Van Nguyen

Van Nguyen is originally from the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam and immigrated to the United States at a young age to reunite with her family. She earned a degree in Anthropology and Sociology with a concentration in criminal justice and a minor in international studies from Towson University. During her undergraduate years, she had the opportunity to participate in initiatives such as the Inside-Out Prison Exchange and Alternative Breaks where she attended classes with returned citizens in Baltimore and Detroit to understand the ethics of mass incarceration and criminal justice reform. She also studied abroad in London, which broadened her perspective on crime and punishment across nations. Curious to learn new cultures and values different from her own, she led efforts to showcase global traditions and encourage students to share their heritage through the campus’s international student group. 

Upon graduation, she started her career in refugee resettlement. She utilized strengths-based approaches to alleviate barriers for newly arrived refugees while supporting them in acquiring essential benefits, employment, financial literacy, and community resources. Prior to coming to the GHD program, she was a program officer for a federal employment program at Global Refuge, where she provided technical assistance and monitored refugee service providers across the network. Her work focused on increasing program capacity, improving implementation, and minimizing negative outcomes in alignment with the Office of Refugee Resettlement directives. 

Her career goal is to continue improving the quality of life of the people she serves and promoting self-sufficiency through economic empowerment and educational programming. During her travels to remote areas of the world, she witnessed innovations in communities, and it sparked her interest in public service on a global scale. She wants to deepen her development skills and expand her knowledge of foreign aid programs.

In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, practicing yoga, exploring new plants for her mini gardens and is an advocate for solo traveling.