When Vui Nguyễn arrived at Cal State Fullerton to pursue her MBA, she carried the values of hard work, perseverance and a deep sense of purpose instilled from her family and upbringing in Thái Bình, Vietnam. Now, as she prepares to begin her Ph.D. in organizational behavior at Claremont Graduate University, Nguyễn is building on that foundation to serve others on a larger scale.
“Growing up in a farming family, I know what it feels like to be unseen,” said Nguyễn. “That experience shaped my commitment to elevating the voices of women and marginalized communities.”
During her time at CSUF, Nguyễn served as a graduate student assistant for the School of Nursing, a role that allowed her to support international and domestic students alike. Through this work, she connected with students from a range of backgrounds, actively listening to their stories and gaining a firsthand understanding of the challenges they faced.
Immersed in her coursework on leadership, management and microeconomics, she began to see leadership through a new lens, not as power, but as a service. This perspective sparked her interest in pursuing a doctorate focused on inclusive leadership practices.
“I realized I didn’t just want to apply knowledge; I wanted to create it,” she said. “Through my Ph.D. program, I aim to explore how servant leadership can empower Vietnamese youth and women, both in Vietnam and in the U.S.”
Nguyễn’s research will examine cultural barriers to women’s empowerment and aims to develop a model of leadership tailored to collectivist societies like Vietnam. Her work seeks to create culturally grounded frameworks that support ethical and inclusive leadership practices. She hopes this work will influence policy and education reforms in her home country.
After completing her studies, she plans to return to Vietnam and take on a faculty role at a university in her community, where she can mentor and empower the next generation of leaders. In addition to her academic goals, she aims to expand her consulting business to help Vietnamese students access U.S. education and launch leadership development programs in underserved communities.
“Leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room,” she said. “It’s about making sure everyone else’s voice can be heard.”
To learn more about opportunities for international students at Cal State Fullerton, visit the International Education and Engagement website.