The University of Arizona Alumni Association has named Dr. Joan Ashcraft (BM ’74, MM ’76, Ph.D. ’86) the College of Fine Arts 2025 Alumni of the Year.
“As a distinguished three-time graduate of our School of Music, Dr. Ashcraft has made an extraordinary impact on the arts landscape in Tucson and beyond,” said Andy Schulz, dean of the College of Fine Arts.
She holds a Bachelor of Music, a Master of Music Education, and a Doctorate in Music Education, all from the University of Arizona.
“Since obtaining her degrees, she has dedicated herself to advocating for the arts, both in educational settings and within the community,” said Schulz. “Her commitment to integrate arts into K-12 education has transformed the experiences of countless students and educators alike.
“She collaborates with our School of Music to mentor future educators and forge pathways for careers in arts and music. Her accolades, including the Arizona Music Educator of the Year and the Governor’s Award for Arts in Education, reflect her profound impact.”
This past December Dr. Ashcraft discussed the four key life skills that have guided her journey as a performing artist, educator, researcher, administrator, and arts advocate as the CFA Fall Graduation keynote speaker.
“This is an honor of which I am most humbled and flattered,” said Ashcraft. “The most significant life lesson learned while enrolled in the School of Music was the ability to be resilient. The performing arts requires one to face challenging tryouts, stressful competitions, and uncomfortable interviews. I often faced others who were more skilled than I, but I learned to never give up, stay focused and avoid distraction. Working through disappointment improved my skills and built confidence for public performance. In the end, these experiences fed my soul.”
Dr. Joan Ashcraft Bio
Dr. Joan Ashcraft serves as director of Fine and Performing Arts for the Tucson Unified School District where she oversees arts educators and teaching artists, provides training and mentoring, supervises multicultural resources, provides musical instruments for students, and administers the Arizona Seal of Arts Proficiency for qualified high school seniors. She is the co-creator and director of Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA), recognized nationally for its integration research and student achievement results. The model has been featured in several national publications. OMA Schools have been observed by numerous institutions, as well as visiting educators from China.
- Served on the Kennedy Center Partners in Education Advisory Committee
- Participated in the Metropolitan Opera and Smithsonian Institution Education programs
- Was a cadre member for the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative
- Earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 1986 from the University of Arizona
- Studied piano at the Paris Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France
- Studied pipe organ in Salt Lake City and at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey
Dr. Ashcraft has received the University of Arizona Faculty of Fine Arts Distinguished Alumni Award, was named the Arizona Music Educators Association Music Educator of the Year and Music Administrator of the Year and twice received the Governor’s Arts in Education Award. OnMedia Productions presented her with the Arts Hero Award, and the Rotary Club of Tucson honored her with its Four Way Test “Service Above Self” Award.
Past CFA Alumni of the Year
2024-25 … Joan L. Ashcraft (BM ’74, MM ’76, Ph.D. ’86)
2023-24 … Barbara Grygutis (BFA ’68, MFA ’71)
2022-23 … John F. Meyer ‘82
2020-21 … Lindsay Utz ’03 | video
2019 … Brad Slater ‘96 | video
2018 … Guy Moon | video
2017 … Sue Scott | video
2015 … Craig Huston | video
2014 … Jeffrey Haskell ’64 | video
2013 … Elizabeth Murphy Bruns ’67 | video
2012 … Henry E. Plimack
2011 … Peter D. Murrieta ‘88