Many students at Azusa Pacific University cultivate personal and professional relationships that positively impact their undergraduate experience as well as their future career. Grace Nguyen ’26 is an applied mathematics major with a concentration in computer science and a data science minor who pours back into campus through intentional friendships. When her brother was touring colleges, she was only a freshman in high school, but she immediately felt the love that emanated from each person she interacted with on APU’s campus. Nguyen saw APU as a place where she could grow and find purpose, and that’s exactly what she has experienced on campus.
Nguyen started at APU as an engineering student because her goal was to become an architect. She quickly realized that architecture and engineering weren’t the right career paths for her, but she loved the math aspect of the major. After talking to her professors, she decided to study math since it opened broad career opportunities on campus and in the future.
One of Nguyen’s first on-campus jobs was working as a learning assistant (LA) where she tutored and worked with students in various math courses. “That job allowed me to make different connections and expand in my role as a leader,” she said. “This position made me want to pursue getting to know students' individuality and be involved in their educational success.” Nguyen also works in IT and was recently promoted to lead technician. She enjoys the friendly, fun environment of the department as well as the support, advice, and mentorship she has received from her supervisors.
Nguyen found joy in creating intentional spaces for friendship to start, so when she became a resident advisor (RA), her goal was to pour back into the underclassmen she served by getting to know them individually. “I was not extroverted growing up and found it difficult to make friends,” she said.
Nguyen is also a part of the leadership team for the Third Culture Kids (TCK) club. TCK is a club for international and local students who are interested in creating fellowship surrounding shared multicultural experiences and learning about other cultures. While Nguyen is not a TCK herself, she has been able to share her experience as an Asian American and hear others’ stories. “TCK has given me a sense of home and belonging on campus,” she said. “I’ve found my people who I know I’ll be friends with even after we all graduate.” Nguyen’s love for learning about other cultures and supporting TCKs spurred her desire to make connections with others through Global Engagement (GE) trips. She has already served on the Ensenada trip twice and will lead the team in the spring. “I highly encourage anyone who wants to get more plugged into the community or grow in their faith to go on a GE trip.”
On her first trip to Ensenada, Nguyen encountered the Lord in new ways and was able to dive deeper into her faith. Nguyen’s time at APU has centered on her connection with God just as much as it has with creating intentional friendships with her peers. “Having conversations with people and being in a community where I can explore what I believe alongside other believers has helped me form a better understanding of the Gospel and who God is,” she said. “Getting to discuss my faith and the Bible has been so transformative because it shapes how I interact with people and why I do everything that I do.”
With her leadership experience and love for helping others, Nguyen hopes to use her data science minor to become a data scientist, work towards a graduate degree, and eventually become a professor so that she can pass on what she learns in the field to the next generation of students. “I did research with a professor last summer, and she inspired me a lot,” Nguyen said. “She worked for nonprofit organizations to share data that people weren’t aware of. I always hear people talking about numbers and data, but being a good steward of this knowledge means sharing data and giving people correct information.” Nguyen can see herself working at a Christian university because of her deep faith, but she is also open to teaching in a secular university to share God’s love with students who may not know Him.
Nguyen’s time at APU has been defined by her time spent with others. She realized how much of a people person she is and how she thrives in community. “My piece of advice for APU students is to say yes to new opportunities and take initiative,” she said. “Why not be the person that starts a conversation or applies for a new job or position? There are so many opportunities at APU, so make the most out of what you’re given and see how the Lord will open up doors for you.”