Countdown to Commencement: Tai Nguyen

Community service is embedded in Tai Nguyen's DNA. Born in Vietnam, Nguyen immigrated to the U.S. with his family as a child with the goal of becoming the first in his family to graduate from a university. After he completed his general education requirements at Evergreen Valley College, Nguyen realized he wanted to stay close to home to support his parents.

"My parents, being immigrants, struggle with English," says Nguyen, '26 Management Information Systems. "So they need someone to be with them to support and translate things for them."

It also helped that San José State's proximity to Silicon Valley tech was a big draw; the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business was a good fit for Nguyen's passion for data analytics, AI and technology-enabled business solutions. Originally a computer science major, Nguyen switched to management information systems when he saw how many of the same skills could be applied to help organizations perform more efficiently.

His background in computer science came in handy when he applied to be a Californians For All College Corps fellow through San José State's Center for Community Learning and Leadership, a service learning opportunity that pays up to $10,000 to undergrads who complete 450 hours of community service in an academic year. As a member of College Corps, Nguyen helped lead after-school STEM and coding programs for children at partner schools. An eager teacher and leader, Nguyen soon discovered that the program offered him a true home at SJSU.

"I decided to stay with the program for two more years so I could really practice my leadership skills and step out of my comfort zone as a leader," he says. "College Corps was very beneficial not only for my professional life, but my personal life."

In his third year at SJSU, Nguyen became a College Corps lead, overseeing a team of fellows. He credits his emerging leadership skills to Jalal Sarabadani, assistant professor of information systems in the Lucas College.

"Professor Jalal was very impactful; he left a big impression on me," says Nguyen. "He created problems that we could solve as a team. He's really proactive about staying connected with students. A lot of my skills that I have as a leader [I can credit to] seeing him teach the class. He's always asking for feedback, which is something that I also apply to my leadership role in the College Corps. It's something that I feel is really, really beneficial for me and my team."

Sarabadani describes Nguyen as "one of the most polite and professional students I have ever had during my time at SJSU."

"He always has a smile on his face and is proactive," Sarabadani says. "You don't need to tell him everything about a task; just give him the gist of it and he will take care of everything else. Tai is well-organized, a great team member and an enjoyable person to work with. I am happy that I have had a chance to have him as a student and friend now."

Now that his time at San José State is coming to an end, Nguyen is thrilled to continue his service learning as an Ideas to Inspire fellow through the Center for Community Learning and Leadership, a summer program that offers funding, mentorship and professional skill-building opportunities. Nguyen will be working for the office of San José Mayor Matt Mahan, where he'll apply his data analysis expertise to assist the city of San José.

"Tai demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to serving the community during his three years in the SJSU College Corps," says Andrea Tully, assistant director of the Center for Community Learning and Leadership. "He brings a positive attitude, reliability and dedication to every project he supports. His deep belief in the value of service has and will continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others."

Nguyen is waiting to tell his parents about his summer fellowship until after commencement, when he'll don cap and gown to accept his diploma - a gesture that requires no translation.

"The biggest thing I learned at SJSU? Showing up, really being there and making people feel supported," he says. "You don't really realize how big an impact you can make."