laura trinh

(she/her/hers)

Candidate for External Vice president

APPLICATION RESPONSES

Why do you want to be on the Executive Board for UVSA Gulf Coast?

I want to be on the Executive Board for UVSA Gulf Coast because I believe there needs to be a change. I think there are hesitations on having big changes because we are so comfortable with how we have been doing things. Even if the change won’t be official during my term if I am elected, I would want to be part of that catalyst that pushes for us to grow in more ways than one.

What makes you a qualified candidate for this position? 

I believe that I am a qualified candidate for this position because I have had amazing opportunities to see how other VSAs work and prosper. I have had the ability to work one on one with many amazing individuals and receive their advice on how they were able to start many programs in their own respective region. I have started making a name for myself and UVSA Gulf Coast during my time in other regions. I believe my drive and ambition makes me qualified for this position.

What do you believe to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses as a leader? Please explain:

I would say my greatest strength as a leader is my ability to inspire and empower my team members to reach their full potential. I firmly believe in leading by example and creating an environment where everyone feels valued, motivated, and supported.

Additionally, I understand the importance of setting clear goals and expectations while also providing autonomy for my team members to innovate and take ownership of their work. This approach has led to increased productivity, collaboration, and ultimately, the successful delivery of projects on time.

One area I have identified for improvement is my tendency to sometimes take on too much responsibility and not delegate effectively. As a leader, I have a natural inclination to ensure that everything is done to a high standard, and this has led me to occasionally take on tasks that could have been delegated to others.

However, I’ve recognized the importance of delegation in fostering team growth and development. To address this weakness, I’ve been actively working on empowering my team members by delegating tasks based on their strengths and capabilities. I’ve also implemented regular check-ins and provided guidance and support to ensure their success in completing delegated tasks.

What is your vision for this position, as well as for UVSA Gulf Coast?

My vision for this position, as well as UVSA Gulf Coast is to be able to be more intermingled with outside our region. I would like us to be able to incorporate more programs and events. As I have been exploring other regions, I have noticed that we are the most exclusive region the more recent generations. I want to change that and have us be known to everyone. I want our members to be more open to exploring out and finding that there’s more to VSA than what they are getting now.

VSA & GENERAL RESUME

University of New Orleans Vietnamese-American Student Association (UNOVASA)

President, 2022-2023

External Vice President, 2022-2023

Union of Vietnamese Student Associations in the Gulf Coast (UVSAGC)

Board of Directors, 2023-2024

Union of Vietnamese Student Associations in the Midwest (UVSAMW)

VIA-1 ENT Member, 2023-Current

University of New Orleans (UNO)

Zeta Tau Alpha Director of Social Events, 2021-2022