Drs. Hui Su and Chengxing Zhai’s connection to the Caltech community began years ago as staff members at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, managed by Caltech for NASA. Their bonds strengthened as they became Caltech parents of two undergraduates, Alice Zhai (BS ’19) and Albert Zhai (BS ’21), and started to contribute to the Caltech Fund. Although they now live in Hong Kong, distance has not diminished Su and Zhai’s connection to the Institute or their conviction that a Caltech education can change lives.

"Even after our children graduated, we remain committed to supporting Caltech, particularly through scholarships," says Su. "Alice and Albert thrived here, both intellectually and personally, and we want future students to have the same opportunities. Scholarships are more than financial aid—they’re investments in potential, removing barriers so the next generation of innovators can focus on pushing boundaries."

Daughter Alice has gone on to earn her MBA from Harvard University and has co-founded a startup with a classmate while their son Albert is a PhD candidate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Undergraduate scholarships make it possible for outstanding students to attend the Institute, regardless of their financial circumstances. The Initiative for Caltech Students, the Institute’s first fundraising campaign focused solely on students, ended on March 31, 2025, having raised $255.5 million to support the student experience—including more than $108 million for undergraduate scholarships. Thanks to donor support, more than 75 percent of the undergraduate class of 2024 graduated debt-free. The Institute aspires to achieve 100 percent debt-free graduation, which will require continued support from generous donors like Su and Zhai.

Family Ties

While at JPL, Su worked as an atmospheric scientist addressing extreme weather due to climate change. Zhai was also involved in climate science research, but his time at JPL would lead him to observing small asteroids for planetary defense purposes. He retired from JPL and they moved to Hong Kong in 2022 and 2023, respectively, where Su now researches typhoons in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Zhai works on inter-disciplinary topics involving artificial intelligence at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

When it came to considering colleges, recalls Su, their daughter Alice at first wasn’t sure if Caltech was the right fit. According to her parents, she soon found a network of peers who would become lifelong friends. Albert followed his sister just two years later and with much less reticence. "Caltech had been his dream school for a very long time," recalls Su. "He didn’t have a second choice."

Zhai appreciated the unique opportunities the Caltech experience offers students, such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program as well as a student culture he describes as collaborative, not competitive. "For example, when you are doing homework you can work together, but you need to follow the Honor Code and write your own answers," says Zhai. "That means that you are responsible for your own work, but you can achieve it by collaborating with your peers. When you have teamwork, you figure out things and understand things together."

According to Su, she realized her son was thriving after the first month of living on campus when she asked Albert if he missed home. His reply? "I am at home!" At that point, Su and Zhai knew he was in good hands.

Strong Bonds

Earlier this year, the Caltech and JPL community struggled with a devastating wildfire. Although physically far removed from Caltech, Su and Zhai stepped up to support their community by contributing to the Caltech and JPL Disaster Relief Fund. Following in her parents’ footsteps, Alice also donated to the fund.

"Because of the small community at Caltech, we feel like a family," says Zhai. "We have a lot of close connections with the parents of students." Prior to moving to Hong Kong, Su and Zhai attended campus events and participated in activities such as hosting a send-off for new students and their parents. Now they stay engaged through a WeChat group for parents. According to Su, the app helps them celebrate student achievements and feel connected to the campus’s vibrant pulse.

"We still have a strong bond with the Caltech family," says Su. "We love Caltech and hope to remain connected forever." She encourages new parents to participate in Caltech events and enjoy the many opportunities to make memories. "The bonds your children form here will endure long after graduation," she adds. "Caltech is more than a university—it’s a beacon of curiosity and collaboration."

Top image: The Zhai family taken in Guilin, Guangxi Province, courtesy of Hui Su