It's an Honor

W.A. Franke Honors College
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Welcome to It’s an Honor, a podcast from the W.A. Franke Honors College. It’s an Honor invites listeners into nuanced conversations that embrace the complexity of the world we inhabit. By examining the areas where ideas rub against each other, guests will engage in bold discussion that fosters understanding, empathy, and growth. Exploring different perspectives enhances our own—it's an honor for us to learn from one another. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the W.A. Franke Honors College.

  1. [Encore Re-Release] Building a Championship Culture with University of Arizona Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois

    MAR 5

    [Encore Re-Release] Building a Championship Culture with University of Arizona Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois

    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 discussion about what it truly means to build a championship culture—one that fuels success on the court while shaping leaders for life. As Arizona celebrates its conference title in its inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference, this conversation feels especially relevant, highlighting the intentional leadership, vision, and resilience required to compete at the highest level. A proud University of Arizona alumna and former student-athlete, Reed-Francois reflects on her journey from rowing at UCLA to her impactful years at the U of A Law School in the ’90s, and ultimately to leading Arizona Athletics. With vivid sports analogies and stories from across her career—including addressing incoming first-year students alongside Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita—she illustrates how athletics and academics intersect to create cohesive, high-performing teams. As the only woman athletic director in the Big 12, Reed-Francois offers powerful insights on leadership, innovation, and preparing student-athletes for success beyond sports. This encore release celebrates not only a championship season, but the culture and commitment that made it possible.

    53 min

  2. FEB 25

    Service Above Self: The Human Side of Healthcare Leadership with Banner-University Medical Center Tucson CEO Alison Flynn Gaffney

    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 philosophy of leadership has changed over time. The conversation explores women in leadership, honest communication, community-centered care, and the role of artificial intelligence in strengthening—not replacing—human connection. The episode concludes with a personal reflection on curiosity, resilience, and the experiences that continue to shape her perspective.    With more than three decades of experience in healthcare leadership, Alison has held senior executive roles across academic medical centers and national organizations, guiding large-scale system growth, operational transformation, and innovation. Her work has earned national recognition for advancing patient-centered care, strengthening organizational culture, and developing high-performing, mission-driven teams.

    1h 3m

  3. FEB 6

    Giving Voice: Science, Service, and Leadership with Dr. Patricia A. Prelock

    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 speech-language pathology, Dr. Prelock reflects on the importance of communication, perspective-taking, and service. The conversation explores leadership, resilience, the future role of artificial intelligence in autism research, and how listening deeply has guided her journey to the University of Arizona. Dr. Prelock is an internationally recognized scholar in autism, interprofessional education, and family-centered care. She has authored over 220 publications, delivered more than 600 invited presentations, and secured over $25 million in research funding. Prior to joining the University of Arizona, she served as Interim President at the University of Vermont and held multiple senior leadership roles in higher education.

    1h 10m

  4. JAN 30

    Curiosity Without Borders with Wesley Warshawer

    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 China to East Africa—profoundly influenced his understanding of culture, humility, and human connection. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the value of evolving through new experiences, building authentic networks, and remaining open to growth wherever life takes you.    A recipient of the U.S. Student Program Fulbright Scholar and graduate of the University of Arizona Eller School of Business, Wesley earned a master’s degree in Global Economy and Strategy from Yonsei University in Seoul and has spent significant time living and working across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. His journey underscores a central theme of the episode: that embracing curiosity and stepping beyond the familiar can open pathways far greater than initially imagined.    Thinking about applying for a Fulbright? University of Arizona students and almuni are encouraged to connect with ONCS and apply through the campus process. Applying through the campus process gives you access to personalized advising, feedback, and a strong campus network to help you put forward your most competitive application. Fulbright website: https://us.fulbrightonline.org

    49 min

  5. 12/08/2025

    Forging the Future: Fusion, AI, and Leadership with Dr. Tomás Díaz de la Rubia

    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-driven fusion works, why it represents a significant clean-energy opportunity, and what obstacles still limit commercial viability. He also outlines the university’s growing initiatives in artificial intelligence, including applications in healthcare, national security, mining, and space science.    The episode highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration across research domains and concludes with reflections on leadership, career growth, and Dr. Díaz de la Rubia’s personal interest in wine.

    50 min

  6. 10/31/2025

    Remember your ancestors—Recuerda a tus antepasados with Dr. Nadia Alvarez Mexia and Gabi Arroyo

    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 delves into the many ways ancestry shapes who we are: through culture, immigration, family, and the stories passed down through generations. They discuss how traditions, indigenous perspectives, and collective memories give meaning to ancestry, and how we unconsciously perpetuate practices that connect us to those who came before.    Gabi shares insights from her work as an HSI Honors intern, as well as reflections from her own life—including her musical compositions inspired by Día de los Muertos. Together, they examine how honoring ancestry can serve as both emotional healing and empowerment, and how cultural icons in media can redefine traditional narratives, uplifting shared heritage and identity.

    52 min

  7. 10/01/2025

    The Architecture of Mind: Psycholinguistics, Consciousness, and Artificial Intelligence: A Conversation with Dr. Tom Bever

    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 working alongside Noam Chomsky.    Listeners will hear Dr. Bever’s insights on language development and pyscholinguistics, his experiments surrounding the U-shaped learning curve in adolescents, and his evolving interest in consciousness studies. The episode culminates with a thought-provoking exploration of artificial intelligence and the philosophical—and potentially scientific—questions it raises. This conversation offers a rare look into the thinking of a scholar whose decades of work have reshaped how we understand language, learning, and the human mind.

    1h 33m

  8. 09/19/2025

    Entrepreneurship at the Intersection of Medicine and Tech with Dr. Adeel Yang

    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 navigating Y Combinator while balancing clinical training. Listeners will hear Adeel’s insights on entrepreneurship, patient education, and the evolving role of AI in healthcare and education. He also discusses how a newfound hobby in golf and accessibility challenges inspired the creation of Dryvebox. The episode culminates with reflections on balancing family life with ambitious ventures and a vision for the future of technology in medicine. This conversation offers a rare look into the thinking of a founder, Franke alum, and Flinn Scholar whose career spans clinical care, investment, and innovative startups.

    1 hr
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About

Welcome to It’s an Honor, a podcast from the W.A. Franke Honors College. It’s an Honor invites listeners into nuanced conversations that embrace the complexity of the world we inhabit. By examining the areas where ideas rub against each other, guests will engage in bold discussion that fosters understanding, empathy, and growth. Exploring different perspectives enhances our own—it's an honor for us to learn from one another. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the W.A. Franke Honors College.

Information

  • Creator
    W.A. Franke Honors College
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © W.A. Franke Honors College
  • Show Website
    It's an Honor