Annual Alumni Survey
If you haven’t submitted your annual survey for us, it’s not too late. Check your email for your personalized link sent on Aug. 6.
Annual Scholar Retreat
Last week, the Flinn Scholars gathered for our annual retreat in a beautiful new setting at Friendly Pines in the forest of Prescott. The change of scenery added to the magic of the experience as current Scholars welcomed the Class of 2025 and strengthened bonds across all four classes before the school year begins.
As alumni, you know how meaningful this time together can be. The retreat remains a space for Scholars to step away from daily routines, have fun, share talents, and build the friendships that define our community. This year’s highlights included:
- Matching peer mentors with mentees, in an initiative led by our Alumni Council.
- Courage- and strength-testing adventures on the climbing wall, zip line, and giant swing.
- An unforgettable Bollywood dance lesson from Gayatri Sadachar (‘15).
- Lightning Talks on topics ranging from Tucson restaurant recommendations and unsolved math equations to the definition of a sandwich (this one got a standing ovation).
- A master class in presence from Ravi Ram (‘09).
We also upheld two beloved traditions: the always-inspiring talent show, which proved that our Scholars’ creativity and skill extend far beyond academics, and the fiercely contested tug-of-war championship, with the Class of 2025 proudly taking home the trophy.
The week was filled with laughter, courage, learning, and connection, offering an inspiring reminder of the traditions you helped shape and the vibrant community you continue to be part of.
September Alumni Hour features 2006 Scholar Wylie Timmerman
12-1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12 (Arizona time)
Join us for our next Alumni Hour as Sara Zervos (’87) interviews Wylie Timmerman (’06). Wylie is an experienced data scientist, transportation planner, and programmer. A data science manager and technical lead at Foursquare ITP, Wylie is dedicated to furthering sustainable transportation. We look forward to learning more about how his undergraduate years at ASU, which included study abroad experiences in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Japan, and graduate studies at Princeton influenced his current career path.
Don’t forget the Aug. 18 Alumni Hour with Ryan Johnson (’02), CEO of Culdesac. There is still time to RSVP.
Want to check out previous sessions? Watch them on our YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on Spotify/Apple.
July Alumni Hour features 2009 Scholar Nesima Aberra
4-5 p.m., Monday, July 21 (Arizona time)
Join us for our July Alumni Hour as Sara Zervos (’87) interviews Nesima Aberra (’09), a writer and digital strategist working at the intersection of media and social impact. Based in the DC-Metro Area, Nesima is currently Vice President of Digital and Content at Change Consulting with past roles at The Atlantic and the Center for Public Integrity. She’ll share her thoughts on the human relationship with media, philanthropy and social impact, and how creative writing and multidisciplinary art is embedded in her life.
Seattle Regional Gathering
Our Seattle gathering brought together Flinn Scholar alumni spanning from 1987 to 2017. Attendees spent the evening reminiscing and sharing fond memories of Arizona and the Flinn Scholar community. We’re grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to making the gathering special. A big thank you to alum Lauren Johnston (‘09) for her efforts and to Alumni Council member Aidan McGirr (‘16) for his support with organizing.
More to come! Many alumni expressed interest in organizing a regional gathering in this month’s alumni survey, so we anticipate promoting more of these opportunities in the months ahead.
Job Opportunities
Susan Luu (’87), shared three new roles at her company. TriNet is hiring a:
- Director, Business Applications – Process Automation/AI
- Business Application Owner (Oracle Treasury/Billing)
- Business Application Owner (Oracle Enterprise Performance Management)
Fellowship Recommendation for Early-career Flinn Scholars
A fellow alum recommended that we share this opportunity:
Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE) offers intensive, two-week programs designed for graduate students and early-career professionals in the fields of Business, Clergy, Design & Technology, Journalism, Law, and Medicine that challenge participants to recognize their ethical responsibilities as future leaders and professionals with influence.
Alumni Voices
Arielle Silverman, Ph.D.
Flinn Scholar Class of 2003
Arizona State University
Q: Will you share a little about your current role and what excites you most about your work?
I direct the research team at the American Foundation for the Blind, a national nonprofit working to create equal opportunities and expand possibilities for blind people like me. I get to lead a team of smart, motivated, mission-oriented researchers and student fellows, most of whom are also blind. Our research directly influences policies protecting the rights of blind and low-vision Americans and ensuring equal access to technology.
Q: How did being a Flinn Scholar shape your academic and/or career path?
I think the biggest impact of my Flinn experience was being assigned an official mentor, Dr. Jane Maienschein at ASU. Her guidance was invaluable in helping me organize my scattered ideas and passions into a coherent plan for undergraduate research and postgraduate study.
Q: Is there a project, achievement, or experience you’re especially proud of?
In 2021, I self-published a memoir chronicling lots of teachable moments from my childhood and building a vision of disability justice. You can learn more about my book “Just Human: The Quest for Disability Wisdom, Respect, and Inclusion” here.
Q: What impact do you hope to make in your field or community in the coming years?
I hope to keep putting out influential research studies that help shape technology and policy development, and I also hope to keep empowering blind people to go into research careers.
Q: What’s one unexpected skill you picked up during college that you still use today?
Early in college, I made a conscious decision to schedule eight hours for sleep each night, no matter how busy I was. I also took a full day off from studying every week. I credit those habits for my strong GPA and being able to fully absorb all I was learning. Some people think more hours working equals better performance, but I discovered that rest is essential for optimal learning and performance. I still follow these habits today and encourage others to do the same.
Q: What’s something you’re currently learning, exploring, or curious about?
Lately, I’ve been learning a lot about neurodiversity, the idea that our brains are all different and there isn’t a single “normal” way to think or interact with the world. I find this idea really freeing.
Request: Please take this American Foundation for the Blind survey
Arielle would love your help participating in an important survey. The American Foundation for the Blind is exploring how people, both with and without disabilities, are using artificial intelligence (AI). They are particularly looking for participants without disabilities to ensure a strong comparison group. As an added incentive, participants can enter to win a $50 gift card!
The survey is open until Sept. 30.