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 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.

The start of the academic year is always filled with excitement as current students come back to campus and new students begin what is sure to be one of the most life-changing experiences they will have in their young adult lives.

Our industry partners play an integral role in the BCII experience, providing industry, government and community challenges, internships, and access to valuable networks that prepare our students for successful careers.

As Senior Vice President of Pricing and Customer Solutions for Duke Energy, Lon Huber is passionate about innovation and sustainability providing direct impact on the communities he serves.

Visiting Associate Professor of Practice Dr. Jacqueline Melvold has been named the new Compton Chair for Intelligence and Innovation. This endowed faculty position was established through a generous $3.2 million gift made to the W.A. Franke Honors College last fall by Dr. John Lee Compton.

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. 

Mark and Mindy Zeitzer both earned undergraduate degrees with Honors from the University of Arizona, and both have gone on to careers marked by impressive professional accomplishments in health care as well as profound commitments to the communities they serve.

On November 1st, The University of Arizona will be hosting its annual TED event, TEDxUArizona: Spirit of Wonder. TEDxUArizona is an independently organized event that brings together bright ideas, inspiring performances and profound research for a day of sessions and discussions designed to ignite conversation and connection in the University of Arizona and Tucson community. This year, Franke Honors Alumna Halley Hughes is joining the lineup of speakers, amongst other prominent University staff and faculty. 

Franke Honors Alumni, Ziad and Akram Hindosh share about their experience with the Health and Human Values minor, and how the program helped them to pursue their med school dreams.