Flinn Scholars Program

Another unforgettable day at Friendly Pines!

The morning challenged Scholars to step outside their comfort zones with the high ropes traverse, zipline, and climbing wall.
In the afternoon, the Travel Fair gave Scholars the chance to share stories from study abroad experiences across Germany, Italy, Spain, South Korea, and Costa Rica.

As always, the evening brought one of the retreat’s most anticipated traditions. The Talent Show had us laughing, cheering, and marveling at the creativity and talent within this community. We closed the night by hearing from our seniors as they reflected on the friendships, growth, and experiences that have shaped their time as Scholars.

The retreat is a reminder that some of the most meaningful parts of the Flinn Scholars experience happen outside the classroom through shared adventures, lifelong friendships, and a community that continues to grow long after graduation. 💙

Day two at the Flinn Scholars Retreat brought the full community together.

The newest cohort spent the morning learning from alumni Ravi Ram and Nikil Selvam. We had volunteers help us welcome returning Scholars during check-in.

Between rounds of Flinn Jeopardy, archery, and ax throwing, there was plenty of laughter and friendly competition.

2015 Scholar John Patterson brought a suitcase full of electrical gadgets to demonstrate. He literally brought the energy to the retreat. ⚡

The evening closed with Lightning Talks. They were funny, sentimental, thought-provoking, and inspiring. It’s always one of the most memorable parts of the retreat and a reminder of the talent, curiosity, and heart that make this community so special.

The Flinn Scholars Retreat is underway! 🌲

Today we welcomed the incoming Class of 2026 to Friendly Pines Camp for the first day of what will be an unforgettable week. From getting to know one another in an activity led by the ASU faculty who will guide next year’s group seminar, the day was filled with new connections and excitement for the journey ahead.

The evening ended with one of our favorite retreat traditions: a panel of older Scholars sharing advice, answering questions, and helping our newest Scholars feel at home.

Everyone is excited for the rest of the Scholars to arrive tomorrow! 💙

From one generation of Flinn Scholars to the next, the tug-of-war competition has become a favorite way to close out the annual summer retreat.

The four classes of current Flinn Scholars, including the new Class of 2026, will gather in Prescott next week to form new connections and friendships leading into the fall semester. And determine which class leaves as the new champion.

Can you guess what years these photos were taken? Comments open.

Spring, summer, fall, there’s no wrong time to study abroad. Over the past few months, Europe has been a popular destination for our Scholars. Here’s what they had to say:

Simra Maheen ('22): “I came to Lecce (Italy) expecting a trip. Instead I left with stories, connections, and a new understanding of what it means to feel at home somewhere new.”

Joshua Bunnell ('23): “Barcelona provides an incredibly unique experience. It’s a fun blend of young and progressive culture, historic architecture, and the deep religious heritage that has shaped much of the city’s identity.”

Chloe Greetis ('24): “My time in Prague taught me that solo traveling isn't about having everything figured out — it's about learning to move forward confidently even when you don't!”

Learn more about the Flinn Scholarship and its benefits, including study abroad, at the Scholars website.⬇️

Whether across the globe or just a few states away, Flinn Scholars use their travel funding to explore opportunities that shape their futures.

ASU Scholar Rati Tabatadze ('25) attended the IEEE Rising Stars Conference 2026 in Las Vegas, connecting with industry professionals and fellow students navigating similar academic and career paths in electrical engineering.

For Rati, technical sessions on power systems and energy infrastructure sparked a new interest in the power and energy sector. That interest led him to apply for an electrical engineering internship at Kimley-Horn focused on power and energy systems. And he was offered and accepted a summer internship.

Learn more about Flinn Scholarship benefits.⬇️

As another fire season rages across the West, two Flinn Scholar alums are examining the aftermath of the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires that scorched the Grand Canyon's North Rim a year ago.

Melissa Sevigny lends her expertise in an article for the Grand Canyon Trust. Sevigny is a Flagstaff-based science writer and author of three nonfiction books, including “Brave the Wild River.” She takes a look back and what may lie ahead for the less-traveled area of the park.

Clare Aslan, an associate professor in Northern Arizona University's School of Earth and Sustainability, is examining how a tiny cactus is helping researchers understand fire recovery. Aslan said the work will help the Forest Service understand which fire-burned areas need restoration work and which are better left to regenerate on their own. Clare is also a Flinn-Brown Fellow at the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.

Read more.⬇️

Study abroad has a way of changing you. And eight weeks in San José, Costa Rica, is just right for that.

Through the University of Arizona's program at Universidad Veritas, Flinn Scholar Astrid Bell took courses in Holistic Health Approaches and Healthcare and Conflict Resolution to expand her understanding beyond evidence-based medicine.

Beyond the classroom, she lived with a host family (including their 4-year-old son and two cats), and experienced daily Costa Rican life firsthand. She also visited an adult daycare center, where elderly community members warmly welcomed her and shared stories, traditions, and deep pride in their culture.

In her own words:
"Costa Rica taught me that 'pura vida' is more than a phrase; it's a way of life rooted in compassion, community, and balance, and one we could all learn from."

"Yá’át’ééh shik’ei dóó shidiné’é, my name is Kaya Dickson."

"I am passionate about creating pathways for our Indigenous communities through research and advocacy, raising awareness of issues that deeply affect our relatives and Mother Earth."

The 2022 Flinn Scholar, who is from Kaibeto on the Navajo Nation and grew up in Page, is a recent graduate from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in sociology and a minor in criminology and criminal justice.

Read more about her story. Link in comments.⬇️