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< Back Robert (Otis) Otieno* Otis (’27) is an applied & computational mathematics undergrad at Caltech and a member of Blacker House. At Caltech, he has been a practitioner of AI tools for offices such as Tech Transfer and a researcher into homomorphic encryption for creation of full-on user privacy tools. When he is not researching or studying, he enjoys training Olympic weightlifting for fun, reading sci-fi stories and djembe drumming. His first contact with the Y was through Liz Jackman who was his first-year mentor. Through Liz, he attended some meetings and signed up to be a Rise Tutor at John Muir high school. He has also enjoyed programs such as ASB trips to Costa Rica and MAD(Make A Difference) day. His future aspirations for the Y are to expose more students to the Y and have them participate in its various programs, while also researching logistics into possible Y safaris to Africa as he patiently awaits to launch a community impact non-profit organization of his own back in his home country of Kenya. Committee Affiliation: Student ExComm, Finance Committee Previous Next

< Back Shrishti Pankaj Kulkarni* Shrishti ('26) is pursuing a Physics major with a minor in Computer Science at Caltech, and is a member of Venerable House. She does research with the Endres Lab, exploring laser cooling techniques in the field of neutral atom quantum computing. Outside of classes and lab, she enjoys practicing Kathak (an Indian classical dance form) and reading fiction. Shrishti is an Internal Vice President of the Caltech Y, and is especially passionate about environmental conservation and cultural exploration. She has helped organize Make-a-Difference Day, Cultural Cuisine Tours, and a variety of decompression events. Committee Affiliation: Student ExComm, Advancement Committee Previous Next

< Back Michele Judd Michele is the former Executive Director of the Keck Institute for Space Studies, a joint Caltech/JPL space exploration think tank. A member of the Caltech family since 2001, she is a licensed engineer in the State of California. Asteroid "JUDD" was named after her in 2008 for her work at JPL on improving the research environment for scientists. Committee Affiliation: Advancement Committee Previous Next

< Back Lila Rodriguez-Acevez* Committee Affiliation: Student ExComm Previous Next

< Back Vansh Kumar Vansh began working at Google in 2016 as a software engineer, and worked at Verily Life Sciences as a software engineering manager from 2021 to 2024. He is currently on a break from work to explore his interests. He earned a BS in Applied Computational Mathematics and Computer Science from Caltech. Committee Affiliation: Finance Committee Previous Next

Advancement Co-Chair < Back Cindy Bengtson Budzyn Advancement Co-Chair Cindy retired after 30 years of leadership positions with ARCO/BP and devotes her time to community service. At age 25 she created Big Sisters of Los Angeles.  41 years later, Big Sisters is merged as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles serving 1000 “high risk” children throughout LA County. Her other non-profit work has included memberships and Board roles in over 15 organizations, most recently Leadership Pasadena and Los Altos Auxiliary for Hathaway Sycamores. She graduated with a BS in Consumer Economics from Purdue University and completed numerous professional certification courses in employee benefits, taxation and gerontology. Committee Affiliation: Advancement Committee Previous Next

< Back to all programs Studenski Award $0 UG Only | up to $6,000 | Apps due Oct. 27 Find clarity, explore future possibilities To Participate: https://forms.gle/SAirATwhyiicwR2v8 About The Studenski Memorial Award is a grant of up to $6000 established in the memory of Paul Studenski, a Caltech student who was killed in an automobile accident while traveling across the United States in 1974. It is awarded to a Caltech undergraduate who having reached a crossroads in life and would benefit from a period away from the academic community to gain a better understanding of self and explore possible directions for the future. Who is Eligible Applicants must be enrolled Caltech Undergraduate students in good academic standing Applicants choosing an international destination must be 18 years or older. There is no age restriction for domestic destinations, however a parent/guardian will be expected to sign a waiver. Proposal Guidelines If you are an interested Caltech undergraduate who is in good academic standing, you should submit the itemized budget form with anticipated expenses and an application that provides: The requested demographic information. A concise written narrative describing the "crossroad" in which you find yourself, what you are proposing to do, and how what you are proposing will help you find clarity. Consider the following questions: What are the choices you face? How will this opportunity help you better understand yourself and your future plans? Added details, if travel is proposed. Acknowledgment of the agreements that recipients will be expected to sign Application and Selection Process: A selection committee consisting of Caltech Y Board Members, students, faculty, and/or staff will review proposals, identify and interview finalists, select the recipients, and determine award amounts based on need, and funding available. Partial funding may also be offered. Criteria include the following: o Does it seem like the experience will provide a good opportunity to find the clarity sought? o Is the proposed budget reasonable? Awardee(s) cannot hold multiple travel awards (e.g. Bishop, San Pietro, ACT, etc). SURF students are not permitted to have other commitments during SURF, including evenings or weekends, however, activities before or after the SURF period are eligible. The proposed project can also be an extension of the SURF, but it must be distinct and not overlap in time with the SURF. What Awardees Receive Awardees may request up to $6,000 to cover expenses for the educational experience, including transportation (flights, trains, shuttles, taxis, tolls, travel insurance, visas, required vaccinations, etc.); lodgings (hotels, hotels, rental properties, etc.); relevant excursions (museums, monuments, venues relevant to the proposal); and program costs (registration and program fees for conferences, classes, mentor organizations, etc.). Awards may have tax and financial aid implications. Students are advised to consult with a tax advisor and/or the financial aid office with any questions. What is required of Recipients Meet with Y staff to review and sign an agreement outlining expectations and deadlines. Complete the proposed experience as outlined and approved by September 12th. Please note: Any changes to the proposed experience must be pre-approved. Submit a spending summary, including receipts, with each request for reimbursement. Submit a report sharing details on what was done, learned/gained from the experience, along with pictures, that can be shared with donors, and used for reports and promotional materials. Reports can be made in a mutually agreed upon format (for example, but not limited to - a written document, video presentation, blog post, interview, article for the Tech or the Caltech Y Newsletter, etc.) The deadline for submitting the trip report and spending summary/receipts is September 15th. Recipients may also be asked to give an optional presentation summarizing the experience to members of the Y Staff, Board of Directors, and/or donors, as well as interested students as available. Questions? The Caltech Y is here to help! Applicants with questions about the award or application process are encouraged seek input via phone 626-395-6163, email caltechy@caltech.edu , or in-person at the Caltech Y. Some of the 55 Recipients: 2025 Raaghav Malik examined Teaching and Education Policy in Ghana, India, and France 2025 America Luna Herrera ran a marathon in Northern Ireland 2023 Ekta Patel volunteered with the India Medical and Electives Program in India. 2023 Katelyn Lee experienced sustainable farming and culture in Japan and South Korea. 2023 Shalini Kurinchi-Vendhan explored being a writer in literary England. 2022 Aanica Gonzalez Rogers studied sewing and fashion in New York City. 2022 Jennah Colborn studied scientific illustration with a Marine Conservation organization. 2022 Camila Buitrago volunteered with conservation organizations in the Amazon. 2019 Jake Mattinson studied narrative-based scientific communication with Jet Propulsion Theatre in Italy. 2019 Anise Rau studied Dance and Theatre in New York City. 2018 Amanda Lin studied cooking in Japan. 2017 Jessica Cheng studied ceramics in New York City. 2016 Dan Ilyin studied improv with the renowned Second City Improv in Chicago. 2016 Mara Green volunteered with One Circle through the LA County Sherriff. 2015 Alice Michel was a wildlife conservation volunteer with Operation Wallacea in South Africa. 2014 Margaux Lopez helped prototype exhibits at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. 2013 Teo Wilkening traveled for service and leadership development with NextGen Academy. 2011 Laura Decker trained and competed in fencing. 2010 Katie Brennan volunteered in a nutrition program in Malawi. 2009 Sara Hunt studied majority world technologies in Guatemala. 2008 Erin Flanigan volunteered on a traveling medical team in Tanzania. 2007 Elena Hartoonian studied the art of Flamenco dancing in Spain. 2006 Herschel Mukherjee studied environmental policy in Tunisia. 2005 Felicia Katz volunteered in a rural medical clinic in Nicaragua. 2004 Libin Zhang volunteered with a sea turtles project in Suriname. 2003 Iram Bilal studied filmmaking in England. 2002 Katie Homann volunteered in a rural medical clinic in Guatemala. Note: The Studenski Award is not a paid vacation, a chance to get in touch with your roots, an opportunity to pad your resume, or a way to choose between two scientific career paths. It is also not a community service grant although doing service can be proposed if it helps you address the crossroad you face. The Studenski Award is intended to help the recipient find clarity of purpose. The Caltech Y reserves the right to revoke the award at any point due to safety and security concerns or changes in recipient eligibility or proposal. To apply you must submit both the application and a budget . Previous Program Next Program

< Back to all programs Hummel Gray Award $0 UG or G | Applications due Oct. 27 Up to $1,000 National, $2,000 International Go to conferences, present, gain leadership To Participate: https://forms.gle/JRAbGk87tTXWgyji7 About The Patrick Hummel and Harry Gray Travel Fund was initiated by Carla and Paul Hummel, along with Patrick Hummel (Caltech, BS, MS 2006), to honor Harry B. Gray on his 80th birthday. In response, Prof. Gray, the Arnold O. Beckman Professor of Chemistry and Founding Director of the Beckman Institute, and his wife Shirley generously doubled the value of the fund. This award supports undergraduate and graduate travel that fosters professional and leadership development while broadening students' perspectives as responsible global citizens. It also celebrates the special relationship between Gray and Hummel families. Awards will be given to support: Travel to academic conferences for the purpose of presenting papers or actively participating in workshops, symposia Travel to professional conferences focused on developing students' leadership skills (e.g., National Conference for College Women Student Leaders) Travel to conferences/meetings that support the increased participation and impact of underrepresented groups in STEM fields (e.g., Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics, the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, etc.) Who is Eligible Applicants must be enrolled Caltech students in good academic standing. Applicants choosing an international destination must be 18 years or older. There is no age restriction for domestic destinations, however a parent/guardian will be expected to sign a waiver. Proposal Guidelines If you are an interested Caltech student who is in good academic standing, you should submit the itemized budget form with anticipated expenses and an application that provides: The requested demographic information. A concise written description of the paper to be presented or the nature of the academic or leadership activity being proposed, the purpose of the meeting, and how the meeting will further enhance your professional and leadership development. Added details, if travel is proposed. Acknowledgment of the agreements that recipients will be expected to sign. Application and Selection Process: A selection committee consisting of Caltech Y Board Members, students, faculty and/or staff will review proposals, identify and interview finalists, select the recipients, and determine award amounts based on need, and funding available. Partial funding may also-be offered. Criteria include the following: Does the applicant clearly demonstrate how the experience will enhance their professional and/or leadership development. Does it seem like the experience will provide a good opportunity to learn about, or engage in, what was proposed by the applicant? Is the proposed budget reasonable? Does the applicant distinguish herself or himself as someone who will engage in the cause or learn to be a new or important voice for the issue addressed? Awardee(s) cannot hold multiple travel awards (e.g. Bishop, San Pietro, ACT, etc). SURF students are not permitted to have other commitments during SURF, including evenings or weekends, however, activities before or after the SURF period are eligible. The proposed project can also be an extension of the SURF, but it must be distinct and not overlap in time with the SURF. What Awardees Receive Awardees may request $500 to $1,000 for domestic travel, or $1,000 to $2,000 to cover expenses including transportation (flights, trains, shuttles, taxis, tolls, travel insurance, visas, required vaccinations, etc.); lodgings (hotels, hotels, rental properties, etc.); relevant excursions (museums, monuments,, venues relevant to the proposal); and conference costs (registration and program fees for conferences, workshops, etc.). The selection committee will determine award amounts (may be full or partial funding) based on need, and funding available. Awards may also be taxable. Awards may have tax and financial aid implications. Students are advised to consult with a tax advisor and/or the financial aid office with any questions. What is required of Recipients Meet with Y staff to review and sign an agreement outlining expectations and deadlines in order to accept the award. Complete the proposed experience as outlined and approved by September 12th. Please note: Any changes to the proposed experience must be pre-approved. Submit a spending summary, including receipts, with each request for reimbursement. Submit a report sharing details on what was done, learned/gained from the experience, along with pictures, that can be shared with donors, and used for reports and promotional materials. Reports can be made in a mutually agreed upon format (for example, but not limited to - a written document, video presentation, blog post, interview, article for the Tech or the Caltech Y Newsletter, etc.) The deadline for submitting the trip report and spending summary/receipts is September 15th. Recipients may also be asked to give an optional presentation summarizing the experience to members of the Y Staff, Board of Directors, and/or donors, as well as interested students as available. Questions? The Caltech Y is here to help! Applicants with questions about the award or application process are encouraged seek input via phone 626-395-6163, email caltechy@caltech.edu , or in-person at the Caltech Y. Some Past Recipients: 2025 Chelsea Fox - Materials Today Conference - Spain 2025 Ana Jaramillo - Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers - Anaheim 2025 Hannah Dion-Kirschner - Goldschmidt 2025 conference in geochemistry - Czech Republic 2025 Sarah Uuan Ni Liaw - AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence - Philadelphia 2023 Abigail Jiang - Materials Research Society Spring 2023 Meeting (MRS) in San Francisco 2023 Winhao (Jerry) Xuan Cloud Zwei Con - Ringberg Castle in Germany 2023 Ailene Chan - Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting 2023 (VSS 2023) – St. Pete, Florida 2023 Ke Shi - Asian Meeting of the Econometric Society - Singapore 2023 Niyati Desai - Lorentz Center Optimal Exoplanet Imagers Workshop - Leiden, Netherlands 2023 Arnav Das - Statistical Field Theories 2023 Conference - Galileo Galilei Institute, Firenze, Italy 2023 RJ Chadha - 5th Annual North American Mass Spectrometry Summer School – Madison, WI 2022 Eitan Rapaport - Applied Superconductivity Conference - Honolulu 2022 Anwesha Das - European Conference on Visual Perception - The Netherlands The Caltech Y reserves the right to revoke the award at any point due to safety and security concerns or changes in recipient eligibility or proposal. To apply you must submit both the application and a budget. Previous Program Next Program

< Back to all programs Stars Tuesdays or Thursdays | 4:15–6:15 PM | 393 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101 To Participate: Email caltechy@caltech.edu to get started About This is a new Caltech Y partnership supporting K–5th grade students in reading and homework help. 4:15–5:15 PM: Enrichment — support or lead activities 5:15–6:15 PM: Homework and reading support STARS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring and educating Pasadena-area youth. Its mission is to affirm, equip, and embolden young people to pursue lives of purpose, service, and meaning. Previous Program Next Program

get involved student opportunities The Caltech Y coordinates a variety of programs each term; some designed to heighten awareness of ethical, social, and political issues; some to serve the community, and some just to promote fun and relaxation. At the heart of Caltech Y programming is student leadership. Regardless of your level of experience or availability, the Caltech Y has an opportunity in leadership for you. COMMUNITY SERVICE STUDENT COMMITTEES community service opportunities rise tutoring Monday - Thursday | 4:30 - 6:00 PM | On Caltech's campus, online, and at John Muir High School The Rise Program is an afterschool math and science-focused tutoring program serving public school students. The Caltech Y has been administering the program since 2006 and the program has been successful at helping students who struggle with math and science. The tutoring is provided by Caltech undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate students can use their Federal and Caltech Work-Study allotment to get paid for tutoring. TUTOR INFORMATION reading partners Reading Partners’ mission is to help children become lifelong readers by empowering communities to provide individualized instruction that produces measurable results. Volunteers are matched with a student and meet weekly to improve reading skills. Volunteers tutor students who are reading behind grade level using Reading Partners curriculum and are expected to contribute at least 1.5 hours weekly. For more info visit: www.readingpartners.org and email caltechy@caltech.edu . union station Prepare and serve dinner to the residents at Union Station Adult Center in Pasadena. Food and materials are provided. The Adult Center provides shelter, meals and supportive services for more than 150 homeless men and women each year. For more information and to RSVP email caltechy@caltech.edu youth of promise Tutor Pasadena & Altadena youth ages 11-18. Tutors work with students, one-on-one, for 30 minute blocks. The Youth of Promise (YOP) program invests deeply in youth exposed to trauma and adverse childhood experiences. YOP supports youth academically, socially, and emotionally. All youth receive one-on-one case management and participate in a curriculum of program activities that include academic support, mentorship, life skills, enrichment activities, caregiver engagement sessions, mental health services and more. For more info about YOP services, visit their website at: https://www.flintridge.org/our-programs/youth-of-promise/ . For questions or to get started volunteering, email caltechy@caltech.edu. LEAP PROJECT Donate your time or your lab equipment to the LEAP Project. The The Lab Equipment Access Program, or the LEAP project, aims to address the social issue that many public high schools lack resources like lab equipment, which are critical to students' hands-on science education. For more info and to get involved visit https://leap.caltech.edu/ make-a-difference day The Caltech Y is partners with agencies from all over Pasadena and the greater LA region for one day of community service. All members of the Caltech community are invited to participate in one of a variety of community service projects at the Boys and Girls Club, Monrovia Canyon, Habitat for Humanity, LA Food Bank, Hillsides Home for Children, and many more sites. You can choose to work with kids or animals, do construction or outdoor projects or visit with the elderly. Projects are led by other students and will be 3.5 to 6 hours - including travel, depending on the project. Meals, transportation, and t-shirts are provided. Alternative spring break Explore a new place, meet new people, serve a community, and have fun! Join other Caltech students for a non-traditional spring break experience and volunteer for a worthy cause. From the desert to the Sierras to more local urban experiences, there are a number of different community service trips that change from year to year. Communty Service

Rentals About We are pleased to announce the official launch of our new website for Caltech Y gear rentals! The platform has been upgraded and streamlined to enhance your rental experience. Rentals are only available to Caltech and JPL community members (students, faculty, staff, alumni). To facilitate a seamless rental process, please follow these instructions when you are ready to reserve items: Follow the prompts to create an account, providing all required information Register using your Caltech/JPL affiliated email address Select your desired pickup and drop-off dates Gear pickup and drop-offs are available exclusively on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10AM-4PM Make your payment through our secure system Review and sign the required waiver forms Submit your request Please note that the request submission alone does not guarantee the reservation. A member of the Caltech Y will approve your request, at which point your gear will be reserved. Your payment will be refunded if your request is not approved. All rental prices are subject to change. Please be sure to make the reservation no later than 5pm of the business day before your desired rental pick-up day. If you have any questions, please call (626) 395-6163 or email us at caltechy@caltech.edu . We look forward to serving your gear rental needs! RESERVATIONS What We Offer room rentals The Caltech Y has one room available for reservation for meetings or small programs. This room has access to a restroom. Please note there may be limited availability for these rooms. Reservation Periods begin: Fall: August 30 Winter: November 30 Spring: February 30 Summer: May 30 *Room reservations must be re-requested at the beginning of each term for continuous weekly reservations* The Frank Dryden Multi-Purpose Room is a larger space that is versatile for a variety of functions. It is furnished with stackable chairs and is suitable for groups up to 10. It also has a TV and VCR/DVD. Please email caltechy@caltech.edu or call 626-395-6163 to reserve - Pickup and Drop-Off hours are exclusively from 10am to 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. - Reservation requests can be made at any time online; however, gear can only be picked up or returned on our designated rental days which are Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays. - On which days can I rent equipment? - What are the pickup and drop-off hours? - You should make your reservation as early as possible to ensure availability. Online reservation requests can be made as early as 90 days in advance of your planned return date: however, no later than 5pm of the business day before your desired rental pickup day. - You must cancel your reservation no later than 5pm on the business day before your scheduled rental pickup for a full refund. Failure to do so will result in a 1-day charge for each canceled item or items not picked up, with the remaining balance eligible for a refund. - What is the cancellation policy? - How early should/can I make a reservation? FAQ - You will receive an email the day before or on the same day when your rental starts with information on how to pick up your reserved items. On your pickup day, you may pick up reserved items from 10am to 4pm from the numbered bins on the porch outside the Caltech Y or by following special instructions. Bin number and/or special instructions will be included in the pickup email. - How will I receive information about my rental pickup? - All tents MUST be set up and taken down by the renter after staff inspection upon return. An additional $20 fee per tent will be assessed if you are unable to set up or take down your tent at the time of return. If you are renting multiple tents or a 6-person tent, you MUST bring extra people with you to help set up. This process ensures that the person who rents the tent(s) after you has all the pieces and the tent is in good working order. - Are there any specific instructions for returning tents? - You will be charged to replace lost or damaged equipment. In general, charges are based on how long we have had the specific equipment. - 1st Year = full replacement cost - 2nd Year = 80% replacement cost - 3rd Year = 60% replacement cost - 4+ Years = 40% replacement cost - We are closed on weekends and holidays and cannot rent or accept equipment for returns during those times. You will be charged for the full rental period (even if you use the gear for only one day/night) and will return the gear on our next open day. - I only need to rent for one day. Why can’t I return gear on other days besides Mon/Wed/Fri? What is the rental fee policy? - I broke or lost equipment. Will I be charged?

< Back to all programs Y-Tutor Ongoing opportunity | Flexible Schedule To Participate: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8jzcbNajCIMUNHg4iLKakQD51eGZUXNab5KMTPdcRsSKbcw/viewform About Y-Tutor is a free, online math and science tutoring program for Pasadena college students. Volunteers make a direct impact by helping students strengthen their skills, gain confidence, and succeed in their STEM courses. About the Program Who we support: Pasadena City College students (through the MESA program, which serves low-income, first-generation STEM students) and Rise Alumni (former Rise Program students now in college). Format: Online tutoring sessions Schedule: Flexible, you set your own availability (students especially need evenings). Commitment: No long-term commitment required; students book sessions as needed. By providing academic support at the college level, Y-Tutor helps close achievement gaps and encourages more underrepresented students to pursue careers in STEM. Interested in joining this year’s group of tutors? Sign up here: https://forms.gle/ETNmvfgByU8LbbqB9 If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Camila Fernandez at camilaf@caltech.edu . Previous Program Next Program