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Isabella Ducey 

Isabella Ducey is graduating with a Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation and a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Chinese. She is a proud Baird and NOURISH Scholar, representing both Honors and the School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness. Over the last 4 years, Isabella was a part of 3 different labs, starting in Plant and Life Sciences, looking at the CEPR1 gene in cotton, then in Nutritional Sciences in the Chilton Lab looking at an EGFR mutant of Non-Small Cell lung Cancer, and lastly in the mycology lab at CEAC where she conducted one of her honors theses, bringing together the Brewing Lab on campus with her lab to grow pearl oyster mushrooms off of brewing waste. During her last semester, Isabella preceptored for one of the introductory BCII courses, Creative Practice and Methods. Next year, she will be returning as a Wildcat, pursuing a Marketing Master’s at Eller and serving as the W.A. Franke Honors College's first Graduate Assistant. 

What Isabella says about BCII: 

“BCII is worth fitting into any busy schedule because it is what will set you apart and give you the skills needed to adapt in this ever-changing world. The skills and training you receive in BCII are beneficial across any discipline and enhance your abilities and intelligence.” 

Emma Stevenson 

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Emma Stevenson is graduating with a Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation and a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science with an emphasis in the science of healing and human potential. She was an SI instructor on campus for the Molecular and Cellular Biology department for 3 years, and was involved in the formation of the Venture Studio at the W.A. Franke Honors College. Emma’s honors thesis explored the role of MDMA in treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Within the BCII, Emma’s favorite industry partner that she worked with was Pima Federal Credit Union, where she discovered a passion for futuring, design, and strategy. After graduation, Emma will be spending eight weeks backpacking on the Appalachian Trail before moving back to her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. She plans to pursue a career as a product manager in health technology, specifically in the start-up space.  

What Emma says about BCII: 

“BCII has shaped me as much as a learner and worker as it has as a person. I am very comfortable in ambiguity and have become a very flexible thinker which serves me greatly in the start-up space. I have gained skills in strategic foresight, creative thinking, and complex problem solving. All skills that will continue to serve me in my life and my career. My favorite skillset though has to be the collaboration skills I have gained. Working with so many different people has made me a better listener, designer, and leader.” 

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Hailey Bushey 

Hailey Bushey is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with minors in both Public Relations and Creative Intelligence & Innovation. She currently works at the BIO5 Institute on the Public Affairs team as a Marketing and Communications Assistant. CII has been influential in Hailey’s professional and personal success at BIO5, giving her the opportunity to put her interdisciplinary ways of thinking into practice. During her time on campus, Hailey served on the executive board for Lambda Pi Eta, the Communication Honor Society as Administrative Coordinator, and was an active member of PRSSA, the Public Relations Students Society of America. Her post-graduate plans are to pursue a career in communications and PR, either at an agency or in-house. She hopes to work in the healthcare sector, making a difference in the lives of patients and the organizations that serve them.   

What Hailey says about CII: 

“Minoring in Creative Intelligence & Innovation has been an incredible opportunity, and I am so grateful to be a part of the first graduating class. I have enjoyed learning in a non-traditional way and getting hands-on experience working with various partners. As someone in communications, I was worried about how my discipline would fit in with a lot of the STEM majors. However, I soon discovered that the differences are actually a strength. Having more perspectives on a topic, with people in completely different backgrounds, is what helps a team succeed. I have worked with people in majors such as law, psychology, medicine, and business, and have still successfully tackled a challenge and brought a solution to the problem space.”