On November 7, 2024, the Rayback Collective in Boulder hosted 65 current and former members of the JILA community gathered for the "Life After JILA" alumni mixer. The event, now managed by the JILA Association of Graduate Students (JAGS), offered an evening of reconnection, networking, and celebration of JILA's rich history and community.

Among the attendees, around 27 graduate students, approximately 18 JILA alumni, postdocs, staff, and faculty shared stories and insights. The mixer allowed current students to hear firsthand about life after JILA and for alumni to reconnect with familiar faces and make new connections. Attendees enjoyed various delicious food and engaging conversation in a lively, informal setting.

As JAGS continues to lead the "Life After JILA" program, the group looks forward to fostering stronger ties within the JILA community, helping graduate students connect with alumni, and keeping the spirit of JILA alive beyond the institute's walls. The success of this mixer was a testament to the strength of the JILA community and the shared bonds that continue to unite JILAns, past and present.

Read more about JAGS at their website. 

Written by Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, JILA Science Communicator