Alum of the Year Award
The Hugh Downs School of Human Communication is Proud to Recognize Its Outstanding Alumni
Annually, our school awards a single Alum of the Year Award to a distinguished graduate who has made significant contributions to their field, has transformed lives through communication, and has been a role model of the Hugh Downs School.
It is the Hugh Downs School’s premier expression of praise and esteem.
2025 Honoree
Tim Vasquez
Tim Vasquez, a 1998 Communication graduate, is the president of Someburros, a popular family-owned restaurant chain with deep roots in Arizona.
A former ASU baseball pitcher who once envisioned a career in sportscasting, Vasquez returned to his family’s business and quickly became known for his inclusive, people-first leadership style. He began his journey promoting Someburros in a donkey costume and learning his abuela’s recipes — and today he leads a growing company that champions employee development, internal promotion, and community connection.
Vasquez often reflects on how his communication degree shaped his leadership style, especially in building relationships and supporting others' growth. In his words, “From conflict negotiation to interpersonal communication, those are all skills you use every single day — both at work and with friends and family.”
He was honored as the 2025 Alumnus of the Year for his commitment to building a values-driven business that reflects the mission of the Hugh Downs School and ASU’s charter.
2023 Honoree
Jodi Low
Jodi Low, a 1994 graduate of the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, is the founder and CEO of U & Improved, an award-winning Scottsdale-based leadership development and training company. Her organization works with Fortune 500 companies, small and medium-sized businesses, and individuals who want to grow, improve their lives, and strengthen their relationships.
She is also the author of From Me to U: Lessons on Life, Leadership, and Living Your Legacy, a book that shares her personal journey and encourages readers to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth.
Jodi has been recognized as one of Arizona’s Outstanding Women in Business by the Phoenix Business Journal and as an Amazing Woman by the Phoenix Suns organization. In 2021, she and her company received the Torch Award for Ethics from the Better Business Bureau.
2022 Honoree
Jennifer Kaplan
Jennifer Kaplan, a 1996 graduate of the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, is the founder and owner of Evolve Public Relations and Marketing, a Scottsdale-based firm she launched in 2010. The company has grown to include 14 employees and more than 90 clients across industries including restaurants, retail, entertainment, real estate, healthcare, legal, and nonprofit sectors.
In 2021, Kaplan established the Jennifer G. Kaplan Endowment Scholarship, which supports Hugh Downs School undergraduates with an interest in public relations. Her contribution advances ASU’s mission of expanding access to higher education and inspires students to pursue careers in communication-focused fields.
Kaplan credits her time at ASU and the Hugh Downs School with shaping her career in meaningful ways. Today, she remains passionate about giving back through mentorship and scholarship support, continuing to invest in the next generation of communication professionals.