Why did you choose to attend Simmons?
Boston has always been the city I wanted to explore when I was a kid. I grew up in the suburbs just miles away and found Simmons to be the perfect place for me. I knew I would be comfortable at a small women’s-centered liberal arts college. Boston provided enough distance from my parents while still allowing myself to grow as an adult. It was important to my mom that I stay close to home, so in-state schools were my only option. As a daughter of two working-class immigrant parents, Simmons made my college experience affordable and I am forever grateful for that.
What professors have helped you pursue your goals?
I am grateful for Professor Aronson for building my foundation in graphic design. I had the great opportunity to even do some photography for her at the end of every semester to photograph her student work. I’ve been able to learn and experience so much and improve as a designer because of her. Andy Porter has been supportive as well, as the faculty advisor for Communications Liaison. When I was elected as co-president, I was eager to kickstart working on a lot of projects I had in mind and was always able to get feedback on everything from Andy.
What does the Ifill Scholarship mean to you?
Being a recipient means everything. As a first-generation college student, I could never have imagined being the student that I am today. When I decided I wanted to go into graphic design, I received a lot of pushback from my parents since they did not quite understand what the field was, and also it did not feel like a secure career move. But I knew design was exactly what I wanted to do and I had been given a lot of praise for my work. Following my passion has been one thing I never regretted and this scholarship proves that I made the right decision.
How do you think students in the Ifill College will carry on Gwen Ifill's legacy, and impact the world?
I have seen amazing and hard work from every student in the Ifill College, and I believe every student will carry that same amount of dedication and passion for a long time, as Gwen did. Everyone is passionate about what they do and I believe that students of the Ifill College will always create meaningful work that is reflective of themselves and what they want the world to be.
As you look to the future, how do you hope to connect your passion to a lifelong purpose?
I’ve had this idea for a long time, but I hope someday I can combine my love for graphic design with graphic novels and write and share stories that center around Asian American narratives. I believe that representation in media is important, and as a graphic designer, I want to bring more light to Asian creative voices whether it’s through books, photography, or art.