Arizona Arts Live, Center for Creative Photography, College of Fine Arts, School of Art, School of Dance, School of Music, School of Theatre, Film & Television, University of Arizona Museum of Art

Celebrating excellence. Outstanding faculty and staff were honored at the College of Fine Arts’ 2024 Fall Convocation with awards recognizing exceptional achievements across a range of categories, from teaching and mentoring to service and leadership.

Faculty Awards

Charles and Irene Putnam Excellence in Teaching Award 
Considered the college’s most prestigious recognition of excellence in teaching, as demonstrated by outstanding achievement in teaching during the eligible review period. 

Don Traut
School of Music 

James R. Anthony Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching
Presented to a member of the college faculty, who has consistently demonstrated a sustained level of outstanding achievement in teaching. This is an award to recognize the longevity of excellence. 

Elizabeth Schauer
School of Music 

Roy A. & Stardust K. Johnson Faculty Mentoring Award
Presented to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding faculty-to-faculty and/or faulty-to-graduate teaching assistant mentoring. 

Kristin Dauphinais
School of Music 

CFA Undergraduate Advising / Mentoring Award 
Presented to a faculty member (adjuncts and academic professionals), or graduate teaching assistants, who exhibit true excellence in undergraduate advising or mentoring. 

Shane Riches
School of Theatre, Film & Television

Staff Awards 

Donna Altenhof Award 
Presented to a College of Fine Arts staff member (or one of its units), for a minimum of eight years and whose performance has been at an exemplary level of excellence for a sustained period. 

Megan Bartel
School of Art 

Excellence in Service | Community Engagement 

Denisse Brito
Center for Creative Photography

Excellence in Service | Office & Administration

Violet Arma
University of Arizona Museum of Art 

Excellence in Service | Student Services 

Matt Denney
College of Fine Arts 

Excellence in Service | Technical and Facilities 

Kristen Wheeler
School of Dance 

Shirley J. Heafy Award 
Presented to a staff member who has worked at Arizona Arts or its presenting units for no more than three years and whose overall performance has been at an exemplary level of excellence. 

Jason Depizzo
School of Dance 

Excellence in Fundraising Award
Presented to a faculty or administration who makes an important contribution to fundraising endeavors. Selection is made by the development office with approval by the Dean. 

Olivia Miller 
University of Arizona Museum of Art 

Excellence in Fundraising Award – Staff 
Presented to staff member who makes an important contribution to fundraising endeavors. The recipient is selected by the development office, with approval by the Dean. 

Kimberly Moore 
College of Fine Arts

New faces to Arizona Arts staff

  • Christopher Litton // Ticket Office Assistant Manager // AAlive
  • Aiden Avery // Executive Assistant // CCP
  • Lizzie Guevara // Photographic Education Fellow // CCP
  • Kappy Mintie // Head of Collections // CCP
  • Natasha Campa // Administrative Assistant // Art
  • Dan Howarth // Senior Technical Director // Dance
  • Pearl Rea // Theatre and Facilities Manager // Dance
  • Rick Chavez // Audio Production Coordinator // Music
  • Courtney Ann Dodge // Bands Office Coordinator // Music
  • Meily Mendez // Academic Advisor // Music
  • Cymone Vega // Piano Technician I // Music
  • Kensey Coleman // Charge Artist, Paint Shop // TFTV
  • James Hesla // Scene Shop Assistant, Carpentry // TFTV
  • Hannah Meyer // Academic Advisor // TFTV
  • Michael Mulcahy // Interim Associate Director | TFTV
  • Marylou George // Office Specialist // CFA
  • Gina Jones // Accountant | CFA
  • Yuri Makino // Interim, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs // CFA