HGSE Admissions Blog

by Victoria Nguyen

At an early age, I recognized the significance of education, and as the daughter of two refugees, education was a priority in my household. Ever since elementary school, I realized the influence and opportunities that stem from education, but I also quickly became aware of the oppressive obstacles that exist for many marginalized students, simply based on their identities and existence. As a first-generation student at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities, throughout my educational journey I slowly recognized the institutional inequalities that exist in our modern educational systems, which ignited my desire and commitment to social justice.

Before coming to the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), I became intensely enamored with higher education. My undergraduate college experience provided countless opportunities to overcome the systemic barriers surrounding me, gain a sense of pride in my identities, and develop a passion for educational reform. My debut into higher education and student affairs began at the University of Utah, also known as “the U”, where I learnt how crucial education is to social justice – and vice-versa.

The start of my higher-education journey began in career services, then pivoted into many more facets of student affairs, including orientation, student engagement, DEI, housing & residential education, and campus activities. From firsthand experience and in a variety of higher-education segments, I witnessed how education holds endless possibilities and has the power to fundamentally change society, and student affairs plays a crucial role as that change agent.

Fostering a culture of belonging for students, staff, faculty, and community members has been a substantial focus of my professional, curricular, and co-curricular work. As written directly from my Statement of Purpose, “I specifically seek to continue my mission to support students from marginalized groups – with an emphasis on those at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities – to foster an inclusive environment and advocate for the authentic empowerment of these students to amplify their voices, aid in the development of their sense of identity, and invoke change in broader society.” At this point I knew that I needed support, empowerment, and a community to help me achieve this mission. That was what led me to apply to HGSE.

In October 2022, I was fortunate enough to attend the HGSE Diversity Recruitment Program, now known as Find Yourself Here, to get a better idea of whether HGSE was the right fit. In that moment, I witnessed the diverse community of lifelong learners with unique backgrounds, perspectives, stories, and a shared desire to uplift one another. The community and sense of belonging that HGSE fosters was extremely apparent in that moment (and still is). Being able to connect with individuals who share a like-minded mission and commitment to education was exactly what I needed.

Now as a HGSE student, I’ve received endless support from faculty members, fellow students, and the overall HGSE community. Each day is filled with so much wisdom, opportunities, and memories. The growth and strength that I’ve achieved in such a short amount of time through the shared lived experiences, enriching courses, and faculty mentorship is exponential. Even outside of the classroom, the deep-rooted support that I receive from my HGSE peers extends beyond Harvard. Through club participation, cohort interactions, and even study sessions, we are all developing into better educators and cultivating lifelong relationships that will aid us beyond HGSE.

I came to HGSE for support, empowerment, and a community to help me achieve my personal, professional, and academic mission. Fast forward a year later, that is exactly what HGSE has given me.

Victoria Nguyen (she/her) is an Ed.M. student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the Education Leadership, Organizations, & Entrepreneurship (ELOE) program, concentrating in Higher Education. Victoria is a University of Utah alumnus, where she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. While pursuing her undergraduate degrees, she previously worked at the University of Utah in Student Engagement & Assessment, Career Services, Marketing & Communications, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), and many more facets of student affairs, aimed at enhancing the student experience and amplifying student voices.