9 Alumni Respond: Why Apply for the FIUTS Student Board?

Student Board members pictured at the 2018 Student Board Retreat.

What is the FIUTS Student Board?

The FIUTS Student Board is an elected group of student leaders who support FIUTS work on campus and represent the student perspective as voting members of the Board of Trustees. In addition to serving as Board Members, The Student Board produces events, takes part in ongoing leadership development, and provides strategic leadership to the staff and organization.

Why should you apply?

Being a part of the Student Board is an opportunity for students to develop professional networks and leadership skills, and to experience working with the non-profit sector. Student Board members are undergraduate students, graduate students, or scholars from the U.S. and countries around the world who want to play a role in our programs.

Student Board members commit to a full year volunteer role. Student Board members build their global network and take part in strategy, outreach, fundraising, public speaking, and event management, and practice these skills in many ways. Interested? Learn more and apply here!

Continue reading to hear how being part of the FIUTS Student Board changed the college experience and career trajectory of 9 student alumni!

1. Nathan Huynh

Student Board 2013-2014

"Being a member of the FIUTS student board was a fun and integral part of my growth as an individual. The student board was one of the most welcoming environments I've had the pleasure of being a part of. I gained valuable leadership and teamwork skills, and had the opportunity to work with people from a variety of cultures. Now working as a dentist, I get to use these skills on a daily basis to create a welcoming environment for both my team and my patients."

2. Xinglu Yao

Student Board 2012-2014

"I always smile when talking about FIUTS Student Board because it was like my family in college. On the Student Board, we knew each other so well that we understood it immediately when someone needed support or had good news. This tight bond moved all our projects forward, no matter how challenging they were."

3. Wasfia Hoque

Student Board 2017-2019

"Being a part of the FIUTS Student Board has been one of the best experiences of my life. I was fortunate enough to meet people from all around the world (over 20 countries!), some of whom continue to be my best friends long after graduating. Student Board has taught me leadership, teamwork, friendship and kindness.

It is truly a magical experience that I hope more people get to enjoy. You develop amazing friendships with fellow board members, get to know the staff better, help organize incredible events as well as allow yourself to grow as a person. There are multiple roles you can engage in that suits your abilities and interests; marketing, fundraising, event management, leadership and so many more, Student Board has it all! I highly recommend you to join, trust me you won’t regret it."

4. Michel Riquelme Sanderson

Student Board 2012-2014

"I was a FIUTS Student Board member for two years, and I can say they were two of my best years at UW. I created friendship bonds with other fellow members, but most importantly I was able to develop my leadership skills and collaborate in fun and educational activities for our FIUTS friends and family. I also made really good connections that helped me in my field and career in education."

5. Minhtu Nguyen

Student Board 2013-2015

"The first two years of my college life was pretty uneventful until I came across FIUTS. Becoming a facilitator and then FIUTS student board member was one of the best decisions in my life. My college life suddenly became much more fun and meaningful. From a shy and quiet person, FIUTS has taught me how to step out of my comfort zone to welcome and help out other students.

Throughout the years, I’ve made invaluable friendship from all over the world and even now after more than four years from graduation, I’m still in close contacts with other facilitators and board members. Even when we are no longer in the same country, we meet up when we travel. In addition to the connections and friendship, I also learned to improve my organizational skills as well as leadership skills, which have been crucial to my career progression."

6. Alissa Mustre del Rio

Student Board 2016-2017

"My time in the student board taught me many skills I use in my professional experience now, such as event-planning, communicating with different audiences and people from different backgrounds, and how to manage a budget. It was a really rewarding experience to learn how to fail forward and succeed in a safe space with the support of a community."

7. Yutaka Jono

"The FIUTS Student Board, so many memories, even though it's been over a decade! We planned, we worked, we organized, but most of all, we got to understand each other a little better while having fun at the same time. I really feel it was a time of growing for me - to learn to be more sensitive to others, while learning to express myself better to people from different backgrounds. It sure helps me in my current role as an educator to be able to step back and try to understand how each student comes from a different background."

8. Simran Bhatia

Student Board 2017-2019

"I was part of the FIUTS Student Board for two years and it was one of the best experiences I had at UW! Not only did it help me interact with people from diverse backgrounds but also taught me the fundamentals of leadership. Even though I was shy, the FIUTS staff pushed me to take a leadership roles as they saw the potential that I didn’t see in myself. Gradually, I moved from stuttering through ice-breakers to serving as the Vice President of FIUTS. Outside of building my confidence, the Student Board also gave me a safe place among all the chaos of a college life."

9. Diana Park

Student Board 2016-2017

"Throughout the years I have been a part of the student board, I was able to shape my leadership style and make friends from all over the globe. The FIUTS staff and student leaders are one of the most open-minded, supportive and inspiring group of people. This was a perfect opportunity for me to find my own community on a large campus and nurture my leadership skills. I have gained not only confidence, but also a broader perspective on how I see the world."

Questions? Please contact Alex Radi, FIUTS Manager of Student Programs, at: alex@fiuts.org.
For more information on the Student Board Application process, see here.
2021-2022 Deadline: April 9, 2021 at 11:59PM (PT)