Solar and Space Physics with the Boulder Solar Alliance: Past, Present, and Future

The Boulder Solar Alliance has organized a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program since 2007.  This talk will review the history of the program, its current state, and plans for the future.  Spoiler alert: the program is strong and will continue!  We have achieved great success in recruiting a diverse cohort of students (and mentors) over the years.  I will talk about our successes, and of course areas for improvement. 

I have directed the program since 2010, but I will be transitioning to a position in South Africa at the Space Weather Warning Center in Hermanus.  I will talk a bit about what I envision for my new role, why I accepted the offer, and what I hope to achieve.  South Africa has recognized that they have a deficiency in solar physics, so they sought out an international candidate through their Research Chairs Initiative to begin building a solar physics community.  This is a great opportunity to build collaborations between HAO and the next generation of solar physicists in SA.