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Marketing & Communications Co-Chair < Back Ann Motrunich Marketing & Communications Co-Chair Ann joined Caltech as a writer in 2008, creating materials that attract and celebrate philanthropic support for Caltech research, education, and student life. In 2020, she joined Caltech’s Office of Strategic Communications, taking on a broader variety of communications and a role in neighbor and community relations. She holds an MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of Arizona and a BS in environmental interpretation from Western Washington University. Committee Affiliation: Communications & Marketing Committee Co-Chair Previous Next

About Us The Caltech Y's mission is to enrich student life and challenge students to grow into responsible citizens of the world. The Caltech Y is an independent 501c3 organization recognized by and formally affiliated with the California Institute of Technology. Founded by students in 1916, the Caltech Y seeks to broaden students’ worldviews, raise social, ethical, and cultural awareness through teamwork, community engagement, activism, and leadership. For more than 100 years, the Caltech Y has enriched the lives of Caltech students through a wide variety of programs and services that are initiated and led by students. We supplement and complement the excellent academics of Caltech by providing a variety of co-curricular events and activities for all campus members. Our programs fall within our 5 pillars: Leadership, Service, Adventure, Civic Engagement, and Perspective. GET INVOLVED Pillars Leadership Students play a key role in initiating and organizing every Caltech Y program and activity. The Caltech Y leadership activities give students meaningful opportunities to sit on a nonprofit board, program committees, manage budgets, and plan programs from start to finish. Service A range of on-campus and off-campus community service projects fits each student's schedule and interest. This includes tutoring for the Caltech Y Rise Program, Reading Partners, serving meals at Union Station Homeless Shelter or Alternative Spring Break service trips. Civic Engagement Students learn to be effective citizen scientists and to address diverse issues that face us today - on campus, and in our local, national or global communities. Adventure Outdoor trips to many exciting venues each year service student adventures - from novice to seasoned. Day trips and multi-day trips afford students the opportunity to escape the daily rigours of Caltech. Students learn about themselves and explore the boundaries of their comfort zones within the ease of a trip guided by other students. perspective Caltech Y programs broaden student views through cultural exchanges and service opportunities, students see that they can have an impact on the world beyond their own vocations, and they learn how to affect change locally, nationally, and internationally. Meet the staff Land Acknowledgement The Caltech Y resides on the ancestral homeland of the Tongva (Gabrielino) people, the original stewards of this land. In offering this land acknowledgement, we make no attempt to undo centuries of systemic colonization and genocide faced by Indigenous peoples on this land. Today, the Tongva people continue to maintain their deep connection to these lands through their culture, ceremonies, and care for the environment. As guests on this land, we acknowledge our role in helping students grow into responsible citizens of the world, central to which is striving to seek justice for Indigenous peoples, spreading knowledge about the land we are on and the stewards of it, as well as bringing awareness to the stolen land and forced removal that has happened here.

Student Leaders ExComm Outdoors SASS LEAP Outreach Leaders The Student Executive Committee (ExComm) is the central programming team for the Caltech Y. Composed of both undergraduate and graduate students, the ExComm plans and implements programs. Members of the ExComm also serve on the Caltech Y Board of Directors, which oversee all aspects of the Y operations and development. Membership in the Caltech Y ExComm is limited; however, participation in meetings and events is not. Many students are actively involved in leadership through the Caltech Y without being members of the ExComm. For more information, contact us or visit the About Us section to find someone you know from the current Caltech Y ExComm Roster. Shrujanna Kunnam Undergraduate President Arabella Camunez Undergraduate VP External Benjamin Boone Undergraduate ExComm ChiChi Ifebi Undergraduate ExComm Robert Joseph Graduate VP Internal Subham Sahoo Undergraduate Cabinet Cecilia Moxley Undergraduate ExComm Veronika Voss Undergraduate ExComm Shrishti Pankaj Kulkarni Undergraduate VP Internal Rachel Tham Graduate Cabinet Jena Alsup Undergraduate ExComm Adoniya Paul Undergraduate ExComm Robert (Otis) Otieno Undergraduate VP External Lila Rodriguez- Aceves Undergraduate Cabinet Madi Tongco Undergraduate ExComm The Y-Outdoors Committee consists of enthusiasts interested in planning outdoor adventures for students at Caltech. The committee meets twice a month to organize and plan trips and is open to any student interested in coordinating or helping with outdoor adventures. Rithvik Ramesh Graduate Benjamin Boone Undergraduate Camilla Fezzi Undergraduate Tim Proudkii Graduate Omid Aligholamioskooee Graduate Felix Weber Graduate Elina Sendonaris Graduate Kyle Hunady Graduate Emily Nikas Undergraduate Sub Sahoo Undergraduate Arabella Camunez Undergraduate Ria Rosenauer Visiting Student The Caltech Y Student Activism Speaker Series (SASS) Committee consists of graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in bringing distinguished speakers to campus who challenge the community through the exchange of thought-provoking ideas. The SASS Committee is open to anyone interested in inviting speakers and coordinating events. CeCe Abramson Undergraduate Simon Anuszczyk Graduate Sana Paktinyar Undergraduate Paul Bean Graduate Donny Lu Undergraduate Raaghav Malik Undergraduate Madison Howard Graduate Konnor von Emster Graduate ChiChi Ifebi Undergraduate Ashlyn Roice Undergraduate Aaron Weaver Graduate 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 . This is particularly a pressing problem for Title I schools in rural areas that serve students from disadvantaged backgrounds. To help address this issue, Peiwei, Frank, Jingjing and Suchitra co-founded the LEAP project in early 2022 to help public school teachers get lab equipment they need from labs at Caltech. After the initial success, we have now expanded the program to also support community colleges in Central Valley. By lifting the constraints posed by limited resources like lab equipment, the LEAP project hopes to make a lasting impact that will enable students from underserved communities to make that leap they've been wanting to make towards their own goals, whatever those goals might be. For more information visit https://leap.caltech.edu/ Andres Rodriguez Graduate Inhoo Lee Undergraduate Vy Nguyen Graduate Cai Tong Ng Graduate Jingjing Sun Postdoc Victor Garcia Graduate Tomasz Gawda Graduate Jesus Galeana Graduate Details coming soon!

< Back to all programs Hawaii ASB TBD TBD for 2026 To Participate: About 2026 trip will be announced in the fall The Caltech Y is excited to announce an ASB trip to Hawai’i. Join other Caltech students on one of our non-traditional spring break experiences in the Big Island of Hawai’i, where we will explore the complex relationships between humans and nature while learning responsible stewardship practices from Indigenous, specifically Kānaka ‘Ōiwi (Native Hawaiian), and contemporary knowledge systems and values. We will travel to Hawaiʻi island and explore multiple diverse environments ranging from sea-level to the alpine zone ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 ft. in elevation. Students will enjoy a rustic cabin camping experience at campgrounds in protected conservation lands and see the some of the spectacular scenery Hawai’i has to offer. Through guided facilitation, students will be allowed to access pristine conservation land and learn from cultural experts. Our group will participate in service work, engaging in endemic/native plant restoration, and learn from Native scientists about the sustained observation of diverse environments that created storied land, ocean, and skyscapes of Hawaiʻi island. The goal of this co-learning is to demonstrate the reciprocal relations of kānaka (humans) and ʻāina (the land) Trip costs includes lodgings and most meals; flights; educational sessions; and of course, the opportunity to explore beautiful Hawai'i. Don't miss this opportunity! Previous Program Next Program

Who We Are What We Do Upcoming Events Calendar Weekly Announcements Media Become a Friend Contact More CONNECT WITH US TODAY (626) 395-6163 Tyson House 505 S. Wilson Ave. Pasadena, CA 91106 MC: C1-128 Pasadena, CA 91125 caltechy@caltech.edu Send Thanks! Message sent. We'll be in touch shortly :)

tutor information About Rise! The Rise Program is an afterschool math and science-focused tutoring program serving public schools 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 the tutoring. Tutoring is offered in-person and online. Tutoring Schedule: The Rise Program is offered 4 days a week, Mondays through Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tutors select their preferred day. Schedule changes can be accommodated. Location: Tutoring takes place in the Hameetman Student Center on Caltech's Campus, at John Muir High School, and online. APPLY HERE VIEW THE CALENDAR Tutor Resources: All tutors must attend a mandatory orientation meeting before tutoring in a Caltech Y Program. Ongoing tutor training will be provided throughout the year. Here are some additional resources for tutors: Trainer Workshops Tutor Basics Active Communication Identity & Unconscious bias Training with Lybroan James tutor guide Rise Tutor Guide Tutor Trainer Tips tutor workshops Motivating Students Building Confidence Mentoring Students What Works & What Doesn't

< Back to all programs Explore LA: UCLA vs. Washington $27 Saturday | Nov. 22, 2025 | Time TBD | Tickets: $27 | Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena CA To Participate: https://go.caltechy.org/event/817 About Join us for an exciting day at the Rose Bowl as the UCLA Bruins take on the University of Washington Huskies! Experience the energy of college football, cheer alongside fellow Caltech students, and enjoy one of LA’s most iconic sporting venues. Spaces are limited. Fill out the RSVP form to reserve a ticket. Those who secure a spot will be emailed a link and a payment deadline to complete their purchase via credit card. Spots not paid for by the deadline will be offered to participants on the waitlist. Transportation is not provided. Leaders will share a spreadsheet with participants to coordinate carpools if desired. Previous Program Next Program

< Back to all programs Updated Eaton Fire Response Donate to the Y Fire Fund To Participate: https://www.every.org/caltech-y?method=bank%2Cpaypal%2Cvenmo%2Cpay%2Cgift%2Ccrypto%2Cstocks%2Cdaf&utm_campaign=donate-link#/donate/bank About Introducing the Caltech Y Fire Fund: Thank you to the support of our community we have already raised over $2,500 to support Caltech Y Student-Led Fire Relief Projects . Check out this Pasadena Now article about Y fire efforts here . Donate to the Fire Fund *Indicate Y Fire Fund in the notes section Volunteer Opportunities and Support the Y's Fire Relief Efforts: ✨ ROWW has some gaps in coverage and really needs more volunteers for the multiple days of furniture pickups for those affected by the Eaton Fire. ROWW VOLUNTEER SIGN UPS ✨ Carrows Distribution Center volunteering: sign up at this link ✨ The Caltech Y is a proud partner of the Eaton Fire Collaborative: A United Effort for Recovery & Rebuilding - eatonfirecollaborative.org In response to the recent devastation impacting Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre , the Eaton Fire Collaborative has come together to support the rebuilding and recovery of our community. This unified effort brings together community groups, local nonprofits, city, county, and state officials dedicated to helping those affected. This group has been meeting weekly since January 14th behind the scenes to create this unified group. Our mission is to provide a coordinated response and clear communication to ensure that resources, assistance, and information reach the people and organizations that need them most. Our Shared Goal: We are committed to ensuring that those most impacted by the Eaton Fire are at the forefront of this conversation, leading our collaborative efforts to align our response with the community’s real needs. Stay tuned for more updates and visit eatonfirecollaborative.org to get involved! #Altadena #EatonFireRecovery #DenaStrong #RebuildTogether A message from the Executive Director: Dear Caltech Y Friends, The devastating fires in the Los Angeles area have affected countless lives. We are fortunate that our staff remains safe, although some are still displaced. We are heartbroken for the many community members who have suffered significant losses, including losing their homes. If this is you, please know that our hearts go out to you during this unimaginably difficult time. As we navigate the road to recovery together, we are working to assist local partner organizations with volunteer and donation needs, compile resources to keep the Caltech student community aware of ways to help, as well as reaching out to families in the Rise tutoring program to assist where we can. Our community is forever changed by these events, but the outpouring of support gives us strength and hope. The Caltech Y is committed to both immediate and long-term recovery efforts, and we will remain in close contact with community organizations to provide ongoing support in the months ahead. If you are looking for ways to help, here are a few resources: Caltech Y has established a Fire Relief Fund to support student-led fire recovery projects The Harris-Bacor Family Foundation, a long-time supporter of the Rise Program, has launched the Eaton Wildfire Relief Fund to assist families in immediate need. We are continuing to identify other organizations accepting donations and coordinating relief efforts. With love and solidarity, Athena Castro On behalf of the Caltech Y Board, students, and staff Previous Program Next Program

Vice Chair < Back Kevin Maxwell Vice Chair Kevin is the Vice President, Corporate Controller at Alo Yoga and Bella Canvas also having served in roles at FabFitFun and Warner Bros. He began his career in PwC's assurance practice, attaining the title of Director. Kevin has a Bachelors of Science in Business and a Masters in Accounting from the University of Arizona. Committee Affiliation: Executive Committee, Finance Committee Previous Next

Muir Rise Math & Science tutoring by Caltech students All levels welcome Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:45pm-4:45pm Room A-136 Starting: Tuesday Oct 8th 2024 Application: https://airtable.com/appIGS8IvKeMJj2DA/shrRyujTlT79bDiQU For more information email rise@caltech.edu

< Back to all programs Rise at Anawakalmekak Weekly Commitment To Participate: https://go.caltechy.org/event/814 About Join the Rise Program’s newest off-site location at Anawakalmekak in El Serreno and help urban Indigenous youth achieve their academic dreams. Volunteers work one-on-one with high school students, help students get ready for the ACT, and learn from community-based approaches to science and education. Email caltechy@caltech.edu to learn more. Previous Program Next Program

Governance Chair < Back Debbie Dison Hall Governance Chair Debbie is a Caltech alum (BS ’74), retired lawyer, and former partner at Allen Matkins’ Los Angeles office. She is a life member of the SURF (Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship) Board where she served as the Board chair from 2013 to 2015. Debbie was also a board member with the YMCA of the Foothills, President of the Caltech Alumni Association, and served on the Caltech Y’s board of directors from 2009-2014. While she was on the Y board, she served as Governance Committee Chair for several years. Debbie currently volunteers as a judge for the local court system. Committee Affiliation: Executive Committee, Governance Committee Previous Next