The Flinn Scholars graduating from Arizona’s public universities this year will be starting graduate and medical school, teaching mathematics in Arizona and English in Spain and Taiwan, and working in areas such as civil engineering and nursing. Among the graduates are a Rhodes Scholar and a Marshall Scholar.
The Class of 2019 Scholars are now part of an alumni community that is approaching 650 people impacting the world. This month the 2019 Scholars are traveling to Greece for an academic group seminar originally planned for the summer following their first year of college—long delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This outgoing class, graduating from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Arizona, majored in anthropology, computational mathematics, civic and economic thought and leadership, microbiology, art, biomedical engineering, mathematics, biochemistry, philosophy, history, computer science, and many other fields of study.
Many of the 2019 Scholars completed two or more majors, and four earned master’s degrees in addition to their bachelor’s degrees, in just four years.
Alongside their studies, the Scholars served in student government and as teaching and research assistants, worked on political campaigns, interned with companies and nonprofits, and engaged in many more activities. One was in the Sun Devil Marching Band at ASU; another interned in the Arizona State Senate, Department of Corrections, and Department of Economic Security; a third was president for UArizona’s Club Roller Hockey team; and several volunteered in COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
The outgoing Flinn Scholars are:
Amanda Gamal Abdelsamad: Will apply to medical school in the next application cycle.
Jason Bautista Pejay: Will work and travel internationally before applying to graduate school.
Chandler Chang: Will pursue a data-science career in the technology industry.
Cameron Decker: Will apply to medical school this summer.
Kailee Garcia: Will continue working as a civilian community programmer at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.
Jordan Harb: Will participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program in Germany through the U.S. Department of State.
Caroline Hyland: Will complete a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Taiwan before pursuing a doctorate in computer science at the University of Arizona.
Anna Iverson: Will enter the workforce before completing a certified registered nurse anesthetist program through the Veterans Administration hospital.
Emma Mason: Will apply to medical school and pursue a career in emergency medicine.
Finlay Parsons: Will continue working as a high-school mathematics teacher in Tucson.
Katie Pascavis: Will pursue a master’s degree in engineering for sustainable development at the University of Cambridge as a Marshall Scholar.
Kyle Polen: Will attend the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Andrea Ramirez Cordero: Will pursue a master’s degree in user experience at Arizona State University.
Nathaniel Ross: Will pursue a master’s degree in social policy and law at University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.
Amanda Maria Schuerman: Will teach English in Spain as an Auxiliar de Conversación before pursuing graduate school.
Griffin Sherwood: Will work as a civil-engineering analyst at Kimley-Horn in the energy division.
Joe Paruvanikal Thomas: Will pursue a master’s degree in public policy and management at Carnegie Mellon University before applying to join the Foreign Service.
Liam Wilson: Will continue work as a software developer for University of Utah Health.
Sarah Wilson: Will pursue a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis.
The outgoing Scholars were recognized at the May 6 Flinn Scholars Recognition Luncheon at the Omni Scottsdale at Montelucia. Also at the event, the 2023 Flinn Scholars were introduced and thanked their “Distinguished Educators” for the impact on their education and life.
The Flinn Scholars Program, now in its 38th year, is supported by the Phoenix-based Flinn Foundation in partnership with Arizona’s three state universities. The merit-based scholarship—valued at more than $130,000—covers the full cost of tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meals, study abroad, and many other exclusive opportunities.
Read more:
Flinn Foundation selects 20 top Arizona students for 2023 Flinn Scholarship
2023 Flinn Scholars commend distinguished educators and mentors