It's an Honor

In this episode, Dr. Pollard speaks with Ravi Ram , a Flinn Scholar and University of Arizona Honors alumnus, about curiosity, global exploration, and the pursuit of purpose. Ravi reflects on his interdisciplinary academic journey, his transformative experiences studying abroad across Latin America, Asia, and Europe, and the lessons he learned about culture, community, and self-discovery. The conv...

In this episode, Dr. Pollard speaks with Dr. Stephen Dahmer —Director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona—about the role of curiosity, global experience, and interdisciplinary thinking in shaping modern healthcare. Dr. Dahmer reflects on his journey from medical school to integrative medicine, including formative experiences as a medical interpreter and...

In this episode, Dr. Pollard speaks with Terry J. Lundgren , former Chairman and CEO of Macy’s, Inc. and namesake of the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing at the University of Arizona. Terry reflects on his journey from a struggling undergraduate student to a leader in the global retail industry, emphasizing the importance of mindset, resilience, and taking advantage of opportunities. The con...

In this episode, Dr. Pollard speaks with Ben Driggs , Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer at Honeywell Aerospace and the 2026 Alumnus of the Year for the W.A. Franke Honors College . Ben reflects on his time as a Flinn Scholar and student body president at the University of Arizona, the curiosity that shaped his career, and how experiences living abroad and working across disciplines influenced...

In celebration of the Big 12 Conference Regular Season Championship secured by Arizona Wildcats men's basketball with a 73–57 victory over Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball, we are proud to share this special encore release of our conversation with University of Arizona Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois. In this episode, Dean Pollard sits down with Reed-Francois for a timely and inspiring...

In this episode of It’s an Honor , Dr. Pollard speaks with Alison Flynn Gaffney , CEO of Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and Banner – University Medical Center South, about leadership in healthcare, service-driven decision-making, and the power of evolving one’s path. Alison reflects on her undergraduate path to a career in healthcare, the importance of “service above self,” and how her...

In this episode, Dr. Pollard speaks with Dr. Patricia A. Prelock , Provost and Chief Academic Officer at the University of Arizona , about the personal experiences and intellectual passions that shaped her career as a scientist, clinician, and academic leader. From a formative seventh-grade science fair inspired by her brother with Down syndrome to her internationally recognized work in autism and...

In this episode, Dr. Pollard speaks with Wesley Warshawer — Winter 2025 Convocation Speaker, 2025 Young Alumni Awardee , and W.A. Franke Honors alumnus—to explore the role of curiosity, global perspective, and lived experience in shaping a meaningful path. Wesley reflects on his time as a Franke student, the challenge of choosing a direction, and how studying and living abroad—from South Korea and...

In this episode, Dr. Pollard speaks with Dr. Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships at the University of Arizona . The discussion traces his early academic foundations in physics, the mentors who shaped his development, and the role of persistence in undergraduate research.    Dr. Díaz de la Rubia provides an accessible overview of fusion energy—how laser-drive...

In this special episode of It’s an Honor, guest host Dr. Nadia Alvarez Mexia —Assistant Professor of Practice and Assistant Director of Learning Development and Community Involvement—sits down with Gabriella “Gabi” Arroyo, a W.A. Franke Honors College student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology, to explore the deeply personal and universal theme of ancestry.    Their conversation delv...

Dr. Tom Bever , Regents Professor at the University of Arizona and a foundational figure in the field of psycholinguistics , joins It’s an Honor for a wide-ranging conversation on science, language, and the future of the mind. He recounts his early days experimenting with ants and atomic energy, reflects on his educational journey through Harvard and Switzerland, and shares personal stories of wor...

Dr. Adeel Yang , serial entrepreneur and co-founder of companies bridging healthcare, education, and technology, joins It’s an Honor for a wide-ranging conversation on medicine, startups, and innovation. He recounts his journey from uncertain college beginnings to pursuing both medicine and venture capital, shares stories from launching Picmonic and Medumo , and reflects on his experience navigati...

William A. Franke —renowned global investor, aviation executive, and namesake of the W.A. Franke Honors College —joins us for an extraordinary conversation on today’s episode of It’s an Honor. As the founder and managing partner of Indigo Partners , Bill has helped transform the aviation industry through strategic leadership roles in companies like Frontier Airlines, Tiger Airways, Wizz Air, and V...

In this episode, Dean John Pollard sits down with Dr. Lori Poloni-Staudinger , Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona, and 2024 Women of Impact Honoree Together, they explore the intersection of fashion, politics, leadership, and the evolving role of higher education in society.   From the symbolism of Chuck Taylors and tan suits to the unspoken codes th...

Microprocessor legend Bill Mensch joins the show to reflect on a lifetime of innovation—from designing the Motorola 6800 and co-developing the 6502 processor to shaping the field of embedded intelligence. In this wide-ranging conversation, Mensch explores the future of conscious technology, shares insights from his own AI model , and discusses how philosophy, religion, and science converge around...

Dr. Bryan Carter, Director of the Center for Digital Humanities, professor of Africana Studies at The University of Arizona, and an expert in virtual environments, joins us to explore the intersection of AI, XR, and digital storytelling in education. We discuss the evolution of AR and VR, their role in transforming learning spaces, and the challenges of staying on the cutting edge of technology. D...

In this episode, Dean Karthik Kannan joins us to explore the future of higher education , from the rise of AI and transdisciplinary learning to the increasing global connectivity reshaping academia and industry. We discuss how the Honors-Eller partnership is preparing students for real-world challenges, the balance between innovation and overreliance on technology, and the evolving structure of de...

Drs. Mark and Mindy Zeitzer , the W.A. Franke Honors College’s 2023-24 Alumni of the Year recipients, join us for an inspiring discussion on today’s episode of It’s an Honor. As distinguished healthcare professionals and committed community leaders, the Zeitzers exemplify the mission of the Honors College through their impactful careers and dedication to service. Mindy, an accomplished nurse educa...

In the second part of our series on the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Drs. Samara Klar , Chris Weber , and Alex Braithwaite return to analyze how polling predictions measured up to the results. They break down key issues like the economy's overwhelming influence, the fracturing Democratic coalition, and the global trends shaping voter behavior. From split-ticket voting to the future of immigrat...

In this episode, Dean Pollard sits down with The University of Arizona Athletic Director , Desireé Reed-Francois for a lively conversation about building a championship culture and shaping future leaders both on and off the field. They delve into the dynamic intersection of sports and academics, sharing insights on the power of leadership and the ways athletics and academics align in creating cohe...

Dr. Samara Klar is a Political Scientist and the Melody S. Robidoux Fund Professor in the School of Government and Public Policy. She studies how individuals’ personal identities and social surroundings influence their political attitudes and behavior. Most often, she uses experimental methods (in and outside the lab), surveys, and other statistical tools. She is a co-Coordinator of the Arizona Po...

Join us for today’s live-recorded episode of It's an Honor, where we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Lori Poloni-Staudinger , Dean of the University of Arizona's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Together, we'll be answering questions from members of the DC Capitol Cats alumni group, current University of Arizona students, and other SBS and Honors alumni. This episode will delve i...

Dr. Dante Lauretta, an award-winning Regents Professor of Planetary Science and Cosmochemistry at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, joins us for an enlightening discussion on today's episode of It's an Honor. As the director of the Arizona Astrobiology Center and the leader of NASA's OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return mission, Dr. Lauretta brings a wealth of knowledge and...

Dr. Cheree Meeks, Dr. Jamaica DelMar, Ms. Barbea Williams, and Ms. Lauryn Jones join us for a captivating discussion on today's special episode of It's an Honor. All four of our guests give their insight on what it means to be a black woman in leadership positions, and what has inspired them to continue leading with authenticity. The podcast touches on the value of building community, the challeng...

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, joins us for a captivating discussion on today's episode of It's an Honor. With a remarkable background in international relations and conflict studies, Dr. Braithwaite's expertise is unparalleled. As a W.A. Franke Honors Colleg...