What inspires my work?
I was born and raised in Vietnam, and I arrived in the U.S. at 13 years old, landing in Minneapolis in the middle of a freezing winter. Everything felt new to me: the weather, the culture, the language. That experience shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time, but looking back, it gave me a deep appreciation for what it’s like to navigate big life transitions.
I’ve always loved language, culture, and storytelling, which led me to study Communication and East Asian Studies in college. Later, I earned a Master’s degree in Intercultural Relations, focusing on diversity training and consulting. From there, I spent over a decade working in college admissions, counseling, and higher education, helping students figure out their paths, just like I once had to do.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats, including coordinating programs, leading multicultural recruitment efforts, building community partnerships, and reading countless college applications and essays. No matter the role, my goal has always been the same: to help students see their potential and make college more accessible, especially for those who don’t always see themselves represented in higher education.
One of the most rewarding parts of my career was working with students in Boston public schools, where I developed programs and secured funding to support about 100 students a year, and many of them were first-generation, like me. I helped families navigate the admissions process, organized campus visits, and guided students toward top colleges and major scholarships.
When my second child was born, I stepped away from full-time work to focus on my family. But I knew I wasn’t done helping students. So, I found a new way to do what I love. I earned a graduate-level certification in College Counseling from UC San Diego and launched Trang College Counseling.
Currently, I live in Southern California (Riverside County) with my husband and two teenage sons; both are in high school. Because of my husband’s profession, our family has lived in several places over the years, including Minneapolis, Massachusetts, the San Francisco Bay Area, and coastal San Diego.
When I’m not working with students, I continue learning about the evolving college admissions landscape through podcasts, webinars, and professional resources.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking and trying new restaurants, and exploring different cuisines. In my kitchen, that might mean making a pot of beef phở one weekend and chicken shawarma the next.
When I get some quiet time, you’ll likely find me reading or listening to crime and suspense novels by authors like David Baldacci, Brad Thor, and James Patterson, watching documentaries or true-crime shows such as 48 Hours and 20/20, or catching up on Mandarin and Korean dramas, a hobby I’ve enjoyed for more than twenty years.