#PeopleofJSU: “My decision to pursue my Ph.D. in public policy and administration at Jackson State University wasn't just an academic step; it was a mission born from my roots. I was born in rural Cambodia near the Thailand border and grew up as the seventh child in a family of ten. In a region where poverty often forced young people into early labor, my parents fought to ensure we all had a chance to learn. Seeing my older siblings sacrifice their own higher education so the younger ones could push further gave me a profound responsibility to make every opportunity count. Coming to the U.S. as a Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) scholar and receiving my Master's at an HBCU showed me firsthand the power of HBCUs to uplift underserved communities. Choosing JSU was deeply intentional. I relate to Jackson State’s legacy of advocacy, resilience and community support, which mirrors the values my family taught me back home. Leaving my family behind, navigating cultural shifts ...