The Office of Inclusive Excellence| Issue # 4 Spring 2018
Phuong Nguyen, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, School of Humanities & Communication I am assistant professor in the Humanities & Communications Department (HCOM) at CSUMB, where I teach courses in U.S. history and Ethnic Studies. I am especially proud of this fact because it proves that one can accomplish so much with enough hard work and support along the way. My family arrived in the U.S. as refugees without any money to our name, and while we encountered some racism and discrimination, we also met some very welcoming people here in Monterey, where I grew up, and took advantage of resources, programs, and support that were so essential to my success. Before college, my only natural talent was as an artist who could draw anything I saw, but because of great teachers and counselors, I transformed myself into a well-rounded student, and because of an affordable public university system, I became the first person in my family to graduate from college. Since becoming a college professor in 2013, I’ve tried to pass on the formal knowledge listed on the syllabus that inspires us as individuals along with the values of community, creativity, and cooperation that inspire us to create a better society.
FUN FACTS What was your favorite subject in school? I enjoyed all my classes in school. In third grade, Ms. Sheldon instilled in us an appreciation of literature by reading poetry aloud. In fourth and fifth grade, Ms. Lind taught us the magical possibilities of science. In high school, Mr. Hoffman was the fearless leader of our school newspaper. In college, I looked forward to required classes in Ethnic Studies as well as elective courses in gospel choir and public speaking. And in graduate school, the PE courses were the best relief from the stresses of intellectual life. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I learned long ago that it’s not so much where you live, but with whom you’re with that counts. What is one of your proudest accomplishments? Co-founding the first ever Asian American film festival in upstate New York. People of color are so poorly represented in mainstream media that we have to create and sustain support networks for self-representation. What is the best advice you have ever received? A job is only as good as your boss.
What was the most daring thing you have ever done? Date (and ultimately marry) someone from another country (albeit Canada). Where was the most inspiring place you have visited? The landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement because I met people who reminded me of the power and possibility of love trumping hate. What is the most unusual thing in your desk drawer? I keep rejection letters nearby to stay humble and hungry at the same time. What was the most unusual job you have ever had? I used to work summer day camp counselor. Despite the low pay, it was the most fun I’ve ever had because, as my boss told me, “you’re getting paid to play.” If you weren’t doing what you do today, what job would you be doing? Hopefully something creative.
