Perseverance and Possibilities: Navigating the Journey to Higher Education
This workshop is for you if:
You are uncertain about college and how to navigate higher education.
You want to learn about overcoming obstacles and adversity as potentially the first in your family to go to college.
You want to learn about college access, resources, financial aid, scholarships, and academic support.
Workshop details:
This workshop will explore the benefits and possibilities offered through higher education. The presenter will speak from his perspective as a Hmong refugee, growing up in Linda Vista, as a Kearny High alumnus, and his experience as the first in his family to pursue higher education. Learn about his journey as a designer, architect, professor, and higher education professional. Participants will leave with a better understanding of college access opportunities and a roadmap to college success.
Meet Sou Fang
Director, TRIO Upward Bound, University of San Diego
Ethnically Hmong, Fang was born in a refugee camp in Phanat Nikhom, outside Bangkok, Thailand, and immigrated to Linda Vista in San Diego, CA. Fang is an alumnus of Kearny High - Construction Tech Academy (EID), Class of 2010. He completed his education at the University of San Diego (B.A.), Harvard University - Graduate School of Design (Design Discovery Certificate), and Syracuse University - School of Architecture (M.Arch). Fang is a trained architect and was on the faculty at Syracuse University - School of Architecture, where he taught undergraduate design studios on urban revitalization strategies in shrinking cities.
Fang has held design positions at DOMAIN Office, Pyramid Management Group, FR-EE / Fernando Romero Enterprise (NYC), Chandler Pierce Architects, and Cottage, a Silicon-Valley based start-up tackling housing shortages through accessory dwelling units.
Sou Fang is currently the Director of the University of San Diego TRIO Upward Bound under the Institute of College Initiatives. In this role, he has secured over $4.5M in federal and foundation grants to provide college access and support for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students.
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
