Awards and Accolades
By Jade Norden, University CommunicationsJenny Lee ranked No. 49 among most influential university-based scholars
Jenny Lee
Arizona International
Jenny Lee, chief international affairs officer and dean of Arizona International, was ranked No. 49 in Education Week's 2026 Rick Hess Straight Up Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings.
The annual list ranks U.S.-based scholars who had the biggest impact on educational practice and policy during the previous year. Each scholar is scored across eight categories, including number of widely cited publications and the number of mentions in U.S. newspapers, Congressional Record, Education Week press and other online media.
Lee received high marks for her publications and web and newspaper mentions.
RHSU Edu-Scholar Rankings were created by Rick Hess, author of Education Week's Rick Hess Straight Up opinion blog and director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
U of A research team received NSF I-Corps award
(From left) Gustavo de Oliveira Almeida, Winslow Burleson and Steven Wood
A University of Arizona research team received the Spirit of I-Corps award during their participation in the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program in the fall of 2025.
The award recognizes a research team that best exemplifies the program's core values of hard work, discipline, intellectual honesty and adaptability to customer feedback.
The research team included Winslow Burleson, professor in the College of Information Science, Gustavo de Oliveira Almeida, research laboratory manager and entrepreneurial lead, and Steven Wood, mentor in residence at Tech Launch Arizona. Their research aims to advance immersive simulation technology in healthcare training.
The NSF I-Corps program is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous entrepreneurial training experiences available to academic researchers.
Read more about the award in a story on the Tech Launch Arizona website.
Brand Development recognized by ICLA
Laura Little (left), associate director for trademarks and licensing, accepts the International Collegiate Licensing Association's 2026 Synergy Award in the External Collaboration/Impact/Commitment to Licensing category at the ICLA Desert Cactus Winter Symposium in January.
The University of Arizona's Brand Development team received the International Collegiate Licensing Association's 2026 Synergy Award in the External Collaboration/Impact/Commitment to Licensing category at the ICLA Desert Cactus Winter Symposium in January.
The award recognizes institutions for excellence in partnerships, education and innovative licensing strategies that advance their brand.
The team, which is part of University Marketing and Communications, was recognized for its Old Main Mercado program, strengthening connections with the business community in Tucson and throughout Southern Arizona.
ICLA, managed by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, promotes the collegiate licensing industry through professional education and development.