Uyenthi Tran Myhre2016 Rising Alumni
Uyenthi Tran Myhre is making a difference in her role as the assistant director of the University of Minnesota Women’s Center. Uyenthi, who has a master’s degree in educational psychology, has helped make the Women’s Center more effective and its resources more well-known. Her supervisor described her as organized, intelligent, dedicated, well-read, creative, and quietly assertive. Currently, Uyenthi is organizing the third Indigenous Women and Women of Color Student Summit, which will host students from across the state. In addition, she co-founded the U of M Asian American Pacific Islander Desi Faculty and Staff Association, the first professional group of its kind on campus. As an active community citizen, Uyenthi is on the board for the Sexual Violence Center in Minneapolis.
Employer
Assistant Director, Women's Center, OED, U of M
CEHD Degree
M.A., Educationa Psychology Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology, 2011
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
Coordination of the 3rd Indigenous Women and Women of Color Student Summit in March 2016, coordinating the Women's Center annual speaker series (Rinku Sen, Executive Director of Race Forward and Publisher of Colorlines in 2015; Sarah Deer, 2014 MacArthur Fellow and Professor of Law at Mitchell Hamline in 2016), co-founder of the Asian American Pacific Islander Desi Faculty and Staff Association at the University of Minnesota.
What professors were most influential during your time in CEHD?
Dr. Caroline Burke, who was phenomenal and taught many of the courses I took in CSPP. Dr. Michael Goh, who encouraged me to seek out my (wonderful) practicum experience in MCAE.
What was the impact/benefit of your educational experience in CEHD?
CSPP taught me counseling skills (active listening, empathy, an intersectional lens, etc.) that are invaluable in a variety of settings, from facilitating workshops, to designing programs, to working one-on-one with students.
Who has inspired you the most during your career?
I am profoundly grateful to the women of color on campus who have inspired, mentored, challenged, and cheered me on. They’re scholar/activists, community organizers, mothers, writers, artists, and just all-around powerful leaders.
What skills are important to succeed as an emerging professional today?
A lot of this work really comes down to humility and a willingness to listen. In a culture that places so much value on accomplishment and acquisition, I always love to see people who are able to step back, create space for others, and engage in authentic community-building. Opening doors for others is so important.
When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you spend it?
With 30 minutes, I would probably text a couple of GIFs to friends near and far, and then maybe check social media for both the latest in current events and pictures of cute cats and golden retrievers. I might update my planner as well.
If you could have coffee with anyone from history, who would it be?
I would have coffee with Yuri Kochiyama, who was a powerful Japanese-American organizer and Civil Rights activist whom I never really heard about until after college. I would encourage everyone to check out her inspiring story.
What gets you excited about work?
I get excited about the chance to collaborate with people in departments and organizations across campus and the community, as well as working alongside colleagues who are supportive and passionate about the work, and who also make me laugh.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a teacher, or a writer. And though I am not officially either of those things now, they both intersect with the work that I am doing, so I guess I was on to something after all!
Outside of your job, how do you grow professionally?
As a board member with the Sexual Violence Center, I have the chance to broaden my experiences with social justice education, event planning, and marketing while working alongside board members from non-profit and corporate settings. I am new to volunteering with Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota, and I am excited about putting my marketing/web skills to work while helping them reach new audiences.
What’s a fun fact about you?
My cat Yoshi has a strong following on Instagram.
Who are you? How would others describe you?
I think many people (including myself) would say that I am someone who is a good listener, an empathic person, and an animal lover.
What is a good book you would recommend to others?
I would definitely recommend Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being, and Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life. Both were gorgeously written and heartbreaking.