What is your hometown? San Diego, CA

What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? Cal Poly Pomona - Bachelors of Science in Business Administration; emphasis in Management and Human Resources
University of La Verne - Master of Science in Leadership and Management; emphasis in Organizational Development
Pepperdine University - Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership

What motivated you to go to college? My parents shared the struggle they went through to survive and escape the Khmer Rouge. I had an opportunity they did not have with education and it was my obligation to take advantage of the opportunities.

Describe your college experience as first-generation. It was overwhelming as I felt like a little fish in a big pond. It took time to adjust and get use to being in college. The adjustments varied entering into each degree program. The constant was working is part of the equation.

What unique challenges did you face? There was a lot of pressure to succeed as the oldest of three siblings. I also had to work while attending college. I also had no understanding of the college resources that were available.

How did you overcome those challenges? I had to focus constantly with ensuring a healthy work/school balance. I did not give up when I failed classes and retook classes to pass and move on. I spent a lot of time reading the course catalog to make sense of what to do in college and explore what options I had when I was struggling.

What did you advise other first-generation students? It is not a race. It took me three years to get an Associates degree and transfer, five years to get the Bachelors Degree, two years to get a Masters, and five years to get a doctorate degree. You have many years of work life ahead of you. Take the time you need to what is best for you to finish your education. You are not a failure if you need more time.