2023 Hamilton Scholar Jennifer Nguyen is a driven student and leader from Grayson, KY. As the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants and as an ethnic minority in a rural area, Jennifer leverages her platforms of advocacy to set a positive example for others and bring about change to her community. Passionate for STEM and educational advocacy, Jennifer served as Kentucky Technology Student Association’s Regional Officer, State Officer, and as an Executive Board Member; moving forward, Jennifer plans to use her leadership and experiences to encourage the pursuit of STEM careers in underserved communities.

In middle school, Jennifer jumped into serving her region as a long-term volunteer at the county library, seeing the need for extra help. Her implementation of an organization system, dutiful cataloging of books, and committed assistance of patrons has earned Jennifer hundreds of service hours in the process. Currently, she’s transforming the deteriorating campus of her historic Eastern Kentucky school back into a community and educational outreach center as a leader of the Hazel Green Academy revitalization project. Additionally, Jennifer interns for Leadership Initiatives International, conducting public health research on healthcare disparities in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Jennifer attends both East Carter High School and the Craft Academy; her plan is to pursue STEM and minor in international studies. As a member of Spanish Club, Health and Science Club, Upward Bound, and the Envirothon Team, Jennifer’s educational passions shine through her extracurricular involvement. As a native Vietnamese and English speaker – currently studying Spanish on the intermediate level – Jennifer aspires to work and study abroad; she yearns to impact the world through service, education, and initiative, bringing global change she’s always wished to see.

“I want to continue to serve as an example to other students similar to me,” Jennifer said. “I am forever grateful to my family, school, and community for the support they have provided me, and I hope to continue to make them proud.”