Alumni Launch New Leadership Program
We love seeing Flinn Scholars turn their ideas into opportunities for others. Alumni Ravi Ram (2009) and Nikil Selvam (2010) are doing just that with the launch of The Elements Program, a new initiative helping college students build community and develop resilience to the fear of failure, imposter syndrome, and increasing uncertainty and isolation in our world today.
Even more exciting is the collaboration the program has sparked across Arizona. Leadership from Startup Tucson, the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, and the Honors Colleges at ASU, NAU, and U of A are supporting the yearlong initiative. The inaugural cohort includes 21 students across the universities, including six current Flinn Scholars, who will engage in interactive, in-person workshops to learn from one another, practice supportive habits, and form deep relationships that extend across institutions.
The first Elements cohort kicks things off on Friday, Sept. 18, and we’ll be cheering on Ravi, Nikil, our six participating Scholars, and all of the students embarking on this new experience!
October Alumni Hour: 2015 Scholar Alex Stoken
4-5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 20 (Arizona time)
Location: Zoom
What’s it like to help astronauts make scientific observations of the Moon and see software you helped build put to work in space?
Join us for our October Alumni Hour as Erik Stout (2008) interviews Alex Stoken (2015), a data scientist with Amentum supporting NASA’s Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division at Johnson Space Center.
Erik and Alex will discuss Alex’s path from the University of Arizona to NASA, how he found his way into a career that bridges multiple fields, and what it’s like to contribute to a historic lunar mission. They’ll also talk about Alex’s recent return to Arizona and something that has remained important throughout his journey: staying connected with his Flinn Scholar cohort and building relationships that endure well beyond college.
After studying physics, mathematics, and economics at the University of Arizona, he earned a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Texas at Austin and built a career applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision to challenges in Earth and space science.
Most recently, Alex supported NASA’s Artemis II mission as part of the Crew Lunar Observations team, developing software to help the crew capture scientifically valuable observations of the lunar surface. His broader work applies machine learning and computer vision to analyze astronaut photography of Earth, study potential lunar landing sites, and support vision-based space navigation.
Coming up: Alumni Hour with Shaun Kirkpatrick
3-4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 23 (Arizona time)
Location: Zoom
Join us for our next Alumni Hour featuring Shaun Kirkpatrick (1987), president, biotechnologies, at Research Corporation Technologies and a member of the Flinn Foundation Board of Directors. In conversation with fellow 1987 Scholar Sara Zervos Knutson, Shaun will share lessons from his career spanning science, entrepreneurship, investment, and leadership, along with reflections on nearly four decades as part of the Flinn Scholars community.
NEW: From the Flinn Family (aka “Flamily”)
Looking back, what would you tell yourself going into your final year of undergrad?
Savannah Carlson (Martin) (2010)
I would say, “Choose yourself.” So much of my path in undergrad was determined by what I thought others expected of me. In the end, I chased dreams and identities that belonged to others. I wish I had chosen myself—my dreams, my goals, my passions—from the very beginning. I got there eventually, and in the process I learned that we can only live up to our true potential if we pursue the path that aligns with who we truly are.
Ravi Ram (2009)
I would tell myself, “savor how healthy you are and how connected you are right now to people you love.” After college, we all go our separate ways, and it becomes much more difficult to spontaneously see friends, build community, and stay mentally and physically healthy. I did savor this at the time, but I appreciate it even more now.
Nikil Selvam (2010)
I would tell myself that I’m no better than anyone else and that no one else is better than me. In undergrad, I often (unconsciously) put others on pedestals because they had achieved something I admired. I would encourage myself to run my own race and not worry so much about where I stand relative to others.
Karyn Fox (1990)
Reading this question, my mind turned to those first days with Flinn, the first years of study and exploration, and the transformative study abroad experiences…and then quickly jumped over my senior year to graduation and our last Flinn adventure rafting the San Juan. What a gift to reflect on that final year of undergrad!
For me, this was a year to realize new pursuits and unanticipated trajectories. My senior year followed an academic year in Montpellier, France, and a summer internship in Senegal. These experiences prompted me to seek opportunities that were different than the things I had engaged with during my first years in college. I became more focused on connecting with international students and programs—in a way, bringing an expanded world and new perspectives back home. For this reason, I would tell the 21-year-old me to be open to unexpected pathways, especially those that diverge from what I had initially set out to pursue in college and beyond. In this final year before graduation, be open and willing to take risks in forging what comes next–even if that may appear to you or perhaps others as somewhat unconventional–and know that whatever it is will serve you well. And of course, I would want that senior me to prioritize enjoying time with Flinn and other university friends, mentors, and those who helped shape my university years, as it was the people and relationships I would cherish going forward.
Stanley Wong (2017)
I would tell myself to live in the moment. In my final year of undergrad, I spent so much time worrying about what was next. However, in these past years, I’ve come to learn that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. Even now, I don’t have it all figured out, but by living more in the moment, I’ve become more adaptable, built stronger relationships, and found balance in work and life.
Ruth Allard (1990)
Hey Ruth, chill out!! It’ll be okay, big picture, I promise. Very little of what you’re thinking is going to happen is actually going to happen, and your life is going to be downright spectacular. Some bits not at all, but let’s not dwell on that right now. You can’t do much about those, so let’s focus on the positives. You’ll have good friends, mostly interesting jobs (with very notable exceptions), lots of love, grand adventures and little triumphs. Be kind to yourself this year, make time to soak it in, to be silly with your favorite people. Pace yourself (ha!) and get some things done early so there’s time left to say yes to unexpected fun along the way. Note: I am still terrible at that, mind you, but it is good advice. Someone should follow it.
Many people around you may seem like they know what they’re doing. It’s okay to be envious when things feel harder for you. Eventually it’ll be okay even if some doors don’t open as hoped. You may be telling some of these tales of woe as funny stories later in life with folks who came along behind the doors that did open. I’m looking at you, grad school rejections.
If anyone can use a boost of hope and cheering on from the Flamily, my email is [email protected].
Question for the October Issue:
Application for 2027 Scholars Open
The application for the 42nd class is open through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, and we always appreciate having alumni help promote it.
Through feedback from current Scholars, we know that hearing the stories and experiences of Flinn Scholars contributes to students’ understanding of and interest in the Flinn Scholarship. That is why new videos featuring current Scholar stories were shot at this summer’s retreat, and you can get the first sneak peek here. Additionally, alumni stories are featured in our freshly designed flyer and poster.
Help us promote the Scholarship:
- Personally share this information with any Arizona high school seniors in your lives or other applicable connections.
- Respond to the From the Flamily question on LinkedIn or other social media platforms while tagging Flinn Scholars Program or Flinn Foundation.
- Like, comment, and share existing Flinn Scholars Program social posts.