Van Tran, originally from Vietnam, is a recent graduate from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, where she majored in International Studies with a concentration on the Asia-Pacific region and immigration. Her senior thesis, which studies the effect of political regimes on perceived discrimination among immigrants, received Rhodes College's John Franklin Copper Award for Excellence. Van's academic and professional careers combine her interests in law, international relations, and technology. She has two years of internship experience at think tanks and nonprofits, including the East-West Center in Washington, the Center for Advanced Defense Studies, and Transparency International Ireland. During her time with these organizations, Van has dedicated herself to understanding and transforming challenges facing marginalized communities around the world, particularly in relation to immigration and governance.
