Coming Full Circle

Article originally appeared in the Spring 2002 issue of St. Olaf Magazine.

A first-generation student, Phan majored in Asian studies and carried out his senior work in the Paracollege on Southeast Asian and Chinese immigrants and refugees. Following graduation, Phan received a Fulbright Scholarship enabling him to research Singapore and Malaysian post-colonial literature. A week later, he received an offer from WorldTeach to teach English in Bangkok, Thailand. Phan deferred the teaching position until he completed his Fulbright work, then moved to Bangkok. A year later, he was offered a field directorship at WorldTeach.

“I was in the right place at the right time. The directorship allowed me to travel throughout Thailand and Vietnam,” Phan says. Three years of working for WorldTeach was followed by development work with a Bangkok-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Population and Development International (PDI). There he helped rural communities in Southeast Asia develop integrated health, community development and environmental conservation projects.

Returning to the Hill in 1999 as an admissions counselor, Phan continues his strong desire to serve by working with the Asian and Hmong Awareness groups on campus.

Two years ago the St. Olaf Educational Opportunity programs received an Intervention for College Attendance grant from the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office. These state funds enabled the TRIO programs to expand mentoring and parent outreach services, and also develop a new initiative in partnership with the St. Olaf Office of Admissions, resulting in a “College Club” for Minneapolis TRIO students.

“Students who find St. Olaf are looking for a place with academic rigor, where they can challenge themselves, feel comfortable and make friends,” says Phan who also works with the College Club group at North High School. “The students I advise talk about their friendships more than anything else. That’s an important part of that diversity picture. Students need a place where they can come and feel supported.”