PHILLIP CHENG

1. What does FLP personally mean to you & why did you choose to become a Director of FLP?
FLP given me many memories and has allowed me to bond with the freshman class each year (ie. singing songs, playing games, and going on road trips). Constantly reminding me of my own freshman experience, each new class brings a fresh wave of ideas, experiences, and motivation. At the beginning of FLP Class III, we hoped to bring FLP to new level and began to set the foundation for events such as the retreat, the Lake Wauberg Ropes Course, the end of the year banquet. Having been able to witness the growth of FLP over the last 6 years has truly made this program a meaningful and long-lasting endeavor to my college experience.

2. What advice would you give to a freshman coming into UF?
Freshman year will go by really fast! Savor as much as you can! Go out and meet people–they could turn out to be your best friends.

3. FLP Then–Can you give us a brief description on what FLP was like during your directorship?
In it’s third year, FLP was composed of about 30 freshman and 30 mentors. Meeting were once every two weeks and major events that year included NAASCON 2008 at Emory University in Georgia and ECAASU 2009 at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Spring semester included the 2nd annual AASU week in which the freshman directed the AASU Bowling, AASU Ball, and a philanthropic event. New events that year included the Ropes Course and Banquet (in Flint 100).

4. The future of FLP–What is your vision of what FLP is to become in the future?
I can only imagine where FLP will in 5 years time. Celebrating its 10th year anniversary I can only dream that it will be bigger, stronger, and stand as the premiere freshman leadership program at the University of Florida.

5. What are you currently pursuing?
I am currently in Teach for America, serving as a middle school math and Chinese teacher on the Big Island of Hawai’i. You can contact me at philcheng88@gmail.com.

THAO TRACEY NGUYEN

1. What does FLP personally mean to you & why did you choose to become a Director of FLP?
Personally, FLP helped me become a less awkward person in college. Erm, at least I hope it did?! Why YES, it definitely did =) Essentially, I came in as a freshman overwhelmed by my classes, sheer number of extracurricular activities, and the sea of strangers I was scurrying through every day. I came in with a narrow vision, thinking that I could self-sustain my college career as long as I made the grades. FLP, however, greatly exceeded my expectations and gifted me with meaningful friendships, tools for character development, and the fluid to fuel my passion. My involvement with FLP was incredibly rewarding, and definitely an experience I could not just keep to myself.

2. What advice would you give to a freshman coming into UF?
Budget your time wisely! Try not to take anything for granted and know that college will zoom past you before you will realize it. It will enrich your life and cause you to get the fuzzies every time you reflect on it. It is a time for you to search your best self but only with the accompaniment of your best friends. Also follow your own advice and be the best role model you can be. There is always someone looking up to you.

3. FLP Then–Can you give us a brief description on what FLP was like during your directorship?
My directorship of Class III was time demanding, but well enough for me to balance it with academics. We had a solid group of about 30 freshman, who were far from knowing the outcomes and the many opportunities FLP offered. Freshmen, who attended NAASCON 2008 and coordinated AASU Week, were inspired to to actively engage in APA affairs. Others found our bi-monthly meetings to be a resourceful way to network and build confidence through our team-building exercises. Another handful found FLP to be a stepping stone to pursue leadership positions in organizations both within and outside of AASU. I look back at FLP with immense joy.

4. The future of FLP–What is your vision of what FLP is to become in the future?
An Asian American explosion and yet a colorful cohesion of people of all ethnicities, interests, and personalities. Full of visionaries but also an accountable group with a specific game plan to greatly enhance the student culture we live in.

5. What are you currently pursuing?
I am currently pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. You can e-mail me with any questions, random facts, or any stories to share at traceyngn@gmail.com Don’t be shy, I try to play nice!

JONATHAN LY, A.D.

1. What does FLP personally mean to you & why did you choose to become a Director of FLP?
I chose to apply for Co-Assistant Director of Class III, because I wanted to be part of the continuing success that FLP had become. Being part of the original Class I, I was inspired to move up as a leader in the AASU community. After a year of FLP mentoring and serving on the CASA board, I realized how much I wanted to give others the opportunities that were available for me as a freshmen. While each class had it’s own unique characters and dynamic, I was excited to see the capabilities of Class III as well as implement the ideas that the Class I year was lacking.

2. What advice would you give to a freshman coming into UF?
Stay open-minded! Freshmen year can be rather overwhelming both academically and socially. However, don’t restrict yourself to just one group or organization. See for yourself what’s out there and try new things!

3. FLP Then–Can you give us a brief description on what FLP was like during your directorship?
From what I remember, the year for Class III was spent solidifying the traditions established from Class II (banquet, AASU week, mentor/mentee system) while implementing some fresher ideas (ropes course, conference involvement, “curriculum” for freshmen). There was more participation in the mentor/mentee program this year due to the larger Class II over Class I. So we certainly had ample character and initiative in establishing a more legitimate mentor/mentee system. With the larger applicant pool, it was also appropriate to expand the board into 2 Co-Directors and 2 Co-Assistant Directors. Overall, the year was overwhelmingly fun and memorable. More importantly, we were definitely able to give the program more exposure in the AASU community.

4. The future of FLP–What is your vision of what FLP is to become in the future?
When I look back at FLP years and years from now, I think it will be exciting to see some of those traditions stil being carried out. For instance, I hope to meet someone down the line who had an amazing experience at the FLP lock-in at La Casita just as the original Class I had. As for the direction of the program, I hope that it will continue to draw freshmen from all parts of the campus community towards AASU while fostering an amazingly fun and unique first year experience for students.

5. What are you currently pursuing?
I graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering and I’m currently working as a Formulation Research Associate for a contract pharmaceutical company.

FLORENCE LUONG, A.D.