Southwest UVSA

As we continue the reboot of our region, we would like to take the time to highlight our member schools! We are beyond grateful to have each of these amazing organizations as part of SWUVSA, and we hope more schools will be joining us soon. We’re excited for what the future holds! 💫 Follow our schools! @asu.vsa @vasauofu @cudenvervsa @unrvsa #swuvsa #vasa #asuvsa #cudenver #unrvsa

Welcome to the new era of SWUVSA! Introducing our cabinet members: Alumni Relations: ⛰︎ Katherine Nguyen (she/her) | MAUVSA ⛰︎ Tee Huynh (he/him) | MAUVSA Community and Civic Engagement: ⛰︎ Loc Nguyen (he/him) | UVSA South ⛰︎ Sam Shr (they/them) | UVSA Midwest Event Coordination: ⛰︎ Matthew Nguyen (he/him) | NorCal UVSA ⛰︎ Victoria Nguyen (they/them) | UVSA South Information Technology: ⛰︎ Trisha Trinh (she/her) | UVSA Midwest ⛰︎ Jonathan Phan (he/him) | UVSA Midwest Marketing & Public Relations: ⛰︎ Tien VoNguyen (she/her) | UVSA Midwest ⛰︎ Jennie Mae (she/her) | UVSA Midwest ⛰︎ Zak Pham (he/him) | UVSA South We are beyond grateful to have members from across the country who are dedicated to supporting and rebuilding SWUVSA from the ground up. 2026 will be a monumental year for us, and we are excited to share it with all of you. #SWUVSA #SWisTheBest

Introducing UNR VSA’s new COSR @emilyt.ran Please give a warm welcome to Emily! As our new COSR (Council of School Representatives) she plays a crucial part in maintaining our bridge with the University of Nevada, Reno. We’re lucky to have her on our team!

THE TIME IS NOW!! Apply now for the SWUVSA UNAVSA-21 Scholarship and join us at the 21st Annual UNAVSA Leadership Conference in San Jose, CA! Don’t miss out on this chance to make unforgettable memories, network with other VSA members from across the country, hear from our keynote speakers, gain skills from professional workshops, witness breathtaking performances and more at UNAVSA-21. The link to the Scholarship Application can also be found in our Linktree! Qualifications: - Must be your first time attending a UNAVSA conference - Already be registered for UNAVSA-21 - Must be a student at one of our partner schools (ASU, CU Denver, UofU, UNR) There will be two winners selected. Deadline to apply is May 22nd with winners chosen in June. We wish all our applicants good luck! See you in San Jose! #UNAVSA21 #ScholarshipOpportunity #Unwritten #SWUVSA

Hi SWUVSA and friends! The SWUVSA Alumni Relations needs your help in updating our alumni directory. We’re opening our Alumni Contact Form to keep in contact with all our SWUVSA members near and far. Not sure if you qualify as an alum? Check out the interest form for our requirements! Sign up through our Linktree or bit.ly/swuvsa-alumni

As March comes to an end, we want to take one last opportunity to highlight Women’s History Month. In the month of uplifting and holding the women we hold dear, we reflect on those whose impact and action shape the community at large across generations, historically and modern day. From the influential Vietnamese women who fought for independence and justice, to the mothers, sisters, mentors, and friends who support us every day, their strength and resilience continue to inspire generations. From influential historical figures to modern day leaders, we remind ourselves of their stories to inspire those around them whose impact reaches far beyond their time. They will be cemented into history to motivate the current generation to embody their determination, strength, and energy for the Vietnamese community. We stay reminded of those who became before us of what was built and what continues to be built. Their courage, leadership, and determination remind us of the legacy built before us and the future still being created. Let’s continue to uplift and celebrate the women around us by sharing their stories, expressing our appreciation, and supporting spaces that empower women in our communities. Tag or shout out a woman who has made an impact in your life!

We want YOU! Applications to join our cabinet have re-opened! This is your last and final chance to join our cabinet as a Committee Member for Alumni Relations, Community & Civic Engagement, Event Coordination, Information & Technology, or Marketing & Public Relations! The application is located in the link below as well as our linktree. https://forms.gle/qWHY1sEAnjD3WxRP7 Qualifications for these positions are as follows: - Candidates must be at least 18 years of age by the time of election or appointment. - Candidates must be in good standing with their affiliated VSA/VASA. - Candidates must be attending or have graduated from an accredited university Out of Regioners are welcomed! 🏔️ Be a part of the building blocks that will define SWUVSA for years to come. 📍 Applications close April 10th at 11:59pm MST so hurry and apply now! #swuvsa #swisthebest #vsa

Introducing ASU VSA’s new COSR @leala.trannn Please give a warm welcome to Leala! As our new COSR (Council of School Representatives) she plays a crucial part in maintaining our bridge with ASU. We’re lucky to have her on our team!

Our first informational meeting about UNAVSA-21 is TONIGHT on Discord! You don’t want to miss our presentation and panel about not only all the fun you can have at U-21 but also all the ways you can accelerate your own professional growth. Come learn about how you can connect with the Vietnamese community and make friends from around the continent! Join SWUVSA’s UNAVSA-21 info sessions to get the run down of what all the UNAVSA hype is about. We’ll have a short presentation with a panel at the end where you can ask all the questions you want about UNAVSA-21!

Are you looking to make life-long connections around North America? Do you want to enrich yourself with culture and advance your professional skills? If so, UNAVSA-21 from July 9- 12 in San Jose, California is the place for you! Join SWUVSA’s UNAVSA-21 info session to get the run down of what all the UNAVSA hype is about and to see if this is the place for you. After a brief presentation, you’ll get the opportunity to speak directly with our panel featuring students from the Southwest who attended previous UNAVSA conferences! Join our discord server and our events channel!

As February comes to a close, we would like to take one more moment to recognize 100 years of Black History Month. What began in 1926 as “Negro History Week,” founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, was never just about remembrance — it was about recognition, resistance, and reclamation. Black history is not simply a collection of milestones, but a history of collective struggle. From the Bandung Conference to the Third World Liberation Front strikes… from Dr. King and Thích Nhất Hạnh standing together against war… to Black and Vietnamese communities fighting environmental racism in New Orleans… to Asian Americans mobilizing for Black Lives Matter — our histories are intertwined. Black liberation movements shaped Asian American political identity. Black Power sparked Yellow Power. Black resistance exposed systems of policing, militarism, and racial capitalism that impact us all. At the same time, we must confront anti-Blackness within our own communities — in the U.S., in Viet Nam, and across the diaspora. Colorism, colonial legacies, and proximity to whiteness are not separate from the systems we claim to resist. Solidarity requires honesty, challenge, and action. As we honor a century of Black History Month, we commit not only to remembering — but to continuing the work, beyond this month and in our own lives and communities. No one is free until we are all free. Collective liberation requires collective action.

LIVE FROM SWUVSA RETREAT! Check out our CPP Livestream happening tomorrow at twitch.tv/swuvsa Meet our new Cabinet members, learn about our Collective Philanthropy project and see our Eboard complete some of their milestone challenges! Link will be on our linktree