Raised in a working-class family in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Nghia Trong Phan left her hometown for the United States to pursue her parents’ dream of her son earning a college degree.

Three years ago, Fan took a risk and faced the challenge of living in a new country away from his family.

“I decided to pursue what many people in developing countries call the American dream. It changed my life and career path,” Huang said.

Phan attended community college, earned an associate’s degree from Antelope Valley College, and last year transferred to Cal State Fullerton for a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

“Studying computer science keeps me motivated every day by seeing how great technologies are contributing to progress in the world,” says Phan, who aspires to become a software engineer at a major technology company. says Mr.

Huang, the first in his family to go to college, won this year’s California State University Board of Trustees Award for Outstanding Achievement. CSU awards are given to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, personal achievement, community service, and financial need.

One scholar is selected from each of 23 campuses and is the highest recognition of CSU student achievement. Each award provides a scholarship funded by donors. Fan has received Edison International Scholar awards, including a $7,000 scholarship.

Fans and other winners will be recognized as part of the CSU Board meeting on September 13th.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I have the desire and determination to continue my higher education, but the financial burden is always there. is,” he said.

“It was an indescribable moment of joy when I received the news of the award.

Phan is a GPA 4.0 Distinguished Scholar and has participated in student organizations such as the Video Game Design Club, the ACM-Association for Computing Machinery, and CSUF’s Japan Anime Club. His professors praise him for his intuitive thinking, mathematical analytical abilities, and his positive attitude.

In his letter of recommendation to the scholarship selection committee, Rector Fram Virjee said, “The courage to adapt to challenges and willingness to change direction was a life-changing decision when he chose to join CSUF. It turned out,” he said.

“For him, our Titan community became more than an educational institution.

As an international student, Fan said he faced challenges such as cultural barriers such as not being fluent in English and economic struggles.

“These difficulties have given me the motivation to accept difficulties, overcome obstacles, learn from them and grow,” he said.

Pursuing a career in technology wasn’t Fan’s original plan. As a child, he wanted to become a teacher. One day, he hopes to combine his original dreams of teaching and computer science, and return to Vietnam to teach rural children about technological innovation. He wants to be a role model and champion by showing future generations what is possible.

“I want to share and spread my knowledge of technology with underprivileged children in my home country and contribute to improving the gap in education,” he said.

By earning a college degree and finding his own path in life, Hwang, who has a younger brother, said he’s also fulfilling his parents’ wishes for their children.

“My parents grew up during times of war and economic depression. Mr. Phan said:

“I always keep in mind to meet the expectations and wishes of parents to have their children educated because it opens the door to many opportunities,” Huang said.

“I’ve learned that if you don’t give up, even if you fail, you will always achieve something at the end of the day.”