Counselor

Chau Nguyen serves Mission College students in the Counseling Center and is bilingual in Vietnamese and English. She says that "I wholeheartedly identify with the saying from American inventor Thomas Edison, 'Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.' I truly believe hard work helps me get to where I am today.

She states that "my passion is to empower students and help them grow and see their potential while giving them the support and tools they need to be successful. I always strive to learn new things or new ways of doing things to improve my work in order to benefit students as much as possible."

Although Chau has a graduate degree, she encountered challenges that could've her prevented me from succeeding. According to Dr. Victor Rios, At-Promise students already possess the tools necessary to succeed in school, but need support and assistance to utilize those tools. These factors included the following.

• Was a foster youth.
• Immigrated to the U.S. in teen years.
• Vietnamese is primary language spoken at home.
• Grew up in a low-income household.
• First-generation college student.
• Was undecided on majors/careers. 
• Started Mission College with remedial ESL/English and Math courses.

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Education

• MA, Counseling Education
  • San Jose State University
• BA, Liberal Studies
  • Minor in Child Development
  • California State University, East Bay

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Privilege Acknowledgement

Privilege is an unearned advantage that is highly valued but restricted to certain groups.  Everyone has some form of privilege.  Acknowledging your privilege does not mean you believe you are better than others.  It is a way of demonstrating gratitude for an advantage you have and acknowledging that those without the advantage experience the world differently than you do.

Chau states that, "Although I faced many challenges growing up, I was fortunate to have my uncle working two jobs to put a roof over our head and provide other basic survival needs. He constantly reminded me of my parents sacrificing their lives for my educational opportunities and instilled in me the sense of responsibility and hard work ethnic which served as the foundation for every step I put forward. 

She also acknowledges "that being a college-educated person gives me access to many things. Therefore, when helping students, I usually share my stories of personal challenges and how education and hard work have changed my life for the better."

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Fast Facts

Once Chau had a close encounter with a big bear at two in the morning while going to a public restroom in Yosemite.