Kimberly Giangtran

“I’ve always been naturally inclined to lead – not to be in charge, but to empower.” This philosophy served Kimberly well during the COVID-19 pandemic as she served as Associated Students (AS) President at UC San Diego. “As student body president, I’ve had to navigate a pandemic not only as a human being but also as a student leader who had to maintain composure and provide stability through it all for my peers.” Leadership has never been about the role or title to this Thurgood Marshall International Studies – International Business major. “It’s about the impact and difference I am able to make. It’s about working with and for the community I serve. It’s about mobilizing groups of people. It’s about creating new leaders. It’s about leaving something better than how I found it.”

During her term as AS President, Kimberly served as the primary student representative for over 30,000 undergraduate students to administrators, staff, and faculty, and managed an organization of over 150 student employees, 16 office departments, and a $7 million budget. Additionally, she advocated for student needs in committees and workgroups consisting of majority staff and administrators. Navigating unprecedented times, Kimberly played a vital role in safely bringing students back to campus, led the charge to secure academic accommodations for students, reallocated the Associated Students budget to better support student needs during the pandemic, and spearheaded the conversation to create an Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American Center on campus.

Where does she get her strength and determination? “My parents have instilled in me a fire and hunger to do well. They fled from Vietnam to ensure that I had a better life, to give me everything they didn’t have. My being here is a direct result of the sacrifices they’ve made to afford me a better life than they once had.”

One of Kimberly’s greatest passions in life is being a voice for the voiceless and advocating for those who need it most. She plans to run for public office once she has completed her education. “Legislators and leaders have a tremendous responsibility and obligation to represent and serve their constituents. Holding office would allow me to create policies that would directly and positively affect my community members’ livelihoods. My ultimate dream is to inspire other young women to do the same.”

Throughout the variety of advocacy efforts and work Kimberly has been involved with, she has come to realize that there is unbelievable potential in young children. She dreams of establishing a mentorship program specifically for first-generation, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and underrepresented students. “I want to provide them with the resources, knowledge, tools, and support they need to reach their highest potential. Young people are the future, and we need to invest in them.”