Scholars Directory
The Flinn Scholars community is a dynamic group of more than 750 individuals providing leadership on their campuses, in their professions, and in their communities across Arizona and far beyond.
This directory introduces Scholars from the program’s first class in 1986 through the Class of 2026, including their high school, university, and field of study. Some records—based on alumni permission—also provide information on graduate studies, career path, and current residence.
Search
Sara Zervos Knutson, Ph.D.
Class
1987
High School
Mountain View High School-Mesa
High School City
Mesa
University
Arizona State University
Field Of Study
Economics
Graduate University
University of Rochester
Graduate Degree
Ph.D. Economics
CITY
Boulder
State
CO
Jill Ashenfelter (Lekawa)
Class
1986
High School
Santa Rita High School
High School City
Tucson
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Chemical Engineering
Rebecca Bruner (Kelly)
Class
1986
High School
McClintock High School
High School City
Tempe
University
Arizona State University
Field Of Study
English
Graduate University
Arizona State University
Graduate Degree
Secondary Education
CITY
Mesa
State
AZ
Paul Burkhardt, Ph.D.
Class
1986
High School
Kofa High School
High School City
Yuma
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
English Literature; Physics
Graduate University
University of Arizona
Graduate Degree
M.A. Comparative Cultural and Literary Theory; Ph.D. Comparative Cultural and Literary Studies
CITY
Boulder
State
CO
Brian Cumpston, Ph.D.
Class
1986
High School
Mingus Union High School
High School City
Cottonwood
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Chemical Engineering
Graduate University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Graduate Degree
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
CITY
Pleasanton
State
CA
John Duty
Class
1986
High School
Central High School
High School City
Phoenix
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Political Science
Graduate University
Northwestern University
Graduate Degree
M.S. Marketing
CITY
Fort Smith
State
AR
Edward Gardiner
Class
1986
High School
Horizon High School
High School City
Scottsdale
University
Arizona State University
Field Of Study
Theater
CITY
New River
State
AZ
Tamar Gottfried, M.D.
Class
1986
High School
McClintock High School
High School City
Tempe
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Anthropology
Graduate University
University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Graduate Degree
M.D.
CITY
Gilbert
State
AZ
Nathan Johnson, J.D.
Class
1986
High School
Sahuaro High School
High School City
Tucson
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Physics
Graduate University
University of Texas at Austin
Graduate Degree
J.D.
CITY
Dallas
State
TX
Drew Kornreich, Ph.D.
Class
1986
High School
Sabino High School
High School City
Tucson
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Nuclear Engineering
Graduate University
University of Arizona
Graduate Degree
Ph.D. Nuclear Engineering
CITY
Los Alamos
State
NM
Theresa Levy (Scionti), Ph.D.
Class
1986
High School
Santa Rita High School
High School City
Tucson
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Interdisciplinary Studies: Mathematics, Psychology, Drama, Dance
Graduate University
University of Arizona
Graduate Degree
M.A. Latin American Studies
Graduate University
University of Arizona
Graduate Degree
Ph.D. Language, Reading, Culture and Cultural Anthropology
CITY
Tucson
State
AZ
Michael Mitchell
Class
1986
High School
Canyon del Oro High School
High School City
Tucson
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Political Science
Graduate University
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Graduate Degree
M.B.A. International Management
CITY
Phoenix
State
AZ
Julie Pineda (Mayes)
Class
1986
High School
Coconino High School
High School City
Flagstaff
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Mathematics Education
Graduate University
University of Oxford
Graduate University
American College of Education
Graduate Degree
M.Ed. Advanced Studies in Mathematics
CITY
Mesa
State
AZ
Cheryl Soto (Dunn), J.D.
Class
1986
High School
Prescott High School
High School City
Prescott
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Interdisciplinary Studies
Graduate University
University of Arizona
Graduate Degree
J.D.
CITY
San Diego
State
CA
Michael Spaulding
Class
1986
High School
University High School
High School City
Tucson
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Computer Engineering
CITY
Columbus
State
OH
Gwen Sweeney
Class
1986
High School
Tucson High Magnet School
High School City
Tucson
University
University of Arizona
Field Of Study
Systems Engineering
Graduate University
University of Washington
Graduate Degree
M.Ed.
CITY
Seattle
State
WA
