Page 29 - Laker Connection 2014

student profile
EMILY TRAN
ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE AT CLAYTON STATE
Like many students at Clayton State University, Emily Tran was attracted to Clayton State because of its con- venient location to Atlanta, the serene campus, and the diversity of students and faculty represented at the University. A 2010 graduate of Cross Keys High School in Atlanta, she decided to attend Clayton State for the fall 2010 se- mester and enter the business program.
Emily graduated this May, having majored in marketing. She earned her bachelor’s degree in busi- ness administration. Emily is the first American-born woman in her family, and the first female to attend college. She deeply admires her parents and the many opportunities they have presented to her over the years.
“My parents have impacted my upbringing be- cause they have given up their lives in Vietnam and sacrificed everything to come to America in order for me and my three siblings to have a better future,” she says. “They have always pushed me to work harder and grasp all the opportunities that are open [to me] and never to give up.”
Emily has enjoyed every minute at Clayton State. “Being active on campus is my number one enjoyment and satisfaction. I am a busy body that loves to give back.”
Over the semesters Emily has participated in many extracurricular activities and on-campus or- ganizations; including SLIC (Student Leadership In- volvement Council), DEEP (Diversity Educational Experiences for Peers), AmeriCorps as a service learning team leader, the Resident Assistant (RA) program for on campus housing, as vice president of Habitat for Humanity, and as a student assistant for the Department of Campus Life. This year she com- pleted more than 1,000 hours of community service and received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. “This was my number one achievement be-
cause I was determined and persistent at giving back to the community,” she says.
She was also proud of being recognized as a Volunteer Coordinator for the Georgia Wounded He- roes non-profit this past summer. She successfully coordinated the Mud Crusade and the Color Run, which had more than 2,500 attendees.
Emily has also received several scholarships that have helped her attend Clayton State includ- ing the Hope Scholar- ship, the Booker T. Izell Scholarship, and the Segal AmeriCorps
Education Award. Emily hopes
that other students
will benefit from their college experience here at Clayton State. She emphasizes that Clayton State provides many opportunities that allow students to feel empowered and that will aid in making their col- lege experience memorable and successful.
“Get involved! When you are involved, you allow yourself to grow and meet great people that will help you throughout your college career. Be vul- nerable and put yourself out there, try new organiza- tions and attend different events to find your niche.”
Now that she has graduated, Emily hopes to be part of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) for two years and volunteer around the United States. She then plans to apply for graduate school at either the University of Vermont or Bowl- ing Green State University for her M.Ed. in Student Affairs. Her dream is to be a director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs or work for a non-profit fo- cusing on human trafficking.
__ Amanda Parham
Clayton State has taught me how to facilitate, coordinate, present, create essential skills, and find
myself. The Associate Director of Campus Life Lakiesa Cantey- Rawlinson, my mentor, has made me a better version of myself. She trained and developed me to understand what social justice means and how to create a change. Without her I would never be the leader I am.
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