Awards and Accolades
By Jade Norden, University Marketing and Communications
Helena Rodrigues
Helena A. Rodrigues receives CUPA-HR award
Helena A. Rodrigues, chief human resources officer, received the 2026 Distinguished Service Award from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR).
The award recognizes outstanding leadership in CUPA-HR and the higher education human resources profession.
In addition to her role at the U of A, Rodrigues has served in several CUPA-HR leadership positions, including president of the Arizona Chapter and at-large director on the CUPA-HR board of directors.
CUPA-HR serves higher education human resources professionals through professional development, advocacy and networking.
Four from U of A honored as Fab 50 Nurses
From left to right, Megan Peterson, Pamela Fick, Janine Hinton and Julianne Davis.
Noelle Haro-Gomez
Three College of Nursing faculty members and one Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center researcher were named Fab 50 Nurses as part of the Tucson Nurses Week Foundation's annual gala in May.
Honorees were chosen by their peers for being role models and mentors, demonstrating compassion and contributing to the nursing community and profession.
The U of A recipients include Julianne Davis, lecturer; Pamela Fick, senior lecturer; Janine Hinton, associate clinical professor, all in the College of Nursing; and Megan Peterson, research nurse and project manager with the Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center.
The Tucson Nurses Week Foundation enhances education and research among Tucson-area nurses and celebrates the roles nurses play in the health of the community.
Read an article about the honorees.
Sprouts House earns Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Award
Before (above) and after images of the bungalows at 415 N. Mountain Ave. that were renovated into the Sprouts House in less than a year.
Planning, Design and Construction; Mackenzie Virdee
The Sprouts House received the 2026 Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Award from the Arizona Preservation Foundation during a ceremony on May 30.
The award is presented to individuals, businesses, organizations or projects that make exceptional contributions to preserving Arizona's historic resources.
The Sprouts House, part of the School Garden Workshop, connects Tucson Unified School District students with hands-on nutrition and culinary experiences. It is located in two historic university-owned bungalows that were renovated into a community classroom and a commercial kitchen.
The Arizona Preservation Foundation works with local, state and national partners to promote and protect Arizona's unique heritage.