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UOPX Alumni Luminary Awards
Celebrating distinguished University of Phoenix alumni
UOPX Alumni Luminary awards
Celebrating distinguished University of Phoenix alumni
The UOPX Alumni Luminaries program honors 76 exceptional alumni each year for their achievements in industry leadership, entrepreneurship and community leadership.
Hear from Provost Dr. John Woods about the UOPX Alumni Luminaries initiative.
The UOPX Alumni Luminaries program honors 76 exceptional alumni each year for their achievements in industry leadership, entrepreneurship and community leadership.
What makes a UOPX Alumni Luminary?
Founded in 1976, University of Phoenix recognizes 76 Alumni Luminaries each year who represent the brightest examples of how a University of Phoenix education can ignite lasting impact. These distinguished University of Phoenix alumni illuminate the path for others as innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders in their fields.
2026 Luminaries awards weekend
On April 17, 2026, 35 visionaries arrived in Phoenix at the AC Hotel Biltmore where they could connect, learn from one another and celebrate their achievements. Here’s a look at the moments and connections that ignited over the weekend.
Event photos
Distinguished UOPX alumni gather for an awards dinner recognizing achievement, innovation and influence.
The event included C-suite leaders from across the country who have made an impact in their workplaces and communities.
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2026 UOPX Alumni Luminaries
Introducing the 2026 class of University of Phoenix Alumni Luminaries.
Previous Luminaries
Get to know the very first class of distinguished UOPX alumni honored for their outstanding achievements in community leadership, industry and entrepreneurship.
Choosing the UOPX Alumni Luminaries
Learn more about the nomination process, selection panel and how honorees are chosen each year.
Lori R | MSN/FNP
Reyes M | BAM
Lisa L | DNP
Nomination process
University of Phoenix invites all alumni, as well as their leaders, friends, mentors and peers, to nominate individuals for this distinguished alumni award. Anyone may nominate an individual who exemplifies the spirit of UOPX alumni excellence.
Selection process
Each year, a dedicated panel selects 76 UOPX alumni whose leadership and impact stand out among the broader alumni community. Honorees will be featured on this site, awarded digital credentials and celebrated at special events.
Meet the 2027 UOPX Alumni Luminaries selection panel
Drawing on their extensive experience in higher education and career development, the 2027 panel selected this year's 76 honorees from a pool of hundreds of remarkable candidates.
John Woods, Ph.D.
Chief Academic Officer & Provost
Dr. John Woods leads academic strategy, innovation and quality across University of Phoenix’s programs, overseeing a team of academic leaders and 2,500+ practitioner faculty. With over 15 years of experience as a CAO and a background in teaching, he holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University and degrees from Carleton University.
Christina Neider, Ed.D.
Vice Provost, Colleges
Dr. Christina Neider brings more than 30 years of leadership in academia, health care, and the U.S. Air Force to her role as Vice Provost of Colleges. She has held several academic leadership roles, most recently serving as dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, where she led programs earning CACREP and CSWE accreditation. She holds a doctorate in higher education leadership and graduate degrees in education and psychology.
Jay Titus
VP & GM, Workforce Solutions Group
Jay Titus leads strategy and operations for workforce development and upskilling solutions nationwide. A recognized thought leader in employer-sponsored education benefits, Jay’s insights have been featured in outlets including Forbes, CFO.com, Human Resource Executive, INC, HRMorning, and FOX Business.
Conwey Casillas
VP, Federal Relations & Public Affairs
Conwey Casillas brings more than 25 years of higher education policy experience to his role as Vice President of Federal and Public Affairs at University of Phoenix, advocating for its 1.3 million alumni, including 175,000+ military graduates. Previously, he held leadership roles at Sallie Mae and the Education Finance Council and served in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Pamela Roggeman, Ed.D.
Dean, College of Education
Dr. Pamela Roggeman, Dean of the College of Education, has helped prepare thousands of future educators nationwide. With 30+ years in education, she is a 2020 Carolyn Warner Legacy Award recipient and a former Arizona Teacher of the Year top-five finalist. She also served as Board President of the Arizona Educational Foundation, championing educational excellence and leadership.
Rodney Luster, Ph.D., LPC
University Research Chair
Dr. Rodney Luster has advanced research and innovation at University of Phoenix since 2012. A University Research Chair and founder of The Phoenix Scholar, he bridges academia and industry through collaborations with IBM and Mayo Clinic. Named to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar roster, he presented research on AI-assisted empathy at the 2026 American Psychological Association convention.
FAQ
The Luminaries refer to an exclusive group of 76 alumni recognized for significant success in their industry, in entrepreneurship or through community leadership. In acknowledgement of their status as Luminaries, they receive:
Digital credentials they can share on networking and social media platforms,
Recognition on the University of Phoenix website, and
An invitation to an annual celebration hosted by the University.
University of Phoenix was founded in 1976. By selecting 76 Luminaries every year, we honor our legacy of serving adult students.
Note: Not all 76 Luminaries are listed here.
Anyone can nominate an alum for the Luminaries by visiting the landing page. Nominations are open annually from September through mid-December. Admittance to the UOPX Alumni Luminaries is determined by a rotating committee of university leadership.
Luminaries must:
Have graduated from the University of Phoenix
Have impacted their industry or organization’s productivity in a measurable way, OR
Have launched, grown and led their own successful business or franchise for more than a year, OR
Have demonstrated a meaningful commitment to improving their community through service, awareness or financial contributions.
Nominees will not be contacted unless they are selected as Luminaries. If you are not selected this year, you can be nominated next year.
You may be nominated and selected in future years, although it is not guaranteed.
All Luminaries will receive a digital badge they can share on social media (e.g., LinkedIn and other platforms) to highlight their achievement and recognition. Inductees who attend the celebratory weekend may be photographed, and those images may be used in select marketing materials.
To ensure impartiality, the selection committee consists of university leaders. Alumni are recognized but not part of the selection committee.
Nothing. Luminaries will be notified of the honor and invited to attend a celebratory weekend event.
They will also receive digital credentials they may choose to share on social platforms. They are under no obligation to share, attend or otherwise participate.