Thank you for reading our new monthly newsletter, As you will see below, there is some amazing content to share. But we could always use more. Share your personal and professional milestones, job openings, internship opportunities, and/or nominate a fellow Scholar to be profiled using this form:
Celebrating 40 Years of Impact
We’re thrilled to share a special video created to mark the 40th anniversary of the Flinn Scholars Program—three years in the making and a heartfelt tribute to the power of this community. Produced by 2015 Flinn Scholar alumnus Craig Johnson, the video features the voices of current and past Scholars, current and past staff, and university partners reflecting on the program’s legacy and the transformative impact it has had across generations. Whether you’re a founding-era Scholar or a new graduate, we hope it reminds you of the enduring connection you share.
June Alumni Hour features 1992 Scholar Jake Batsell
4-5 p.m., Monday, June 23 (Arizona time)
Join us for our next Alumni Hour as Sara Zervos (’87) interviews Jake Batsell (’92), journalist, professor, and author of Engaged Journalism: Connecting with Digitally Empowered News Audiences. Jake has spent his career at the intersection of storytelling, media innovation, and public trust—first as a reporter for The Dallas Morning News and The Seattle Times, and now as a journalism professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He’ll reflect on the evolving role of journalists in a fractured media landscape, the ethical challenges of AI in newsrooms, and how Flinn roots and curiosity have guided his path.
A Celebration of Milestones and Educators
At this year’s Flinn Scholars Recognition Luncheon, we celebrated two incredible milestones: the graduation of our senior Scholars and the selection of the 40th class.
In addition to recognizing these student milestones, we also honored the Distinguished Educators who played a vital role in guiding our incoming Scholars to this moment. From touching remarks to joyful reunions, the event reflected the deep bonds that power this community and the shared commitment to learning, growth, and service.
Alumni Voices
Mia Armstrong-López
Flinn Scholar Class of 2015
Q: Can you share a little about your current role and what excites you most about your work?
I’m the managing editor at ASU Media Enterprise, which is a collection of editorially independent news organizations—including Arizona PBS, Issues in Science and Technology, and Zocalo Public Square, among others—that are connected to ASU. We recently launched Doing Well, a health news outlet on Substack dedicated to helping people understand and improve their health. Our goal is to help people navigate complex health systems with concrete, tangible tools, which is something that excites me. My background is in journalism, and a lot of my own coverage has been centered around mental and reproductive health—I think proactive information can make us better advocates for our health and care.
I also help manage ASU’s portfolio in Mexico, connecting the university with partners to expand research and education opportunities. In Arizona, engaging with Mexico is a key part of being a socially embedded institution.
Q: How did being a Flinn Scholar shape your academic or career path?
Flinn gave me the biggest gift you can have in undergrad: flexibility. The flexibility to pursue different academic and research interests, to travel, and to really connect with a community of similarly curious people. I committed to ASU as a Flinn Scholar 10 years ago now—and I’ve been working or studying with the university in some capacity ever since. I’m blown away by the quality of research and community engagement work happening at Arizona’s public universities, and Flinn helped integrate me into that ecosystem.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to current Scholars or recent alumni?
It sounds cliché, but your career is a winding path with lots of detours. Try things that seem interesting to you. Shift directions as new passions crop up. Your first job doesn’t have to be your dream job, and there’s something to learn from every position, every project.
Q: Is there a project, achievement, or experience you’re especially proud of?
I’m proud of ASU’s work to connect people with tangible health resources through Doing Well. We’re always looking to collaborate with new health experts, and I know we have many of them in the Flinn community—if that’s you, let’s connect ( [[email protected]])!
Q: Looking back, what’s one lesson from your time as a Flinn Scholar that has stayed with you?
The Flinn Scholarship taught me the power of grounding your work in community. It also helped me deepen my appreciation of Arizona as a deeply interesting and important place to understand the trends that are shaping the whole country. Whether you care about climate, migration, economics, health, technology, international relations—Arizona is a place where those dynamics are playing out at a rapid speed, and where studying and working on them can really make a difference.
Q: What impact do you hope to make in your field or community in the coming years?
I was drawn to journalism because I think stories can help us make sense of who we are and the futures we want to work toward. I hope to deepen my work on health storytelling, empowering people with information to make tangible changes in their lives.
Q: What’s one unexpected skill you picked up during college that you still use today?
In college I worked as a research assistant for a professor who taught me about the power of librarians in research, which I think very few people take advantage of. Librarians—whether at your university or public libraries—are treasure troves of resources when you’re researching or investigating something, and in my experience they’re eager to help you locate a book that could be helpful, an archive you can’t miss, or a news clipping that sheds new light on an issue. I love calling the library!
Q: What’s the most surprising way your Flinn experience has popped up in your life post-college?
Some of my closest friends are Flinn Scholars—their passion and curiosity motivate me to dig deeper and ask bigger questions. When I got married, five of my Flinn classmates stood up next to me!
Memoir & Meaning: A Discussion with Flinn Scholar Michelle Yang
On May 13, the Flinn Foundation welcomed alumni and community members for an evening with 1999 Flinn Scholar Michelle Yang and 1997 Flinn Scholar Naomi Jorgensen. Held both in person and online, the event featured a thoughtful conversation about Yang’s debut memoir, “Phoenix Girl: How a Fat Asian with Bipolar Found Love.”
With honesty and humor, Michelle shared her journey navigating mental health, cultural identity, and body image—and how embracing self-love became her path to healing. Naomi guided the conversation with care, highlighting the power of storytelling in breaking stigma and building understanding.
Attendees also had the opportunity to meet Michelle, ask questions, and purchase signed copies of her book.
You can watch the conversation here: Memoir and Meaning: A Discussion with Michelle Yang
Alumni Gatherings
Earlier this month, Flinn Scholar alumni gathered in Denver for an evening of connection, conversation, and community. The group enjoyed the chance to catch up and reflect on shared experiences—and the gathering went so well, they’re already planning a future meetup.
Next up: New York City! Flinn alumni in the area are gathering on Thursday, May 22.