{"id":78520,"date":"2026-08-04T14:43:04","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T21:43:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/?p=78520"},"modified":"2026-08-24T14:37:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T21:37:28","slug":"in-the-spotlight-august-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/in-the-spotlight-august-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"In the Spotlight: August 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the Spotlight:\u00a0August 2026<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kudos to these faculty,\u202fstaff\u202fand programs.\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do you have a spotlight item to share with the NAU community?\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">E-mail your announcements to\u202f<\/span><a href=\"mailto:Inside@nau.edu\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Inside@nau.edu<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u202for use\u202four\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.nau.edu\/news-tip\/#.YEjwNWhKg2w\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">online submission form<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Quarterback\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ty Pennington<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0was\u00a0included on the Panini Senior Bowl Top 300 list. He is one of 25\u00a0quarterbacks\u00a0on the\u00a0preseason\u00a0watch list for the preeminent college football all-star game\u00a0and one of the only\u00a0quarterbacks\u00a0from the\u00a0Football Championship Subdivision.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ph.D.\u00a0student\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cat Alberts\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">was the recipient of the Inaugural Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship Award from the Native Peoples\u2019 Wildlife Management Working Group of the Wildlife\u00a0Society.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NAU\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">was recognized as one of Money\u2019s Best Colleges in\u00a0America\u00a02026. This analysis\u00a0showcases\u00a0the country\u2019s top 735\u00a0colleges\u00a0based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial\u00a0aid<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0alumni salaries.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cline Library\u2019s Special Collections and Archives\u00a0(SCA)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0made\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/08\/18\/travel\/grand-canyon-colorado-river-rafting.html?unlocked_article_code=1.61A.6azN.hsGpMEwtLnAT&amp;smid=url-share\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The New York Times<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">! Heather Hansman, author of the article \u201cRafting a River in Flux Through the Grand Canyon\u201d and former KNAU reporter Melissa Sevigny, author of \u201cBrave the Wild River,\u201d discussed their use of SCS resources in their research and discussed it in the article. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NAU football<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0ranked\u00a0No.\u00a024 in the American Football Coaches Associate FCS Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll.\u00a0Earlier this month, NAU ranked\u00a0No.\u00a025\u00a0in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25, giving the Lumberjacks their second consecutive preseason national ranking.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NAU\u00a0alumna\u00a0and former faculty member,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Edythe Weeks<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, was selected to present four research presentations at the Scientific Committee on\u00a0Antarctic\u00a0Research Open Science Conference in Norway. Her work focuses on equity,\u00a0inclusion\u00a0and the\u00a0geopolitical future of the \u201cPivotal Global Commons\u201d (Arctic\u00a0Antarctica\u00a0and\u00a0Outer\u00a0Space).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Diana Coleman<\/strong>, associate teaching professor in the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies,\u00a0participated\u00a0as the keynote speaker in the international conference \u201cCamps, Belonging, and Abolition Democracy\u201d at the 3<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Graz\/Puerto Rico International Conference on Human Rights.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">More than 20 students from the School of Communication were selected in 11 categories and 14 nominations across Communication Media Film, Journalism and Sports Adventure Media and Visual Communication Animation. In the College Newscast category are <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jadelyn Narido<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dylan Mishima<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as anchors,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Iceshya Tanaka<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as producer,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Kayleigh Doyle<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0as meteorologist and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Alyssa Munoz<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0as sports analyst.\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ashley Hinchy<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Reese Clarke<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0are nominated in the College Non-fiction Long Form category for the photography and production of \u201cWhat Dries in a News Desert?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ariel Reighard<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is nominated as director\/animator for Stella and the Stars in the Short Form category. Reighart and <strong>Natalia Fletcher<\/strong> are nominated as animators in the College Commercial category for &#8220;Funk.a.Tronica.&#8221; In the College Sports Story category, <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Alyssa Munoz<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0(reporter),\u00a0<\/span>Reese Clarke<span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0(photographer)\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Ashley Hinchy<span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0(photographer) are nominated for \u201cNAU Swimmer-Chef,\u201d while\u00a0<\/span>Reese Clark<span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0(reporter) and\u00a0<\/span>Ashley Hinchy<span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0(photographer) are nominated for \u201cFootball and Family.\u201d In the College Animation\/Graphics\/Special Effects category,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Alessandra Morales<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0is nominated for \u201cNosferatu Title Sequence\u201d and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Anna Kellar<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0for \u201cRoad Trip.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Hope Deaver<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0is nominated for College Director for \u201cTeeth\u201d and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Aspen Drake-Frailer<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0is nominated for College Photographer for \u201cCynical Skin.\u201d In the College Talent category,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Olivia Tell<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0is nominated for \u201cTeeth\u201d and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Austin Hull<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0for \u201cPast Tense.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Bradley Moses<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0is nominated in the College Writer category for \u201cPast Tense.\u201d The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter 2026\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rockymountainemmy.org\/student-awards\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Student Production Awards Ceremony<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0is scheduled for Sept.\u00a019.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Forward<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Micala\u00a0Boex<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0from the NAU soccer team\u00a0was named the 2026 Big Sky Preseason Most Valuable Player.\u00a0Boex\u00a0also received a spot on the Preseason All-Conference Team.\u00a0NAU\u00a0was picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Gerard van Belle<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, research professor in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences co-hosted Science Track panels at the Phoenix Fan Fusion\u00a0on \u201cThe Wright Stuff: The Science\u00a0of Flight,\u201d\u00a0\u201cI am on a curiosity voyage and I need my paddles to travel: Scientist looks\u00a0at\u00a0\u2018\u2019Stranger Things\u201d and \u201cBut it was a scientific poke with a very scientific\u00a0stick!:\u00a0The\u00a0Science of\u00a0\u2018Project Hail Mary.\u2019\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Andrea Gonzalez Sotelo<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, assistant director of Arizona GEAR UP at NAU,\u00a0was\u00a0one of two recipients of the 2026 National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP)\/GEAR UP Professional Leader of the Year Award at the NCCEP\/GEAR UP Annual Conference in Washington, D. C. Gonzalez Sotelo was nominated by GEAR UP director\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Robert Neese<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0for her exceptional leadership, commitment to student success and contributions to collage access across Arizona.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_78521\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-78521\" style=\"width: 525px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2026\/08\/3865_public_service_academy_20260730.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-78521\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2026\/08\/3865_public_service_academy_20260730.jpg\" alt=\"Ginger Spencer (Assistant City Manager, City of Phoenix), Paul Helford (NAU School of Communications Emeritus Faculty), Adrian Fontes (Arizona Secretary of State), Sara Rinfret (NAU Master of Public Administration Program Director, Professor, Politics &amp; International Affairs), Yvonne Luna (NAU Vice Provost for Academic &amp; Workforce Development), Eric Deschamps (NAU Director of Workforce Development), Nicole Lance (CEO, Lance Strategies &amp; Interim Public Management)\" width=\"525\" height=\"298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2026\/08\/3865_public_service_academy_20260730.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2026\/08\/3865_public_service_academy_20260730-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2026\/08\/3865_public_service_academy_20260730-768x435.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-78521\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Left to right: Ginger Spencer (Assistant City Manager, City of Phoenix), Paul Helford (NAU School of Communications Emeritus Faculty), Adrian Fontes (Arizona Secretary of State), Sara Rinfret (NAU Master of Public Administration Program Director, Professor, Politics &amp; International Affairs), Yvonne Luna (NAU Vice Provost for Academic &amp; Workforce Development), Eric Deschamps (NAU Director of Workforce Development), Nicole Lance (CEO, Lance Strategies &amp; Interim Public Management)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NAU welcomed more than 150 public service professionals, managers, and executive leaders from across Arizona for the inaugural High Country Public Service Academy (HCPSA), a first-of-its-kind professional development experience designed to strengthen leadership, innovation, and collaboration across the public sector. Hosted by NAU&#8217;s Master of Public Administration\u00a0program in partnership with NAU Continuing Education and the School of Communication,\u00a0the\u00a0inaugural academy welcomed\u00a0a number of\u00a0Arizona leaders and public servants, including Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Arizona Board of Regent Steve Peru, Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett, Flagstaff City Manager Joanne Keene, Mesa City Manager Scott Butler, Phoenix Assistant City Manager Ginger Spencer and Sedona City Manager Anette Spickard, among other distinguished speakers from government, higher education and the nonprofit sector.\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sara\u00a0Rinfret<\/span><\/b>, professor in the Department of Politics and International Affairs,<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0led the\u00a0event.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Diego Mu\u00f1oz<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0assistant professor in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences,\u00a0authored\u00a0the article\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2606.20803\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cPlanet-Planet Secular Migration Predicts a Stellar Obliquity-Period Anti-Correlation\u201d<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0that was published in\u00a0the AAS Journals. The article provides a fossil record of hot Jupiter migration.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Will Grundy<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, research professor in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences,\u00a0authored the\u00a0article\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2607.27589\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cRotation and Mutual Eclipse Events Season in the Kuiper Belt\u201d<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0will be published\u00a0in the Astronomical Journal, while his article\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2607.05600\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cTracing the source of carbon oxides on the large moons of Uranus\u201d<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0was accepted\u00a0in the AAS Planetary Science Journal.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Professors <strong>Ma<\/strong><\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rk Loeffler<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Steve Tegler<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Will Grundy<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and graduate student\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Will Burris<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0from the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences\u00a0published the article\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.3847\/PSJ\/ae81af\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cInfrared Band Strength of Molecular Oxygen in Astrophysical Ices\u201d<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in The Planetary Science Journal.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Josh Emery<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, professor in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lucas McClure<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and NAU alum\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brittany Harvison<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0co-authored the\u00a0article\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2607.16518\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cThe Polana-Eulalia Complex with JWST NIRSpec: Connections to Bennu, Ryugu, and Outer Solar System Bodies,\u201d<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0which\u00a0was accepted by the Planetary Science Journal.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"search-results-excerpt-link\" href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/in-the-spotlight-august-2026\/\">In the Spotlight:\u00a0August 2026\u00a0 Kudos to these faculty,\u202fstaff\u202fand programs.\u202f\u202f\u00a0 Do you have a spotlight item to share with the NAU community?\u202f\u202f\u00a0 E-mail your announcements to\u202fInside@nau.edu,\u202for use\u202four\u202fonline submission form.\u202f\u202f\u00a0 Quarterback\u00a0Ty Pennington\u00a0was\u00a0included on the Panini Senior Bowl Top 300 list. He is one of 25\u00a0quarterbacks\u00a0on the\u00a0preseason\u00a0watch list for the preeminent college football all-star game\u00a0and one of the&hellip;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3019,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-78520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-spotlight"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78520","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3019"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78520"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78631,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78520\/revisions\/78631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}