In Brief: Study Abroad Fair, rural health partnership, Awards for Excellence nominations
Spring Study Abroad Fair to spotlight advising and academic support
The Spring Study Abroad Fair takes place Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bear Down Gym and focuses on the academic and advising support that helps students make study abroad opportunities a reality. This drop-in event is a key opportunity for students considering studying abroad for summer and fall 2026 programs.
This year's Spring Study Abroad Fair takes place Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bear Down Gym
Several U of A colleges will staff tables near related program displays so students can get college- and department-specific guidance on how study abroad fits into their degree plan. Advisors, faculty and staff will be available to talk through timing, requirements and common academic pathways.
The fair is also a major moment for faculty outreach, with strong representation from faculty-led summer programs. Students can connect with faculty and program teams to learn more about program structure, coursework and next steps. The university offers more than 80 international experiences, including exchanges, international internships and research opportunities.
Students can also learn about study abroad funding, including the new Garcia Family Foundation Scholarship for Study Abroad, funded by a transformational $20 million gift commitment to expand access to programs. Dedicated advising will be available at the fair to help students understand eligibility and plan for financing.
Garimella: Rural health partnership a 'moral and economic imperative'
University President Suresh Garimella says the College of Medicine – Phoenix's rural health partnership with Onvida Health offers a model for how the institution can help address physician shortages in rural communities. The partnership, announced in December, establishes a regional medical school branch in Yuma, a community that is a cornerstone of Arizona's economy and the nation's food supply.
The partnership between the College of Medicine – Phoenix and Onvida Health, announced in December, establishes a regional medical school branch in Yuma.
"By educating students in Yuma and connecting their training directly to the region's clinical community, we are creating a self-sustaining pipeline of physicians who will care for this region for decades to come," Garimella wrote in a recent opinion column in the Yuma Sun, co-authored by , president and CEO of Onvida Health.
Garimella also called increasing access to primary care a "moral and economic imperative," adding that the partnership will build a healthier Yuma and a stronger Arizona.
Nominate your colleagues for the Awards for Excellence
Nominations for the 2026 Awards for Excellence, honoring outstanding achievement, collaboration, and campus and community service, are open. Employees can nominate benefits-eligible university staff, teams or organizational units for the awards via Arizona Cultivate through 5 p.m. on Jan. 23.
The Awards for Excellence are presented by the Staff Council with support from the Office of the President. Honorees are selected by a panel of employees who volunteer as judges and will be recognized during an awards ceremony on April 23 at the Student Union Memorial Center South Ballroom.
Complete details and nomination forms are available on the Employee Recognition Committee website.