When the graduating Flinn Scholars took the stage at this year’s Flinn Scholars Recognition Luncheon, their stories reflected far more than academic success.
Again and again, themes of exploration, resilience, and connection emerged—revealing undergraduate journeys shaped not only by achievement, but by moments of challenge, discovery, and transformation.
Across disciplines and campuses, graduates described the freedom to pursue their interests, courage to step into unfamiliar spaces, and relationships that grounded them along the way. Whether conducting research, serving their communities, or traveling the world, they spoke of formative experiences that pushed them to grow into more thoughtful, capable, and purposeful versions of themselves.
The annual Recognition Luncheon, held on Saturday, May 2, in Scottsdale, provides a chance for graduating Scholars to reflect on their undergrad experience. Flinn Scholars receive a full-ride scholarship for four undergraduate years, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, and at least two study-abroad experiences.
For Mia Osmonbekov, an ASU graduate pursuing journalism, international experiences helped shape her career path and her sense of self. From observing education systems in Finland to documenting protests in Argentina and speaking with students in Hong Kong, Mia described her travels and experiences as “transformative.”
“Getting the chance to work at an Argentinian newspaper during the country’s economic overhaul and then to fund my own reporting trip to Hong Kong were dreams come true,” she said. “Flinn gifted me opportunities I could have never imagined were possible, and the program has been the best possible launchpad for a global career.”
At NAU, Kaya Dickson shaped her undergraduate experience through a commitment to community, culture, and leadership. Kaya has been involved in Indigenous-led research, conservation initiatives, and education programs that center the importance of cultural knowledge and representation.
“Our Diné culture teaches us that we are the prayers of our ancestors,” she told about 200 recognition event attendees.
Her time as a Scholar, she said, allowed her not only to uplift her own voice, but to represent and advocate for her community, helping build a stronger foundation for future generations.
For Portia Cooper at the University of Arizona, undergraduate research became a platform for technical innovation and social impact. Her research examined how online harassers manipulate words and characters to evade automated detection systems—and how AI can be trained to catch it. The work earned her a nationally prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.
But as Portia described, her success was not achieved alone: “It felt like the whole state helped me win—and then celebrated with me when I did.”
Drawing on mentorship from faculty, alumni, and fellow Scholars across Arizona’s universities, she experienced firsthand the strength of a network that extends far beyond a single campus—one that supports, challenges, and celebrates its members.
The Flinn Scholars graduating from an Arizona public university this year are:
Neha Badhwar
Hometown: Phoenix
University: Arizona State University
Degree(s): B.S. Neuroscience, B.S. Psychology, and Master of Global Health
Will pursue an M.D. at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix.
Astrid Bell
Hometown: Flagstaff
University: University of Arizona
Degree(s): B.S. Molecular & Cellular Biology, B.S. Neuroscience & Cognitive Sciences
Minors: Spanish, Biochemistry
Will pursue an M.D. at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson.
Andrew Cervantes
Hometown: Mohave Valley
University: University of Arizona
Degree(s): B.S.H.S. Physiology and Medical Sciences
Will apply to physician assistant programs.
Diego Chavez
Hometown: Eloy
University: Arizona State University
Degree(s): B.S. Business Entrepreneurship
Will continue working with Legendary Prep Academy, focusing on business operations and organizational development while expanding mentorship/leadership initiatives for young athletes.
Portia Cooper
Hometown: Tucson
University: University of Arizona
Degree(s): B.S. Computer Science and Master of Computer Science
Will pursue a Ph.D. in computer science at the University of Washington.
Emily Delabarra
Hometown: Mesa
University: Northern Arizona University
Degree(s): B.A. Social Work and Master of Social Work
Will pursue a career as a licensed clinical social worker and continue advocacy.
Kaya Dickson
Hometown: Page
University: Northern Arizona University
Degree(s): B.S. Sociology
Minor: Criminology/Criminal Justice
Will pursue work in the nonprofit sector before continuing a master’s program.
Yaritza Durazo
Hometown: Tucson
University: University of Arizona
Degree(s): B.S. Physiology and Medical Sciences
Will continue volunteering at Clinica Amistad and working as a patient care assistant at Banner Health before applying to medical school.
Natasha Kiriluk
Hometown: Mesa
University: Arizona State University
Degree(s): B.A. Political Science, B.A. History, B.S. Economics
Minor: Spanish
Will attend law school.
Hannah Lennon
Hometown: Dewey-Humboldt
University: Arizona State University
Degree(s): B.A. Global Studies and Master of Healthcare Innovation
Will pursue an M.D.
Sakina Lord
Hometown: Phoenix
University: Northern Arizona University
Degree(s): B.S. Data Science, B.A. French
Minors: Actuarial Science, International Communications
Will pursue a master’s degree in statistics at Northern Arizona University.
Simra Maheen
Hometown: Phoenix
University: Arizona State University
Degree(s): B.A Psychology
Minor: Religious Studies
Will pursue a master’s degree in psychology at Arizona State University with a long-term goal of earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, specializing in marriage and family therapy.
Karah Mayer
Hometown: Tucson
University: Arizona State University
Degree(s): B.S. Biology (Pharmacology/Toxicology)
Will pursue a Ph.D. in biological and biomedical sciences at the University of Arizona.
Samantha Muñoz
Hometown: Phoenix
University: Arizona State University
Degree(s): B.S. Nursing
Will pursue a Master of Science in Nursing with a long-term goal of educating the next generation of nurses.
Desiree Nguyen
Hometown: Phoenix
University: University of Arizona
Degree(s): B.S. Molecular & Cellular Biology, B.S. Psychological Sciences, B.S. Neuroscience & Cognitive Sciences
Will pursue a Master of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona while applying for medical school.
Mia Osmonbekov
Hometown: Flagstaff
University: Arizona State University
Degree(s): B.A. Journalism and Mass Communication and Master of Mass Communication
Minor: Spanish
Will move to New York City to work as a Dow Jones News Fund Fellow at Fortune Magazine, and will then travel to Argentina to conduct research as a Fulbright Scholar.
Bradley Reece
Hometown: Mesa
University: University of Arizona
Degree(s): B.A. Political Science, B.A. Psychology and Master of Public Policy
Minor: Public Health
Will work on the Grants and Federal Resources team at the Arizona Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting.
Alicia Salazar Contreras
Hometown: Tucson
University: University of Arizona
Degree(s): B.S. Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, B.A. Spanish – Generalist Emphasis
Will continue graduate studies at the University of Arizona, pursuing a master’s in speech-language pathology and a multicultural bilingual certificate.
Niat Solomon
Hometown: Phoenix
University: University of Arizona
Degree(s): M.D. (In Progress)
Will continue medical school in an accelerated pathway program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson.
Noah Wellman
Hometown: Tucson
University: University of Arizona
Degree(s): B.S. Mathematics
Minor: Physics
Will work as an intern at Arizona Optical Metrology before pursuing graduate school.
The luncheon also celebrated the Flinn Scholars Class of 2026, the program’s 41st class, and their Distinguished Educators, while featuring a keynote address from Chris Camacho, an Axon senior vice president and member of the Flinn Foundation Board of Directors.
Read more:
20 Arizona high-school seniors selected for 2026 Flinn Scholarship
2026 Flinn Scholars thank Arizona educators for their lasting impact
Meet the 2026 Flinn Scholars