Tiffany Huynh

• What does being a First-Generation College Graduate mean to you?

To me, being a first-generation college graduate means that the struggles of my immigrant parents were not in vain. Both left their homes and came to the United States in hopes of giving my sister and me more opportunities for success. Without their sacrifices, I would not be where I am today.

• What is your proudest moment from your time at UCSD?

I am most proud of my time in Saltman Quarterly’s Community Outreach Committee. Beginning in my first year, I worked with bright, creative people on projects that help to make STEM more accessible to K-12 students. Through this organization, I have had the opportunity to engage with students of all ages and backgrounds and gained experiences that have positively shaped my journey in becoming a science teacher. I am so grateful that I got to be part of something bigger than me and give back to the community that has given me so much.

• Who are the family members, friends or loved ones who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

Even before I got into UCSD, my mom was my biggest supporter. She instilled in me a great appreciation for education and helped build my work ethic. I know that she would be proud of my accomplishments, but so much of it is because of her. My sister, who is also graduating this year, has been a role model to me for years with her perseverance and resilience. My godfather has been cheering us on, and there has been no shortage of valuable advice from him. I would like to give a huge thanks to my boyfriend for being my rock throughout college. From being my study buddy to my food/adventure buddy, he has made my college experience memorable in more ways than one. I love you all so much and am glad that I get to share this big achievement with you.

• Who are the staff, faculty or mentors who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

All of my professors have been integral to my success at UCSD, though I would like to specifically thank Dr. Cooke, Dr. Bussey, and the Education Studies professors. Through his engaging lectures and upbeat personality, Dr. Cooke strengthened my knowledge of and love for science. Dr. Bussey’s classes constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone to consider ideas that I had never thought of before. And all of the EDS professors not only modeled good teaching practices but also showed time and time again that they truly cared about their students.

In addition to my professors, my PI, lab manager, and co-workers at the lab helped me appreciate science from a different angle. Although I am not going into research, I will take what I have learned in the lab with me as I go on to teach science in the classroom.

Last but not least, shout out to all of the wonderful IAs and TAs out there! I cannot express how helpful they were in making classes much more digestible.

• What do you plan or hope to do after graduating?

Shortly after graduating, I will be joining the Stanford Teacher Education Program Class of 2021 to obtain a M.A. in Education and a teaching credential. Following the graduate program, I plan to teach general science at the middle school level or biology at the high school level. My hope is that I will be able to make a mark on the generations to come by helping students reach their full potential.

I am also excited to check off a few more destinations from my travel list, starting with the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Zion, all of which were postponed due to COVID-19.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Community Outreach Chair, Saltman Quarterly

• Laboratory Assistant, Mellon Lab

• Biology Instructional Assistant