It's an Honor

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 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 numerous corporate boards has made him a sought-after figure in international business. 

In this episode, Bill reflects on his unconventional upbringing, his early career as a trial lawyer, and his intelligence work during the Cuban Missile Crisis—where he helped shape U.S. communication strategy in Latin America. He shares insights from decades of experience restructuring and growing enterprises into Fortune 500 companies and explains the core philosophy that drives his business and philanthropic ventures alike. 

We also explore Bill’s deep commitment to education and his legacy of investing in student potential. From the W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation at the University of Montana to the W.A. Franke College of Business at NAU, and now the W.A. Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona, Bill has helped create transformative learning environments across the country. He discusses his hopes for the future of the Honors College and offers timeless advice on leadership, curiosity, and impact for students looking to change the world. 

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 shape public perception—particularly for women navigating the double-bind of appearing too feminine or not feminine enough. The conversation spans from global leaders like Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the nuanced branding choices of U.S. politicians. 

They also dive into Dean Poloni-Staudinger’s path to leadership—her early career in wildlife biology, her move into political science, and the rapid rise that brought imposter syndrome but also a deep understanding of authenticity. With perspectives shaped by both professional and personal experience, including raising college-aged children, she discusses how to lead with honesty, adapt to shifting expectations, and respond to the challenges facing higher education today. 

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 conference and the BCII dual degree at the W.A. Franke Honors College, this episode bridges hardware, humanity, and the pursuit of lifelong learning. 

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 capture, and the ethical concerns surrounding AI’s rapid advancement. Plus, we dive into his journey from collegiate quarterback to tech innovator. 

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 entrepreneurship, and how higher education can stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.