As a first-generation college student and the child of Vietnamese immigrants, I have spent my life learning how to translate between worlds—between languages, cultures, generations, and now, between technology and humanity. My journey has taught me that empathy isn’t just about kindness—it’s about connection, and the commitment to help others feel seen, heard, and empowered. I believe I can use my talents in computer science, digital media, and community organizing to build a more empathetic and understanding global community, one project at a time. Growing up, I saw my parents navigate immense challenges without the privilege of higher education. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, my mother lost both her early childhood education business and real estate investments. Shortly after, my parents divorced, and my mom and I were left to rebuild with limited resources. We were emotionally and financially stretched, yet my mother insisted on supporting my education, even if it meant using her savings. This experience deepened my sense of purpose and inspired me to turn hardship into service. One of the most meaningful ways I’ve done that is through my leadership of the Vietnamese Youth Alliance (VNYA)—a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Vietnamese youth through cultural education and storytelling. As its Director, I’ve organized cultural events, led digital media campaigns, and created safe spaces for young Vietnamese Americans to embrace their identity and share their voices. This work isn’t just about cultural pride—it’s about helping people feel less alone, and more connected to something bigger than themselves. At the same time, I’m pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at the University of Utah. With a 3.98 GPA, I’ve been fortunate to apply my academic skills toward community service. As a teaching assistant and tutor, I help fellow students—many of them also first-gen—navigate difficult material with patience and encouragement. I believe that when people feel supported in their learning, they develop not just knowledge, but confidence and compassion. Looking ahead, I want to use technology to amplify empathy across cultures and borders. Whether it’s building educational tools, designing inclusive platforms, or using artificial intelligence for ethical storytelling, I hope to create technology that brings people together rather than pushing them apart. I’ve already started building toward that goal—through projects like a blockchain simulator, a privacy-preserving image processor, and interactive algorithm visualizations. But I believe the real innovation lies in human-centered design: using code not just to solve problems, but to heal divisions. As a first-generation student, I know the power of opportunity—and how easily it can be lost without the right support. I’ve worked multiple jobs, applied for every scholarship I could, and leaned on resilience more times than I can count. But I’ve also learned that I am not alone. There are communities out there—like this scholarship foundation—investing in students like me, who want to change the world not just with skill, but with heart. With your support, I will continue using my talents to build bridges between people, cultures, and disciplines—creating a future where empathy is not an afterthought, but the foundation.

From a young age, I’ve learned to find opportunity in every limitation. As the child of Vietnamese immigrants, I grew up watching my parents work tirelessly to build a better future—not just for themselves, but for me. My mother once ran a thriving kindergarten and real estate business. Her work was a source of pride, independence, and stability for our family. But everything changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Education businesses were forced to shut down indefinitely, and real estate investments froze in place. What once felt like a secure future quickly became fragile. In the years that followed, my parents went through a difficult divorce, and I primarily lived with my mom, watching her try to rebuild what she had lost. Despite her resilience, my mother’s business never fully recovered due to post-COVID economic instability and her own lingering health issues. Tuition payments became heavier with each passing semester. She spent nearly all of her savings to support my education because she believes in my dreams as much as I do. But this semester, the burden became too much. I had no choice but to rely on credit cards and outside loans to cover my summer tuition, leaving me in full debt. While I’ve always tried to minimize financial strain through scholarships and part-time work, the weight of this reality continues to follow me. Still, I’ve never let my circumstances define my limits. One of my proudest achievements—and the clearest reflection of my values—is my leadership role in the Vietnamese Youth Alliance (VNYA), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Vietnamese youth through cultural celebration, education, and digital storytelling. As Director, I’ve led creative media campaigns, organized community programs, and collaborated with other young leaders to ensure our culture has a voice in the digital age. Our events and outreach have reached thousands across Singapore—where I had my high school program, both in-person and online, promoting cultural pride and community resilience. This experience taught me that leadership is not about being in charge—it's about showing up consistently with empathy, creativity, and a willingness to serve. Leading VNYA while being a full-time student pursuing dual degrees in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at the University of Utah (with a 3.98 GPA) has not been easy. But I’ve learned how to balance passion and responsibility, even when time, energy, or money felt scarce. Beyond VNYA, I’ve used my technical and creative skills to serve my campus and broader community. As a teaching assistant for the School of Computing and a tutor in the Department of Mathematics, I’ve supported hundreds of students in mastering programming and math fundamentals. I’ve worked on advanced academic projects—such as a blockchain simulator and a privacy-preserving image processing tool—showcasing my dedication to building useful, ethical technology. My academic excellence has earned me several accolades, including honors in cybersecurity competitions, mathematics contests, and departmental scholarships. But perhaps most importantly, these experiences have given me confidence—not just in my academic abilities, but in my capacity to lead, serve, and innovate despite adversity. Being a low-income student has meant making difficult choices. I’ve worked multiple jobs, applied for every scholarship I could find, and often chosen service over comfort. But I’ve never questioned whether the pursuit was worth it. I believe education is not only my way out of poverty, but my pathway to creating meaningful, inclusive change. Looking forward, I hope to build tools and platforms that make technology more human. Whether it’s developing accessible educational software, designing culturally conscious media platforms, or contributing to ethical AI research, my vision is to bridge the gap between technology and underserved communities. I want to create systems that amplify underrepresented voices, especially those of immigrant youth like myself, who are too often overlooked in the digital world. Receiving this scholarship would provide more than just financial relief—it would offer the stability I need to continue my studies without the constant fear of falling behind because of circumstances beyond my control. It would allow me to invest more fully in my projects, education, and community without compromising my well-being. In a world where only 14% of low-income students earn a bachelor’s degree within eight years, I am determined to be part of that small but growing percentage who not only graduate, but thrive—and help others do the same. With this scholarship, I will continue turning hardship into fuel for action, and I will carry forward the values of resilience, service, and innovation in everything I do.

My journey into computer science and cybersecurity began with an insatiable curiosity about problem-solving, encryption, and digital security. Growing up, I was fascinated by puzzles, logic problems, and the intricate mathematical structures behind encryption algorithms. As I delved deeper into Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Utah, I discovered my passion for cybersecurity and applied cryptography—fields that demand both theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise. I first explored cybersecurity through Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions, where I had to think like an attacker—analyzing vulnerabilities, exploiting weaknesses, and defending digital infrastructures. In 2024, my team placed Top 15 in PwnSec’s Capture The Flag (CTF) Cybersecurity Competition and Top 10% in UT Austin’s CTF. These competitions taught me that cybersecurity is not just about defense—it’s about anticipating threats, understanding adversaries, and continuously evolving to stay ahead of attackers. One of the biggest challenges I faced in cybersecurity was bridging the gap between theoretical cryptography and its practical implementation. Many encryption techniques look mathematically sound but fail when deployed due to implementation flaws, side-channel attacks, or computational inefficiencies. This realization led me to embark on a research project in secure computing, where I developed a Fully Homomorphic Image Grayscaler—a system using Microsoft’s TenSEAL encryption scheme (CKKS) to apply grayscale transformations to encrypted images without exposing the underlying data. This project deepened my understanding of privacy-preserving computation and its real-world applications in fields like medical imaging, confidential data processing, and encrypted AI inference. Beyond cybersecurity, I have embraced teaching, mentorship, and academic research as essential parts of my journey. As a Teaching Assistant in the Kahlert School of Computing, I have evaluated over 1,000 student submissions, refining my ability to analyze, explain, and teach complex technical concepts. My work as a grader in the Department of Mathematics, where I assess coursework for thousands of students in Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations, has strengthened my problem-solving skills and mathematical intuition—both of which are crucial for understanding cryptographic security proofs and algorithmic efficiency. While cybersecurity is at the core of my computer science goals, I also have non-computer science aspirations centered around education, mentorship, and legal advocacy for emerging technologies. I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Secure Computing at the University of Utah and eventually become a professor specializing in cybersecurity and applied cryptography. I want to mentor the next generation of security professionals, conduct cutting-edge research, and contribute to policy discussions on digital privacy and security regulations. In the future, I plan to merge my technical and legal aspirations by specializing in cybersecurity patent law. As a professor, I will develop secure computing solutions while educating students on the technical, ethical, and legal aspects of cybersecurity. As an advocate, I will work with policymakers, industry leaders, and legal professionals to create robust frameworks for protecting cryptographic advancements and securing digital infrastructure. Beyond my career, I am committed to giving back to the University of Utah and the broader cybersecurity community. As an alumnus, I will continue mentoring students, guest lecturing, and supporting student-led cybersecurity initiatives. Through academic outreach and public engagement, I want to inspire more students—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to pursue careers in cybersecurity, cryptography, and secure computing. By combining my technical expertise, passion for education, and interest in legal advocacy, I aim to make a lasting impact on the fields of cybersecurity and digital privacy. My journey has been shaped by competition, research, mentorship, and perseverance, and I am excited to continue pushing the boundaries of secure computing, cryptographic innovation, and technology law.

Cybersecurity has always fascinated me because of its critical role in protecting digital information in an increasingly interconnected world. My passion for this field stems from a deep interest in problem-solving, cryptography, and secure computing, as well as the intellectual challenge of outmaneuvering cyber threats. The ability to safeguard sensitive data and build resilient security systems is what drives me to pursue a career in cybersecurity. My journey into cybersecurity began with my love for mathematics and logical problem-solving. As a student pursuing dual BS degrees in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Utah, I was drawn to cryptographic methods, network security, and privacy-enhancing technologies. My interest solidified when I started participating in Capture The Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competitions, where I experienced firsthand the complexity of penetration testing, cryptographic attacks, and exploit development. In 2024, I competed with the UofUCyberSec team, placing Top 15 in PwnSec’s CTF Cybersecurity Competition and Top 10% in UT Austin’s CTF. These competitions deepened my technical expertise, strengthened my critical thinking skills, and provided exposure to real-world cybersecurity challenges. One of the biggest obstacles I have faced in cybersecurity is the ever-evolving nature of threats and vulnerabilities. Unlike other technical disciplines with stable foundational knowledge, cybersecurity is a constantly shifting battlefield where attackers continuously develop new tactics. Staying ahead requires continuous learning, adaptability, and a strong foundation in both theoretical and practical applications. To overcome this challenge, I have immersed myself in hands-on research projects, one of which is my Fully Homomorphic Image Grayscaler. This project uses Microsoft’s TenSEAL encryption scheme (CKKS) to process images securely without exposing their data, applying principles of secure computation and privacy-preserving cryptography. This experience has strengthened my ability to analyze security vulnerabilities and design robust encryption techniques to mitigate threats. Many encryption techniques look strong in a mathematical sense but fail when deployed due to implementation flaws, side-channel attacks, or computational inefficiencies. My work as a Teaching Assistant in the Kahlert School of Computing has helped me refine my ability to explain complex security concepts to students and analyze cybersecurity applications from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Additionally, my experience as a grader in the Department of Mathematics has strengthened my problem-solving and analytical skills, both of which are critical in assessing security vulnerabilities and designing secure systems. These experiences have shaped my approach to cybersecurity by emphasizing the importance of both offense and defense. By participating in CTF competitions, I have learned to think like an attacker, anticipating how malicious actors exploit vulnerabilities. By working on cryptographic research projects, I have developed a defensive mindset, focusing on how to build security mechanisms that are robust against modern attack vectors. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Secure Computing at the University of Utah, furthering my expertise in applied cryptography, secure system design, and privacy-enhancing technologies. My long-term goal is to become a professor specializing in cybersecurity and applied cryptography, conducting cutting-edge research while mentoring the next generation of security professionals. Additionally, I aim to contribute to the field through patent law, ensuring that novel cryptographic techniques and security innovations are properly protected and legally recognized. Cybersecurity is more than just a career for me—it is a lifelong pursuit of protecting digital assets, securing data, and contributing to the advancement of privacy technologies. With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals has never been greater. I am committed to being at the forefront of this evolving field, using my technical expertise, research experience, and passion for security to build a safer and more resilient digital world.