First Generation | Health Education and Human Sciences | Lion VoicesDecember 06, 2024

'I'm ready. I'm prepared.': How Braden Nguyen Leaves UAFS

Written By: Ian Silvester

As his time at UAFS winds down, Braden Nguyen, a senior psychology student with an analytical statistics minor, approaches the path ahead with cautious optimism.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but I know that what I’ve learned here, what I’ve sought out, can translate wherever I go. And I know there’s always going to be people in my corner,” Braden said.

Braden, a Fort Smith native, came to UAFS as both a first-generation student and a first-generation American. His mom, a Vietnamese refugee and single mom, knew how difficult life could be without an education, so she pushed her sons to take every chance at education.

“She is so selfless,” said Braden. “She could have easily said, ‘Once you graduate high school, go to work and help out the family,’ but she didn’t. She gave me a choice. It didn’t matter if it was going to be a tight squeeze on the budget or living paycheck to paycheck. She didn’t want to cripple the opportunity for me. … She believed in me, and she believed I could change my story.”

Fully aware of what his mom gave up for his success, Braden applied for every scholarship he could. Earning a Pell Grant recipient, numerous university and UAFS Foundation awards, and a $24,000 scholarship from Tyson Foods, Braden maximized his family’s investment.

“These scholarships alleviated the stress of worrying about how the semester would get paid. It was just one less thing to worry about, and because of that, I could focus on the other things as a student,” he said.

Beyond paying for college, Braden also wanted to make sure he got as much out of his college experience as possible. He joined the UAFS Psychology Club, served on Cub Camp staff for three years, worked as a student alumni ambassador, lived in the LEAD living and learning community, and has helped his fellow students as an Academic Success Center (ASC) tutor.

But for all he has accomplished at UAFS, it wasn’t without a few hiccups, especially when he first arrived on campus. “I had all these obstacles. I couldn’t turn to my parents, I couldn’t turn to my family, and I couldn’t turn to my friends,” Braden explained.

So, what did he do?

“I took initiative,” he said proudly. “I took steps like walking into the ASC and knocked on my professors’ doors as a freshman. I sought out answers. … I think that’s just what’s different about me. We all have obstacles. I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to overcome them by taking the initiative.”

His initiative has paid off. From presenting research projects multiple times in the classroom, at the Annual Student Research Symposium, and at the Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students, to securing an internship at ABB set to begin shortly after graduation, Braden said he “feels equipped.”

“I’m not saying I have it all figured out, but I feel like I have all the effective tools and am ready. I know I’m going to be ok. I know I’m going to do great. UAFS has played a critical part in that,” he relayed.

Before accepting his degree, Braden has one more parting message for the Lions who will come behind him and find their way, thanks to what UAFS provides to those who seek it.

“Everyone has that grit inside of themselves. Let your time here be transformative for you, however long it may be. Know yourself and find your purpose.”

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