Lauren Soojung Park Candidate for Vice President

Lauren Soojung Park Candidate for Vice President BIOGRAPHY My name is Lauren Soojung Park. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I attended the University of Southern California for my undergraduate education, where I graduated with a B.A. in Creative Writing and a minor in Natural Science. A few clubs and service organizations I have dedicated my time to include: the Asian‐
American Tutorial Project, Mock Trial, the USC Asian‐Pacific American Medical Student Association, and USC Nikkei (a community service organization). Throughout high school and college, I interned at two hospitals in Southern California in the cardiology and oncology wards. In my spare time, I enjoy practicing martial arts and have a black belt in aikido. I also enjoy baking, writing, and solving puzzles! After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in community pharmacy. I like interacting with new people and problem solving, and look forward to being able to do so in my future career. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE I have held several leadership roles, which have allowed me to develop skills I believe will benefit CHSU as SGA Vice‐President. I was the Senior Class President of my high school class in 2009. I also held office as the President of my residential college at USC. As President of my residential college, I helped to plan and run a student talent show that is still held semi‐annually to this very day. I was also a chief editor and founding member of Adsum Magazine at USC, where I helped to establish USC’s only existing literary and multimedia magazine. I currently teach martial arts to children and to adults, and last month I was one of the judges of our studio’s children’s belt examination. All these positions have imparted leadership skills, the ability to act as a liaison between students and administration/faculty, and experience in organizing events geared towards my fellow students. In addition, I have interned at two hospitals, where they allowed me to shadow physicians. During this time, I gained their trust and respect in order to take on more responsibilities. Recently, I joined the CHSU Ambassadors last semester and am a member of a focus group and CPhA. CANDIDATE STATEMENT The position of Vice‐President is one that carries many responsibilities. I believe that I am up to the task of carrying those responsibilities for our school. I have seen our class struggle, adapt, and grow—both as individual students and as a student body. I hope to serve the interests of our students to the best of my abilities. Next year, we will have to contend with the added challenge of having twice as many students occupying the same spaces as we have made ourselves comfortable at CHSU. Transitions are tough, and our curriculum will only continue to grow more challenging as well. I have observed these past two semesters that students value meaningful communication with the professors. I will work tirelessly to assist the President in ensuring that the faculty and administration hear our voices. I have also seen first‐hand how vital class trips and events are in allowing students to de‐stress and bond. These bonds will allow us to survive the academic hurdles we face in the future, and I promise to plan events that will allow us to bond with one another and with the new class. I am also aware that many students are interested in activities that will serve the community. I will coordinate with local healthcare providers to allow our students to begin to fill the healthcare gap that exists in the Central Valley, such as by planning health fairs or blood pressure screenings. Lauren Soojung Park Candidate for Vice President I have had a diverse array of experiences that will allow me to be a flexible and qualified leader for our Student Government Association. I have interned at two hospitals and at a newspaper syndication company; was president of two student government organizations; helped to establish a literary magazine and was one of its chief editors; tutored underprivileged students with the Asian‐American Tutorial Project; served the local community around USC with USC Nikkei; spent seven years in Mock Trial in various roles. I have worked at a dermatologist’s office and even at a Yogurtland. I have learned how to protect and serve the interests of those who have placed their trust in me. I helped to ensure the success of all these organizations while maintaining strong relationships with my friends and high grades in school. I have learned to lead while still being a team player, discovered a love of helping others, and developed exceptional time management skills. The role of Vice‐President is a demanding one, but I have no other commitments that will distract me from my duties; my time is your time. I will listen to your concerns, implement your suggestions, and promise to be the Vice‐President that you deserve.