Awards & Accolades

Image
Robert Smith

Robert Smith

Image
Alixe Holcomb

Alixe Holcomb

Image
Katherine Schenck

Katherine Schenck

Image
Kevin L. Henry

Kevin L. Henry

Image
DeMarcus Jenkins

DeMarcus Jenkins

Congratulations to these recent honorees.

Smith is elevated to American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows

Robert Smith, vice president for University planning, design and operations, has been elevated to the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows. The institute announced its new fellows in late February.

The AIA's mission involves creating "more valuable, healthy, secure and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods and communities," and its chapters advocate for "public policies that promote economic vitality and public well-being."

The institute's fellowship program recognizes "architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level." Candidates must have at least 10 years of AIA membership. Fellows are selected by a seven-member jury.

Smith is an alumnus of the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture. He began working at the University in 1994 as director of facilities, design and construction.

University wins the 2020 ICLA Synergy Award

The University has been named the winner of the 2020 Synergy Award by the International Collegiate Licensing Association. The University will be recognized at an awards luncheon in June in Las Vegas.

The International Collegiate Licensing Association is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. The ICLA provides educational and networking opportunities to collegiate licensing professionals.

Its Synergy Award, given annually, recognizes a team that "has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to collegiate licensing over the course of the past year and directly contributed to the betterment of the industry and their institution or organization."

The award specifically recognizes Alixe Holcomb, director of trademarks and licensing, and Katherine Schenck, assistant director of trademarks and licensing, in the University's Marketing and Brand Management office.

The ICLA noted Holcomb and Schenck's work on the fall 2019 Operation Hat Trick campaign, a fundraiser that brought in nearly $100,000 for the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Fisher House.

The ICLA also noted a project that sent students to New York Fashion Week and Trademarks and Licensing's close partnership with the University of Arizona BookStores.

Henry and Jenkins recognized for leadership in higher education

Kevin L. Henry and DeMarcus Jenkins, assistant professors in the Department of Educational Policy Studies and Practice, are among the winners of the JV Educational Leadership Award from JV Educational Consultants. Henry and Jenkins will be recognized at a conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, in October.

JV Educational Consultants is a Michigan-based firm that provides student and faculty development and leadership consulting services to associations, colleges, nonprofit organizations and other institutions. Its Leadership Awards recognize "outstanding leadership within the field of higher education." The committee that selects the awardees considers endorsements from faculty, staff and administrators from across the U.S.

Henry's research focuses on the social contexts and political sociology of education. He joined the University in 2016.

Jenkins studies the relationship between urban spatial transformation and school reform. He joined the University in 2018.


We want to know about your good news. If you, your team or a colleague has won any major awards, been honored nationally or internationally, or accomplished some other major feat that deserves recognition, let us know about it.

To submit your news, please send us an email with the following information:

  • Name of the person, team or unit receiving the honor with full University titles.
  • Information about the award/honor and the organization that granted it. Please include a link to the official announcement of the award/honor.
  • When the honor was announced and when it will be presented (or was presented).
  • A photo of the honoree. If others appear in the photo, please provide their names and identifying information, such as their University title or other affiliation.

Questions? Contact Lo Que Pasa at uaatwork@email.arizona.edu.

Resources for the Media