College of Fine Arts faculty are earning major recognition across disciplines, including honors, promotions and new leadership roles.
Nicole Antebi (art) received the “Early Career Scholar Award” for her innovative work at the Wonder Studio at Biosphere 2. Marcos Serafim (art) was named a 2025–26 Udall Center Fellow for SEMIPERMEABLE, a project exploring the HIV/AIDS crisis through digital art. Yuri Makino (TFTV) has been appointed Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Success, after a year of leading on an interim basis. Dr. Amy Kraehe (art) has a new title Associate Vice President for Organizational Excellence and Impact. Eleven faculty members were promoted, including six to full professor—highlighting a year of remarkable faculty achievement.
Antebi earns ‘Early Career Scholar Award’
The School of Art’s Nicole Antebi has been recognized by the University of Arizona with the ‘Early Career Scholar Award.’
Antebi, assistant professor of illustration and animation, earned the honor that recognizes outstanding early career faculty who are at the forefront of their disciplines and make highly valued contributions to the teaching, creative activity, and service priorities set out in the University’s Strategic Plan.
Antebi is co-director of the Wonder Studio at Biosphere 2, a visual storytelling studio, where animation film and data visualization come to together to turn research into compelling narratives. This project allows students to explore Biosphere 2 through microscopy, animation, photography, and video. The studio fosters immersive learning, deepening appreciation for the natural world, and fills a gap in creative science communication by blending humor, data, and cinematic storytelling.
She is also a 2025 Fulbright-García Robles U.S. Studies Chair finalist, a 2024 recipient of the Integrative Arts Research Fellowship and a 2023-24 Diana Liverman Scholars Mentor. She is serving as the interim chair of the Illustration, Design and Animation department.
Serafim selected for Udall Fellows program
Congratulations to Marcos Serafim, assistant professor in the School of Art, on being named a 2025–26 Udall Center Fellow. The Udall Center Fellows Program supports University of Arizona faculty pursuing public policy-related research by giving them time and resources to focus on their work.
Serafim’s project, SEMIPERMEABLE, blends digital art, data visualization, and documentary storytelling to examine the HIV/AIDS crisis along the U.S.–Mexico border. His work focuses on how issues like healthcare access, race, and class intersect, especially for queer-mestiza/o individuals living with HIV. Using interactive digital tools, Serafim and his team create real-time visual and sound experiences that explore the idea of “semi-permeable” barriers—physical, social, and informational—that shape life in border communities.
This fellowship will help Serafim expand his research and public engagement through new installations, performances, and funding opportunities. His project challenges traditional research methods by centering emotional, sensory, and artistic experiences in the way we understand data.
Leadership News
During this current academic year, Yuri Makino has served as Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Success for the College of Fine Arts. Beginning on July 1, she will assume this role on a permanent basis.
Makino served as associate director of the School of Theatre, Film & Television from 2011 to 2024, and in 2018-19 she was appointed interim co-director for the school. Yuri’s teaching has centered on directing for the screen and on screenwriting, and she played a central role in the development and successful launch of the online B.A. in Film degree. She recently completed the documentary Rough & Tumble: Taking Play Seriously, which has been featured at both national and international film festivals and is set for distribution through the educational distributor BullFrog Films. She is at work on a feature-length documentary entitled “America’s Health: Welcome to the Game,” for which she was named a 2023-24 Udall Fellow.
Dr. Amy Kraehe, who has served as Associate Vice President for Equity in the Arts since 2021, has been appointed Associate Vice President for Organizational Excellence and Impact.
In her previous role, Dr. Kraehe championed programs and practices across Arizona Arts, that supported and expanded opportunities for all in terms of funding events, recognizing excellence and building a roadmap for future action plans. She conducted a historic climate survey, launched programs, like the SALON event, Race/Remix podcast and the JustArts Fellowship. Her new position reflects a broader commitment to embedding excellence and accountability across all aspects of the arts enterprise.
Faculty Promotions
Dean Andy Schulz recently announced promotions that went to 11 faculty members, who have been promoted in rank, effective fall 2025.
“Faculty advancement through rank is arguably the most important work we do. It involves not only careful evaluation but also mentoring and support on the journey to these important milestones,” said Andy Schulz, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “I am grateful for the deep engagement of all involved, including the many faculty who served this year on review committees at the school, college, and university levels; our school directors; David Taylor, associate dean for faculty affairs; and Tracy Wynn, who so ably assists in all aspects of this complicated and detail-oriented enterprise.”
Promotion to Full Professor
Ted Buchholz (Music)
Tammy Dyke-Compton (Dance)
Yuri Makino (TFTV)
Michael Mulcahy (TFTV)
Morris Palter (Music)
Elaine Romero (TFTV)
Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure
Kay He (Music)
Jeehey Kim (Art)
Alex Macias (Art)
Marissa Olegario (Music)
Promotion to Associate Professor of Practice (CT)
Matt Marcus (TFTV)