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 Volaris. His reputation for turning around struggling companies, including Circle K, and serving on n...
Jul 15, 2025•53 min•Ep. 21
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 that define political presence, Dr. Poloni-Staudinger reflects on her research into how fashion choices ...
May 28, 2025•57 min•Ep. 20
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 ideas of intelligence and self-awareness. Touching on everything from the Super Nintendo to the GAIA...
May 06, 2025•57 min•Ep. 19
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. Dr. Carter shares insights on his groundbreaking Virtual Harlem project , the future of volumetric ca...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 18
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 degree pathways. Dean Kannan also shares his leadership journey, insights on collaboration and entrepr...
Mar 18, 2025•44 min•Ep. 17
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 educator and director of Linfield University’s Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and Ma...
Feb 07, 2025•55 min•Ep. 16
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 immigration reform and climate policy, this episode offers fresh insights into what the election means for A...
Jan 22, 2025•58 min•Ep. 15
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 cohesive, high-performing teams. Desireé, a U of A alumna and former student-athlete herself, recounts h...
Nov 25, 2024•53 min•Ep. 14
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 Policy Lab. Dr. Christopher Weber is a professor and the Director the Voter Project at the University ...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 13
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 into our efforts to fuel wonder through innovative programming and collaboration, the impact of the C...
Aug 14, 2024•56 min•Ep. 12
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 experience. His contributions to NASA have been nationally recognized, with the OSIRIS-REx mission r...
Jun 28, 2024•51 min•Ep. 11
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 challenges associated with attracting and retaining students of color, and the importance of empowering blac...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 10
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 College Academy Scholar, he brings a unique perspective to our conversation, enriched by his dedication to...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 9
Dr. Jacqueline Melvold is an award-winning Lecturer in the Transdisciplinary School at the University of Technology Sydney and is Course Director of the Bachelor of Technology and Innovation. She is passionate about influencing change as an education leader by exploring innovative and creative approaches to learning in collaborative and transdisciplinary environments. Dr. Melvold was instrumental in developing and implementing the curriculum for the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovati...
Dec 04, 2023•44 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of It’s an Honor, guest hosted by Dr. Nadia Alvarez Mexia Assistant Professor of Practice and Assistant Director of Learning Development and Community Involvement in the Franke Honors College and Faculty Co-Chair of the Latinx Staff and Faculty Association, we have the honor of hearing from Dr. Sandra Bernal, a Lecturer in the College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture , and Mel and Melissa Dominguez, co-owners of the South Tucson-based Galeria Mitotera , about...
Oct 26, 2023•55 min•Ep. 7
Dr. Amanda Kraus currently serves as Assistant Vice President for Campus Life and Executive Director of the University of Arizona’s Disability Resource Center , one of the largest in the nation. She is also an Associate Professor of Practice in the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the UA, coordinates the M.A. program, and instructs courses on student services and disability in The College of Education . Dr. Kraus studies disability identity, disability dynamics in the student veteran ...
Oct 09, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 6
Victoria DeFrancesco Soto is Dean of the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas and is also a political analyst for NBC News and Telemundo. She is the first Latina Dean at a presidential institution and was named one of the top 12 scholars in the country by Diverse magazine. Victoria previously taught at Northwestern University and Rutgers and received her Ph.D. in political science from Duke University. Her areas of expertise include civic engagement, women, immigration,...
Sep 15, 2023•47 min•Ep. 5
Bem Le Hunte is an internationally published novelist and an expert in the field of Creative Intelligence. She is the Director of Learning and Teaching in the TD School at UTS, as well as the founding course director of the multi-award-winning Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (BCII). She teaches creative thinking, theory and practice across many disciplines from anthropology to media and creative writing – and works with academics from across all faculties at UTS as well as with ...
Aug 31, 2023•54 min•Ep. 4
Rebecca Gomez, PhD , is a Professor in the College of Science and the Director of the Child Cognition Lab at the University of Arizona and is one of our incredible 2023 Franke Academy of Scholars award recipients. Dr. Gómez was also the recipient of a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award, has been an associate editor for Cognition, a leading journal in the field of cognitive science, and has served on the editorial boards of Psychological Science and Language Learning and Development. ...
Aug 16, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 3
Teresa Rosano is a practicing architect and professor in the College of Architecture, Planning, & Landscape Architecture (CAPLA) at the University of Arizona. Teresa’s award-winning work has been featured in over 300 books and magazines worldwide, including Architecture Magazine . In addition to her celebrated architectural work, Teresa has been recognized for her excellence in teaching. Most recently, she received the 2023 Margaret M. Briehl and Dennis T. Ray Five Star Faculty Award, the on...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 2
Dave Franke is the Principal of Franke & Co., and, along with the rest of the Franke family, is known for philanthropy, including the impactful gift that made us the W.A. Franke Honors College. With his experience creating and evolving businesses and philanthropic pursuits, Dave is no stranger to change. In this episode, Franke Honors Interim Dean John Pollard has a conversation with Dave about change in its many forms, from leadership transitions and human relationships to higher education ...
Jun 23, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 1
