Reflecting on her educational journey, Christine Hoa Nguyen, a member of the class of ’22, acknowledges the transformative impact of her sophomore year at Holy Cross during the pandemic. This experience propelled her personal growth, instilling a deeper appreciation for in-person connections and the value of shared laughter and smiles. Grateful for the values instilled by Holy Cross, Christine credits her alma mater for preparing her for graduation and beyond. Currently, she is in Duquesne’s Physician Assistant Program which is a 5-year, direct-entry, master’s program.

“Holy Cross did a good job of preparing me for college,” said Christine. “All the values of Holy Cross that are ingrained in me are still helping to guide me. To this day, I loved my friends and the connections I had with my teachers and faculty.”

After embarking on her academic journey in health sciences at Duquesne University three years ago, Christine found a sense of belonging in the vibrant community of the larger campus. She chose Duquesne due to its size and conducive environment for fostering connections, she embraced the patient-centered approach of the physician assistant program. Recognizing the versatility of her chosen path, Christine is eager to delve into the fast-paced world of healthcare upon completing her studies and board certification.

On top of her studies, she also serves as a tour guide at Duquesne, where she shares her wisdom with incoming freshmen, encouraging them to grant themselves grace amidst the excitement and anxiety of new beginnings. Drawing from her experience as an admissions ambassador at Holy Cross, she finds joy in personalizing the college experience for others. She also serves as Director of Duquesne’s Pre-Orientation Program, which is a program facilitated by student-leaders under the Center for Excellence in Diversity and Student Inclusion that aims to connect and guide incoming students to a diverse community on the campus. Through her leadership and dedication, she has been recognized for her efforts by nomination of the Spirit of Diversity Award (2024) and nomination of the Dean of Students' Excellence in Leadership Award (2024).

She also devotes her time and energy into establishing and chartering Alpha Phi Gamma, the first Asian Interest Sorority at Duquesne. Christine was seeking a community and craving a sense of sisterhood again and at the time, Duquesne’s sorority didn’t have quite the “home” for her yet. She and her line sisters dedicated a lot of time and energy into establishing the first of diverse sorority on campus, and are looking to expand on more work to been done. For Christine and others, it was important that they had a place where they had each other and a deeper connection of sisterhood for young Asian woman and even women of color on campus.

As she prepares to enter the workforce after her last two years of study, Christine remains driven by her passion to serve and care for patients, no matter what the setting is – and credits both Duquesne’s and Holy Cross’s shared value to serving others and the shared emphasis on service. As she navigates the transition from student to professional, Christine hopes to inspire future generations of LOTAs.

With a supportive family consisting of her parents, grandmother, and younger sister, Jessica, Christine cherishes the tranquility of her last summer before embarking on her professional journey. Reflecting on her alma mater, she finds solace in the words, "courage, compassion, and scholarship," and fondly remembers the friendships and connections forged during her time at Holy Cross.

.