Elevate the Honors College
Support An Honors Initiative!

The NAU Honors College exemplifies inclusive excellence by challenging students to be engaged citizens and stewards of our local and global community. From participating in the Grand Canyon Semester to designing their unique Honors Capstone projects, NAU Honors College students pursue an individualized education designed to make a difference. Learn more about the NAU Honors College!

SUPPORT AN HONORS INITIATIVE WITH YOUR #AXEOFKINDNESS

The José Ángel Cruz (JAC) Honors Emergency Relief Fund

The JAC Fund provides short-term, emergency financial assistance to Honors students facing unexpected hardships. This fund provides grants to support basic needs such as food, clothing, and essential transportation, helping students stay focused on their studies during challenging times. 

Honors Native American Summer Research Program

Open to NAU Native American and Indigenous undergraduates from all disciplines, the Honors Native American Summer Research Program (HNASRP) provides tuition and fees, housing and meal plan, peer mentoring, and academic programming for students while they pursue supervised research under a faculty mentor. Learn more about this program on the NISF webpage.

The Sarah Henry Miller Fund for International Experience

The Sarah Henry Miller (SHM) Fund enables Honors students to study abroad and engage in international opportunities by assisting with travel expenses, out-of-pocket costs, and international professional development.

Honors College Fund for Innovation

This fund provides funding for a variety of initiatives within the College, including undergraduate research, capstone projects, and internships.  

HONORS COLLEGE CHALLENGE  
Donate to any fund within the Honors College, and once Honors receives 25 gifts, the following contributions will be released to the college: 

  • Ms. Samia Ashraf will donate $100,000 for faculty support
  • Dean Kevin Gustafson will donate $1,000 to The José Ángel Cruz (JAC) Honors Emergency Relief Fund 
  • Arizona Lottery and Brian and Cheryl Connors will donate $57,000 to the Native American Summer Research Program 
  • The Honors College Leadership Board will make a combined donation to funds of their choosing

NAU GIVING DAY EVENT

Honors students, join Dean Gustafson for ice cream to celebrate NAU Giving Day! This event begins at 3 pm in the Honors College Courtyard on May 1. 

 

Give Early
Elevate Honors Excellence: Honors College Challenge
$101,000
Elevate Honors Excellence: Honors College Challenge
Unlock additional support for Honors students and faculty by joining Samia Ashraf and Dean Kevin Gustafson in their commitment to excellence. Once 25 gifts are made to any Honors College funds, we will release generous gifts of $100,000 from Samia Ashraf to support Honors Faculty Support and $1,000 from Dean Kevin Gustafson to the José Ángel Cruz Honors Emergency Relief Fund. Join us in elevating Honors education at NAU and maximizing your impact on #NAUGivingDay!
2 / 25 Gifts
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Patricia Hunter Last Mile Challenge
$26,000
Patricia Hunter Last Mile Challenge
Laurie Mittenthal has created a new fund in memory of her mother and alumna, Patricia Hunter Mittenthal, ’89. The Patricia Hunter Last Mile Fund supports currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students who are members of federally recognized Native American Tribes and may be facing unexpected costs or financial hardship in their final year at NAU. She has pledged to release $26,000 to this fund once we receive 15 gifts to any fund for Native Americans on Giving Day. Thank you to Laurie for providing this challenge!
0 / 15 Gifts
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True Blue: NAU Alumni Association Board
$11,750
True Blue: NAU Alumni Association Board
Help us start off the day with our first milestone and show the Lumberjack community we are True Blue! When we reach 125 alumni gifts of $125 or more on #NAUGivingDay the following NAU Alumni Association Board members will release a collective $11,750 in gifts. Thank you to: Blaise Caudill ’13; Dave Cook; Trina George, ’09; Alex Gutierrez, '85 '90; Jana Harper, ’90; Veronica Hipolito, '97, '02; Jim Jayne, ’91; "Kari" Kent, '91; Rick Koch, ’72; Mary O'Driscoll, ’82; Nancy Serenbetz, '75; Maggie Thom, ’12; , Wayne Watson, ’84; and (3) anonymous members. Go Jacks!
6 / 125 Gifts
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Empower Indigenous Excellence: Arizona Lottery & Connors Family Challenge
$57,000
Empower Indigenous Excellence: Arizona Lottery & Connors Family Challenge
Unlock $57,000 in support for the Honors Native American Summer Research Program by joining the Arizona Lottery and the Connors family in their commitment to Indigenous student success. Once 25 gifts are made to either the Honors College, Office of Undergraduate Research, or the Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement, the Arizona Lottery will contribute $25,000 and the Connors family will contribute $32,000 to this interdisciplinary research program. This transformative initiative empowers Indigenous students to excel in higher education through impactful summer research projects. Join us in supporting Indigenous excellence at NAU on #NAUGivingDay!
16 / 25 Gifts
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Lumberjack Pride: NAU Foundation Board Challenge
$25,000
Lumberjack Pride: NAU Foundation Board Challenge
Join the NAU Foundation board and show your pride with a gift to support this challenge on #NAUGivingDay. The following NAU Foundation Board members have committed to a collective impact totaling $25,000, which will be released when 125 first time donors make a gift. Thank you to: Lisa Bagwell; Eric Baker; Teresa Bartels; Bob Bement; Bob Braudy; Robin Braun; Booker Evans; Victoria Fimea; Bill Heibel; Mary Huntley; Tim Kinney; Any Peña; Rick Rodriguez; Katrina Rogers; Steve Sanghi; Tony Tewelis; and (1) anonymous member. WE Are Lumberjacks!
95 / 125 Gifts
Areas of Impact
Elevate Lumberjack Career Readiness Elevate Academic Excellence Elevate Lumberjack Community & Wellness Elevate Access to Education Elevate the College of Education Elevate the College of Nursing Elevate the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Elevate the Honors College Elevate the W.A. Franke College of Business Elevate the College of Environment, Forestry & Natural Sciences Elevate the College of Arts & Letters Elevate NAU Athletics Elevate NAU Online Elevate NAU Academic and Workforce Alliances Elevate Native American & Indigenous Advancement Elevate KNAU Elevate the Cline Library Elevate Campus Support Elevate the Sanghi College of Engineering Elevate Student Groups & Organizations Elevate Graduate and Professional Studies at NAU Elevate NAU Yuma Elevate the College of Health and Human Services
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