Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Family,
We want to acknowledge that we're going through unprecedented times. Nonetheless, we have been impressed and inspired by our community's commitment to remain connected and collaborative. We're amazed by the students who have been hosting Facebook Live Optics Demos from their homes, and the students who have defended their incredible theses over Zoom! While we're disappointed that we won't have the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2020 in person, we want each and everyone one of you to know that we celebrate you, your accomplishments, your resilience, and the irreplaceable impact you've had on our community. We will miss you!
We also know that many of us are struggling with mental health and motivation during this period of physical distancing. Know that you're not alone. If you're struggling, please consider reaching out to Campus Heath (520) 621-3334 who are here to help navigate the challenges and changes we're all experiencing. Counseling sessions can be conducted remotely as needed. CAPS has also compiled a list of resources, including online support groups, to further assist students. If you find yourself in an immediate crisis do not hesitate to contact
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. By dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the call is routed to the nearest crisis center in our national network of more than 150 crisis centers.
And while we must be physically distant, remember that we are still socially connected! Make sure to stop by for events in the OpTea room pioneered by SOCk, and consider setting up Zoom productivity hours with friends. If you're a member of industry who is interested in connecting with students remotely to host a talk or workshop, reach out to us at wio@optics.arizona.edu.
Good luck on finals, you've got this!
WiO Board
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WiO Executive Board Elections
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WiO elections are this week! Students can nominate themselves using a Google Form for the positions of President, Vice President of Communications, and Vice President of Outreach & Advocacy through Wednesday, April 29th. Look for the 'WiO Officer Nominations' email in your OSC email inbox for the link to the nomination form.
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WiO Elections are this week! With nomination running until Wednesday, April 29th, ask yourself if you're team player ready to make some magic happen!
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WiO Spotlight is an installment series where we talk with students, staff, and faculty to share our passions and connect with our community here at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. This week's spotlight shines on OSC's Senior Academic Advisor, Jini Kandyil!
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Where are you from?
I was born in India, but came to the States when I was 3 (that’s 48 years here!). I grew up in Ruston, Louisiana, then went to college (Southern Methodist University) in Dallas, TX, where I got my Bachelors and Master’s Degrees. I moved to Tucson in 2008.
Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have a very cute dog and some somewhat less adorable fish.
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What is your professional background?
I’ve worked in a university setting for over 25 years, including the Registrar’s Office and the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. I’ve been at the UA since 2010. I started off at the UA Graduate College, then served as Graduate Coordinator for Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering and as Engineering Senior Design Coordinator before coming to Optical Sciences. I have been taking classes for about almost as long as I’ve worked at a University. Actually I went to work at the University just so I could take classes; even now, I’m taking law classes at the UA toward an MLS degree. I was an English major, Biology minor for my bachelors; masters is in experimental psychology.
What inspires you?
My (16 and 14 year old) kids inspire me to work hard. They are both strong women in their own right, and they pursue their interests without any notions about not being good at things because they’re girls. Still, my girls would probably say education is my biggest inspiration. I am a perpetual grad student myself, and I tell my kids that putting their best efforts in at school will get them the future they want for themselves. I enjoy working in a university environment because I am surrounded by people who believe as strongly and firmly in education and research as I do myself.
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Jini's inspiration!
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What are some of your hobbies?
I can beat almost anyone at Scrabble, ha ha. Hmmm… I also enjoy shooting pool. I like cooking, although it feels like drudgery when I have to do it on a daily basis. I love writing, painting, gardening and all kinds of music.
Why does diversity matter to you?
Diversity has always been important to me because fairness, and particularly opportunities for women, have always been important to me. I could have been raised a very traditional Indian girl, but fortunately for me, my parents always valued my academic performance over tradition, and my dad was the first feminist I ever knew. So, although I had 2 brothers, and Indian culture usually values their male children more, I was fortunate to have parents who were not very traditional. I grew up really understanding the importance of giving everyone a fair chance to grow and excel, because I got that chance even at home. Diversity is an outgrowth of what happens when everyone is given a chance to play/participate/grow.
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Writing & Workouts on OpTea Zoom, Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9 - 11am with Shelbi Jenkins. Twenty-minute writing intervals are broken up with 5-minute exercises to get your brain working and your body moving. No exercise equipment necessary!
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Prism Week Recap
This February, SOCk and Women in Optics hosted a “Prism Week” to highlight diversity within the college and promote the inclusion of everyone within the optics community. Each day of the week had a different theme, celebrating International Women and Girls in Science Day, the LGBT community, and different cultural backgrounds. Bookending the week were kick-off and concluding events to celebrate how different backgrounds and experiences contribute to a vibrant optics community. Just as a prism shows all the (visible) wavelengths of the light incident upon it, Prism Week celebrates all the different people within the optics community who combine their unique perspectives to innovate the optics and photonics of tomorrow!
While diversity and inclusion are constantly cited as important values, often programming surrounding these issues isn't prioritized in the hectic academic climate. The student organizations in the Wyant College of Optical Science wanted to bring visibility to these issues. By dedicating an entire week to these conversations, we wanted to show the student body and community at large that everyone belongs in optics. We wanted to bring together members of underrepresented communities and allies to give everyone a chance to learn about one another on a deeper level. By providing a forum for discussion participants were able to ask questions and gain deeper empathy for their peers.
Inclusion is one of the most important attributes an academic or professional community can possess. When members of a community feel included and valued they do their best work. Over the course of the week, we heard from students who for the first time felt at home in or heard by the optics community. Students and faculty asked questions about how they could be the most supportive and listened to others share their unique challenges and triumphs. While there is no way to "fix" Diversity and Inclusion in a week, we began many meaningful discussions and built new connections that will carry on into the future.
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We'd like to give a special thank you to the OSA Foundation for making this event possible!
We'd like to thank The Wyant College of Optical Science, Airy Optics, And HartSci for their financial support of Prism Week.
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We're also incredibly grateful to the following companies who sent us panelists to participate in our Women in Optics Panel and Optics Around the World Roundtable:
Edmund Optics, 4D Technologies, Ruda-Cardinal, Airy Optics, and the Wyant College of Optical Science
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