Innovation Circle: Supporting Future Leaders

Today
Large group of students, faculty and donors stand in a group in a gym, smiling for a photo

Donors and scholars at the 2025 Innovation Circle Reception at the Bear Down Gym

This March, the College of SBS hosted its annual Innovation Circle reception to recognize donors and nearly 50 Innovation Circle Scholars. Student Sabrina Sulaymonova emceed the event. 

Dean Lori Poloni-Staudinger acknowledged members, SBS faculty, leadership, and Advisory Board members in attendance. She also thanked the Innovation Circle Patrons for their generosity in providing scholarships to 48 students this year. 

Poloni-Staudinger emphasized the Innovation Circle’s vital role in supporting student scholars, SBS faculty research, and the college’s emergency operations. She highlighted the SBS Student Completion Fund, which helps students stay enrolled and complete their degrees. 

Randall Holdridge on the left and Tommey Jodie on the right

Donor Randall Holdridge and student scholar, Tommey Jodie

Mackenzie Virdee

“The SBS Student Completion Fund is critical in keeping students on track toward their degrees,” Poloni-Staudinger said. “These funds help students with a $2,500 deficit on their Bursar account, which would otherwise prevent them from registering for classes.” 

Poloni-Staudinger continued, “Through the fund, we have helped 72 students stay enrolled and complete their college degrees.” 

SBS Advisory Board Chair Rowene Aguirre-Medina spoke about supporting students today to prepare them to be the leaders of the future. 

“One day, the recipients of our Innovation Circle dollars will be the people the news media are calling,” Aguirre-Medina said. “These students, whom our ‘today dollars’ are supporting, are on their way to becoming the experts of tomorrow.” 

Kiara Adams stands behind a podium with a UA logo

Kiara Adams

Mackenzie Virdee

Student speaker, Kiara Adams, who maintains a 4.0 GPA, will graduate this spring with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in government and public policy. After graduation, she hopes to work for a local newspaper, covering breaking news or politics. The Daily Wildcat journalist and Arizona Ambassador credited Innovation Circle Patrons as a driving force behind her academic success. 

“Without each of your support, I wouldn’t be up here on this stage tonight,” Adams said. “The support I’ve received throughout my college career is immeasurable, and I thank the Innovative Circle Patrons for this scholarship.”

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Become an Innovation Circle member today! Learn more at https://sbs.arizona.edu/give/innovation-circle