Tai Do, a doctoral student in the Department of Educational Psychology’s psychological foundations of education program, has been recognized with two prestigious awards.
Do received a University-wide 2021 President’s Student Leadership & Service Award (PSLSA) as well as a college-wide 2021 CEHD Outstanding Student Service Award. Both awards recognize Do for his accomplishments and contributions as a student leader at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and for his exceptional leadership and service to the University and the surrounding community.
Do is a 1.5 generation Vietnamese American and, as an undergrad, was a first-generation, commuter college student, which he says helps drive his passion for research and service.
“College is really hard. Especially when your social identities and experiences are mismatched or not valued in the same way as others within your campus-environment. Especially when, more often than not, cultural expectations and obligations need to take precedence over your schoolwork and academics. Especially when you do not have anyone in your family that has the expertise to help you navigate institutions of higher education.
My background informs the ways in which I think about these college-student experiences and, in particular, how to support students. I am here for the students who have to silently navigate school and family and cultural obligations. If you got to this part of my soapbox, I want to let you know that I acknowledge you and your presence. You exist. You are valued and appreciated. And you matter.”
As a doctoral student in the psychological foundations of education program, Do’s emphasis is on social psychological and developmental processes. He has conducted research with Professor Geoffrey Maruyama and the Consortium for the Advancement of Underrepresented Student Engagement. The consortium, made up of faculty and student researchers from the University of Minnesota and six other colleges in North America, pioneered the “UnGuide,” a resource supporting first-generation students in navigating the difficult college environment and connecting with each other. He has also worked with CEHD Interim Dean Michael Rodriguez and the Minnesota Youth Development Group.
In addition to his studies, Do serves in multiple leadership roles in the department, and University. He is active as a student representative of the Educational Psychology Student Diversity Group as well as the Educational Psychology Faculty Diversity Committee. Outside the department, Do served as a peer mentor with the Asian Pacific American Resource Center (APARC) on campus. APARC provides culturally relevant programming, a study and community space, and tutoring and support services for Asian, Asian American, and Native American Pacific Islander students on the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus.
One of Do’s nominators provided the following in his recommendation letters for the PSLSA and CEHD Outstanding Student Service Award.
“As an instructor of Tai’s, I saw how driven he was as a researcher to better understand how to support marginalized students. As a member of the department community, I saw how involved Tai was in improving the climate. I would not have thought it possible that Tai could be any more impressive or impactful, but then I joined the Educational Psychology Faculty Diversity Committee. While Tai’s position is as a student representative to this committee, he is every bit of an engaged and active member of the committee as any faculty member… Whenever I hear about an important initiative or project in the department or CEHD at large, Tai is inevitably a driving force behind it.”
