Tien Nguyen, from Vietnam, is a senior majoring in Business Administration. Tien is the President of the Asian Cultural “Boba” Club, a Resident Assistant in Chandler Village, and a student employee in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development. She was also a member of the Student Entrepreneurship Program from 2020-2021.
Tien Nguyen
How did you get involved in campus life? What advice would you give to students who haven’t yet found their place on campus? When the Asian Cultural “Boba” Club started in the Spring semester of 2021 was when I actually felt like I wanted to make an effort to be more involved. I take a lot of pride in my background, and I wanted to support the first and only Asian representative club on campus at the time.
Going to club meetings as well as talking to new people was a big step outside of my comfort zone, but I found out pretty quickly that the people who went to those meetings had just the same intentions as I did, to make friends and meet new people who have the same interests. For a lot of people, it’s natural for them to start a conversation with a stranger or to make friends, for a lot of other people, it’s not, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The number of clubs and organizations has been growing so much, and of course, it can always be better, but I think it’s safe to say that there is a space for everyone here at Worcester State.
How do you think you’ve changed as a leader throughout your time at WSU, and what aspects of your experience most influenced this change? Just the way I view myself, I think I’ve become more proactive and reliable. Stepping into the position of an executive member of a club has given me the opportunities for this personal growth.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned when it comes to leadership? You can’t expect everyone to agree with your opinion.
What would you say has been your best experience here at WSU? It’s hard to pick one, but in general, it’s the feeling after successfully running an event and knowing that everyone has a good time and all the hard work you put in actually does pay off. It’s a very rewarding experience.
What advice would you give to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader, or the type of person, they hope to become? Be brave. You don’t know what you’re capable of until you try it.
What are your current plans for the next few years? My first plan is to hopefully get a job, and maybe to go back home to Vietnam sometime soon.
Tien and friends at Boba Club’s Lunar New Year celebration.
