Distinguished Alumna, School of Education
An award-winning teacher, education leader, mentor and passionate advocate for classrooms where every student can belong, Hang Virginia Nguyen is this year’s recipient of the School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award.
Virginia’s story begins with her parents, refugees from the Vietnam War whose journey shaped their daughter’s understanding of opportunity, identity and education. As the first person in her extended family to attend college, Virginia arrived at UC Irvine navigating an unfamiliar world; the first time she walked onto campus was when she moved into her dorm.
Initially considering a career in law, Virginia discovered at UC Irvine a love of sociology, political science and education that helped her better understand her own experiences and ultimately led her to the classroom.
As a teacher, Virginia became determined to create the kind of learning environment she wished she had experienced as a student. Growing up, she rarely saw Vietnamese people represented in school beyond the context of war, a stark contrast to the joyful and vibrant refugee community she knew at home. She committed herself to building classrooms where students could bring their full identities and see themselves reflected in what they learned.
That commitment eventually extended beyond her own classroom. During the COVID-19 pandemic and amid national conversations about racism, Virginia began advocating for broader change in education. Along with fellow educator Stacy Yung, she cofounded Educate to Empower, helping teachers develop culturally sustaining, justice-centered classrooms built around agency, belonging and critical thinking.
Virginia remains closely connected to UC Irvine as a mentor teacher, committee participant and founding contributor to the Teaching for Justice conference. Her work has earned recognition, including PBS SoCal’s “Local Hero” honor and the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Distinguished Educator Award.
For Virginia, the classroom is fundamentally a place of hope and trust. She works to ensure students are empowered to understand their histories, recognize their potential and imagine what comes next.
“Virginia Nguyen represents the very best of our alumni. She is a dedicated educator, a mentor and a valued partner to the School of Education. Her generosity, alongside the time and care she invests in our students, speaks to her deep commitment to this community.”
Join us as we honor this year’s distinguished recipients and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Anteater community.
