News

This fall, the University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College will launch the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (BCII) degree, inspired by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). This transdisciplinary degree can be combined with a range of degrees to examine design-led innovation through a future facing and industry engaged curriculum.

As a contribution to the Center for Creative Photography's mobile app experience, CCP Interactive, W.A. Franke Honors students had the opportunity to correspond with Sir Paul McCartney, one of the most celebrated singers, songwriters, and musicians of the last century, and ask him questions about his late wife Linda’s profound photography career.

Franke Honors Assistant Professor of Practice Dr. Nadia Alvarez Mexia published an article on Pedagogy for Short-Term Programming. Her article examines the transformation in the design of international academic offerings such as student mobility programs.

In this inaugural episode of “It’s an Honor”, Franke Honors Interim Dean John Pollard has a conversation with Dave Franke, philanthropist and Principal of Franke & Co. They dissect change in its many forms—from change in higher education and business to relationships and technology.

Jayne Reines, a recent Franke Honors graduate, presented her thesis work last semester at a medical conference in Ohio. Her research explores the overlap of health and the humanities—how physicians interact with patients spiritually. If you are interested in studying this overlap like Reines, we recommend registering for HNRS 395M: Medicine, Spirituality, & Healing: The Rise and Limits of the Biomedical Scientific Program.

Franke Honors Professor of Practice Patrick Baliani has been awarded the Gerald J. Swanson Prize for Teaching Excellence. This award was created through a gift from the Thomas R. Brown Foundation in honor of Gerald J. Swanson, University of Arizona Professor Emeritus, and is given to recognize distinction in undergraduate teaching.

The Franke Honors Civic Leadership Certificate aims to provide coursework opportunities for students to grow their leadership skills, give back to their communities, and improve their ethics. To achieve the certificate, students are required to take multiple courses whose subject matter centers on topics like community engagement, ethics, and leadership structures within different institutions.

Pearl and Precious Craig are Franke Honors alumnas both entering into their third year as Doctor of Pharmacy Candidates at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. Throughout their time in Honors, both Pearl and Precious were recipients of numerous accolades and awards from both in and outside of the University. Now, as pharmacy students, these sisters are initiating positive change through an organization they co-founded together in the School of Pharmacy.

Kyle Cook just graduated from the W.A. Franke Honors College with honors in Physiology and Medical Sciences. During his undergrad, Cook conducted research with the Sarver Heart Center and served as the president of the Physiology Club on campus. He took advantage of the Honors Early Assurance Program during his junior year, which guaranteed him a spot at the College of Medicine – Tucson, where he will begin attending next fall.

Rachel Newcomb is a graduating senior at the W.A. Franke Honors College studying Neuroscience. Last month, the culmination of her thesis work was on display at the University of Arizona Poetry Center, in the form of mixed media: paint on canvas, poetry, audio interviews, and graphite and ink on paper.  Newcomb’s Honors Thesis, titled Alone, Together, was inspired by her personal experiences and interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic.