On Wednesday, May 6, from 4:30 to 7: 30 p.m., the University of Arizona Eller College of Management presents its 2026 Eller Partners Summit at the Arizona Sands Club, at 565 N. Cherry Avenue, Suite #Fl 5. Hosted by the Eller Partnerships Office, the event celebrates the power of partnerships in experiential learning and highlights the power of strategic partnerships in driving innovation, talent and real-world impact.
The theme of this year’s panel is Turning Data into Decisions. In addition to panel discussions, networking opportunities and showcases of student experiential learning projects, the event features a reception and awards ceremony that recognizes outstanding contributions and partnership excellence.
“This event offers attendees insights into how Eller’s Immersion Learning Program connects students with companies to deliver actionable, high-value outcomes,” said Karthik Kannan, dean and Halle Chair in Leadership of the Eller College. “It also serves as a celebration of the achievements of students and partners who exemplify the spirit of collaboration.”
The awards ceremony portion of the event focuses on the following recognitions:
Partner of the Year Awards — These awards honor the valued partnerships that have set a benchmark for excellence and recognize organizations that have demonstrated strategic collaboration, deep engagement and a shared commitment to student success. This year’s honorees are Banner Health and Republic Services.
Ambassador of the Year Award — This award honors an outstanding individual whose dedication and influence have significantly advanced the reach and impact of the Eller Partnerships Office through meaningful engagement, relationship-building and unwavering advocacy. The Ambassador of the Year exemplifies what it means to be a true ambassador by bridging academia and industry. This year, the award will be presented to Neelakshi Mohta, senior director, transformation, Honeywell Aerospace.
Faculty Advisor of the Year — Honoring an outstanding faculty member whose commitment to mentorship and experiential education has made a lasting impact on students and partners alike, the award recipient exemplifies excellence in bridging classroom knowledge with meaningful, real-world experiences. The 2026 Faculty Advisor of the Year award winner is Seokjun Youn, assistant professor of Management Information Systems. Youn led the first Immersion Learning Project in the spring of 2023.
Event format is as follows:
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Registration and networking
5:30 to 6:15 p.m. — Panel discussion: Turning Data into Decisions
6:15 p.m. — Partner of the Year Award
The cost for this event is $84.34 per person, including fees. For more about this event and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-eller-partners-summit-turning-data-into-decisions-tickets-1983388202505?aff=oddtdtcreator
For more about the Eller College of Management, visit https://eller.arizona.edu/.
