Biography

Minh was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, with family roots stretching back to South China. At age ten, he immigrated to Los Angeles, where he attended Arroyo High School and was a leader in student government, speech and debate, and community service.

He now lives in Durfee as a proud MoCoFroCo (Morse College Freshman Counselor). He is a Psi Chi Honors Society Psychology major conducting research on visual perception and unconscious racial biases. He is also a student in the Yale Teacher Preparation program and has taught in an elementary school and summer programs in New Haven, Hong Kong, Beijing, Barcelona, and Locmine, France. Minh serves as the CT Academic Decathlon State Director, Founder of the Yale Interreligious Leadership Council, and he dances with Konjo, Yale’s West African Dance Troupe. After Yale, Minh will join Teach for America in Connecticut and - with your vote - the New Haven Board of Aldermen.

At Yale, Minh has worked for the Yale Admissions Office as a Senior Interviewer and Student Ambassador. He has also served as President of the Undergraduate Advisory Board to Indigo Blue: Center for Buddhist Life at Yale, Vice President of the Morse College Council, Secretary of the Sophomore Class Council, and Member of the Freshman Class Council and the Student Search Committee for Dean of Yale College.

In New Haven, Minh has worked with children at seven schools, as a Dwight Hall Public School Intern, as a member of the Teaching Prep program, or as dancer with his African dance troupe, Konjo. He has spent the past three summers in New Haven: the first teaching middle school with the U.S. Grant Program, the second teaching environmental stewardship to children at Westville Manor, and the third conducting research on race relations.

John C. Schroeder Award, New Haven, CT (May 2008). Presented to three Yale juniors (out of 1,300) “who have contributed to residential college life and who, in the opinion of the committee, will play a part in the good labor of the world.” Awarded monetary gift of $4,800.

Rockefeller Brothers Fund Fellowship for Aspiring Teachers of Color, New York, NY (March 2008). Awarded $22,100 to support a senior summer project, graduate study, and loan repayment in recognition of “academic performance, personality, and a demonstrated commitment to public education and public service.” Elected from a national competition of hundreds of candidates.

William C. Rands Memorial Scholarship, New Haven, CT (Feb 2008). Awarded to one Yale student based on “past and present academic achievements and extracurricular activities, and also promise as a member of the Yale community.”

T.A.P.S. Award, New Haven, CT (May 2007). New Haven Superintendent Reginald Mayo selected 21 Teachers, Administrators, Parents and Support Staff (T.A.P.S.) out of over 200 nominations to receive the Award for demonstration of “tremendous commitment to children and to the school system.”

Presidential Freedom Scholarship Award, El Monte, CA (June 2005). Signed by President George W. Bush, the Award honors “outstanding student leaders who give their time and talents to improving lives and strengthening communities.”

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