Gavin Leung
2021 Recipient

Gavin is a fourth-year Nutritional Sciences major with a minor in disabilities in society on the pre-dental track. He hopes to attend dental school after graduation in order to become a pediatric dentist in the future.

During his time at UF, Gavin was active member of the the Asian American Student Union (AASU) community. In his freshman year, he participated in the Chinese American Student Association's freshman program and was a dance choreographer. In his sophomore year, he became one of the First-Year Leadership program directors. He continued his leadership experience his junior year by serving as the external vice president of AASU, and now in his senior year he serves as co-president.  He strives to strengthen the community within and outside of AASU and looks forward to creating a successful and safe year for his community as it recovers from COVID-19.

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Karen Zhang
2020 Recipient

Karen is an incoming freshman majoring in Accounting and minoring in English. She plans on pursuing the pre-law track. She is well-known in her community for publications in her high school newspaper, leadership in Service Council, and involvement in the Alliance of Asian Cultures and Experiences.

​At UF, Karen hopes to become involved in organizations on campus such as the Chinese American Student Association and the Independent Florida Alligator Student Newspaper.

She looks forward to the vibrant campus, supportive community, and overwhelming school spirit at UF!

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Angel Nguyen
2019 Recipient

Angel Nguyen is a third-year Health Education and Behavior Major with a minor in Disabilities in Society. She is currently on the pre-occupational therapy track and aspires to become a pediatric occupational therapist for young patients at the UF Health Rehab Center.

As a first generation Vietnamese American, she is beyond grateful for the opportunities and support rendered by the UF Association of Asian Alumni and strives to fulfill a dutiful life at the University of Florida without forgetting her roots. She is also currently volunteering for FIT For ALL, a free fitness program that provides personal training for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

​She works hard in an effort to further her studies in occupational therapy while also promoting the counteraction of sedentary lifestyles for all individuals, regardless of physical or mental capabilities. These experiences as well as many others in which she works with diverse populations has allowed her to develop a greater sense of self-appreciation and awareness of who she is after being swept up in the cultural diversity that marks the Gator Swamp.

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Othelia Jumapao
​2018 Recipient

Othelia Jumapao, a rising senior at the University of Florida, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English with an Asian American Studies minor. As a sophomore, she presided as the Vice President of Education of the Asian American Student Union at UF.

Currently, she is the Executive Director for Asian Kaleidoscope Month 2018-2019. Othelia intends to use the scholarship money to help fund her travel expenses to attend the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Conference in Chicago, Illinois in July. Being Pilipina American has shaped her understanding of the Asian American experience, and she aims to deepen her appreciation of the fraught history of Pilipinos in the U.S. during this conference.

​After college, she hopes to critically engage in ethnic studies to eventually become a professor in Asian American studies while working on community organizing to confront social justice issues affecting the Asian American population. Without the overwhelming amount of alumni support, Othelia recognizes she would not be where she is today.