When it comes to applying for graduate school or jobs, a strong letter of reference can give a candidate a major edge, says Mary Frances Kuper, associate director of career education. If you're asked to write a letter of reference for a student or colleague, it's important to do your homework on the candidate and the opportunity, and to write a letter that is concise and specific, Kuper says.

Congratulations to these recent honorees: Gurtina Besla, Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory; Eduardo Rozo, Department of Physics; Anna Koosmann, School of Architecture; Gary Setzer, School of Art; Alixe Holcomb, Office of Marketing and Brand Management; and Dante Lauretta, Department of Planetary Sciences and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.

Employees who participated in New Start, a summer orientation program for freshmen that is marking its 50th year, reflect on how it helped them get to where they are now. Rafael Meza, a 1987 New Start alumnus who is now assistant dean for undergraduate admissions, credits New Start for helping him overcome academic struggles his freshman year. "That's one of the reasons why a program like New Start is such an important program," he says.

Congratulations to these recent honorees: Agnes Attakai, the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health; Jerry Perry, University Libraries; Sunder Sethuraman and Shankar Venkataramani, College of Science; Linda Denno, UA South; Arizona Public Media; and Teshia Solomon and the Native American Research and Training Center.

Diane Brennan and Deborrah Himsel work with UA leaders to help them reach their highest potential. "Just because somebody decides they want a coach, it doesn't mean something is wrong," Himsel says. "Somebody who wants to be more effective, who wants to drive more engagement with their team or individually ... can benefit from coaching."

Faculty are invited to provide feedback on several proposed policy revisions, most of which go into effect July 1. The proposal generating the most interest addresses concerns about a potential conflict of interest for faculty who author the textbooks that students in their classes purchase and use.

Elaine Romero, a playwright in the School of Theatre, Film and Television, says she conveys her scholarship by following society's conversations and writing plays that reflect them. "I think a good playwright will sometimes seem prophetic," Romero says. "I would say writers will often find themselves weeks, months, years ahead of their time."

Co-teaching is like putting teaching creativity on "hyperdrive," says Paul Blowers, University Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. "Co-teaching led to the fastest and most rapid improvement in my teaching, much more than all my self-reflections and all my efforts over the 15 previous years," Blowers writes in a guest column.

A partnership between UA researchers and Tucson Electric Power has created a model for businesses to assess environmental risks. The interactions with TEP gave UA scientists and students a chance to "connect their expertise to real-world decision-making needs," says Ben McMahan, an assistant research scientist in the Institute of the Environment who was involved with the project.

As director of the Pima County Cooperative Extension, Daniel McDonald focuses his research and work on improving people's health and well-being, with an emphasis on underserved children and adults. "What I love about my job in extension is my ability to connect people," McDonald says.