2021-22 President's Scholars

Harmony Nguyen

Annette F. and Morton J. Blumner President’s Scholar

Major: Psychology

College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences

University Programs: CPP Swift Games participant, Mind and Heart Lab assistant, psychology course assistant, undergraduate research assistant

Professors opened doors for Harmony Nguyen’s research in developmental psychology, and when she becomes a professor, she plans to promote educational equity as they did for her. Professor Juliana Fuqua, her mentor, connected Harmony with an undergraduate research team with Professors Faye Wachs and Paul Nissenson to enhance virtual pedagogy and tailor interventions for marginalized student populations. “My professors have been such important influences in my academic and professional development and given me irreplaceable guidance,” Harmony says. The Graduate Readiness Advanced Degrees Program and University of Minnesota’s Next-Gen Psych Scholars Program also “helped demystify graduate school.” Harmony’s family is another motivation for her long-term pursuit of a Ph.D. in research psychology. “Graduating from Cal Poly Pomona is one way I can show that I was able to overcome the challenges and setbacks I’ve faced in my life. I want to make an positive impact on disadvantaged communities and give back to those similar to the one I come from.” She hopes that her research can inform policymakers’ social justice practices.