Khampha Thephavong interview
Item
Title
Khampha Thephavong interview
Creator
Thephavong, Khampha
Banh, Jenny
Relation
Central Valley Southeast Asian Successful Voices
Coverage
Fresno, California
Date
10/17/2017
Rights
Copyright has been transferred to Fresno State
Identifier
SCMS_casv_00008
extracted text
>> Hello welcome, Jeni Bond here from Fresno State University. I'm interviewing number 40 of a successful South East
Asian. If you can actually give me, say your name and if you can verbally give me a- say your name, spell your name
and verbally give me permission to interview you to be eventually deposited into the Fresno State Library.
>> Thank you. My name is Khampha Thephavong. K H A M P H A, T H E P H A V O N G, and I give you a full
permission for this interview.
>> Oh great okay and to cite you if I need to okay?
>> Yeah,
>> Published by [inaudible response] okay great. Okay, so you are my 40th double minority interview, thank you so
much. Thank you for telling me your name. What is your gender?
>> My gender is, I am a female.
>> What is your birth year?
>> My birth year is 1972.
>> What is your ethnic group?
>> I am a Lao American.
>> What it was your undergraduate major?
>> My undergrad major was nursing and I'm also Premed.
>> What is your generation in the United States?
>> I'm first-generation.
>> What is your mother and father's higher education background?
>> My mom was a homemaker. She actually had an education up to the sixth grade and my dad had a, you know, fouryear degree in college.
>> Oh, okay. What was your GPA in undergraduate?
>> My GPA was a little bit about 3.8. I believe it was three point eight four.
>> Wow and then what was, since you already have your medical degree, what was all your degrees?
>> Okay, my first degree was a Bachelor's in nursing. So, I have, I have an RN and then I became and DO, which is a
doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
>> Okay, and were you the first in your family to have a college degree? > My sister had her bachelor's degree in liberal
arts and then I was the second one.
>> Okay, and did you go to Fresno State?
>> Yes, I did my undergrad here and then I did my med school at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
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>> Great. Okay. Alright, so here when you were working, what was your socio-economic background? Was a workingclass, middle-class, affluent wealthy?
>> No, I definitely was not wealthy. But, I would say middle-class. My grandparents and my parents were really, really
hard-working people so I would not consider myself as, you know, poor at all. We were like middle class.
>> Okay and what high school did you go to and what was the racial and ethnic demographics of your high school?
>> I attended Roosevelt High School and I would say 95% are minorities. There's a big population of Hispanics being
the biggest. I would say at least 60% and there's a big Southeast Asian population and also African American.
>> Interesting. So specifically of the Southeast Asian, what groups of Southeast Asians went to your high school?
>> What group?
>> Yeah. What ethnic groups?
>> Okay, we have a pretty large Lao,
>> Oh okay.
>> And also a large group of Hmong and Cambodians.
>> Interesting. Okay. Why, and let's get more specific. Why do a Laotian Americans go to college? Why or why not do
they go to college?
>> You know, I believe, you know, the handful or the few that attend our college is because, you know, that's ingrained
in them early on right that education is important, and they have at least some exposure or mentorship that is important
for you to achieve your education. And many of them did not attend college is because of, you know, lack of, you know,
guidance many of them come from working-class or poor and they have no role models or family members who are able
to guide them. So, that was at least, you know, for my experience many of my friends didn't go to college and it's
because no one in their family went to college and nobody even spoke to them, you know, not even the counselors, you
know, I went to Roosevelt and me personally, I just went to see her once. I mean, four years just one time and we didn't
even talk about College.
>> Wow okay, so speaking specifically, you said you weren't really mentored and you didn't talk about College, what
were they teacher expectations of you at Roosevelt? Was it high, medium, low?
>> You know, I felt that the teachers were overwhelmed with more disciplinary issues and so, if I remember correctly,
none of my teachers have spoken to me about college. But they did, you know, tell me that I was a good student and
they want me to continue to study hard.
>> What about your co-ethnic peers, what do you think that teacher expectations were of Laotian Americans?
>> You know, I don't I don't believe that they have much of an expectation, you know, I mean many of my friends who
didn't do well they never got talked to, the families never called in to do anything. I, for my own personal experience, I
believe that we're kind of like on our own to do what we need to do. I mean, I was fortunate that my dad has a college
degree and I come from a family where they push education very heavily. Every day they would remind us to do well
and unless you want to work hard in the fields of such, they said you need to really, you know, take education seriously,
study hard so that way you attended school and I think that was one of the main reason why I went to college. But me
and my friends didn't come from that type of background where their parents would talk to them about that because their
parents were just farmers, regular workers and that would have been such a great difference if, you know, the schools
would have more of like, families coming together just, you know, talking about how important is to go to school and
kind of give them the resources and the guidance to make it through.
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>> That's why I love your education kind of seminar that you have for the students. You're putting in these like positive
subconscious and conscious brainwashing. So, great. Thinking back, were there any notable media depictions in
America about your ethnic group or none at all?
>> Can you repeat that?
>> Kind of like notable immediate depictions? Like did you ever see any American in any form on TV?
>> No I haven't, now I'm beginning to see more and more which, you know, I'm happy about it because if there's a
positive projection right of someone that's similar to your ethnicity and similar to your backgrounds, making it
successfully, it gives you hope that, hey, you know, I could do that too. But growing up I didn't see any of that.
>> Okay great. Speaking specifically of your high school, do you think your high school Roosevelt High School in
Fresno, did it sufficiently prepare you for college?
>> You know, I don't believe so. I mean back in the days, I'm not blaming the teachers, I mean Roosevelt had really
high rates of, you know, children coming from really low socio-economic background, drugs, childhood, I mean not
childhood, teenage pregnancy drugs were a major thing so as administrators that was more of their focus. So as far as
being a student having more opportunities to excel, you know, having more positive activities, guidance, I don't
remember having any of that it was just really my family who keeps pushing me, telling me, reminding me that I need to
study hard and do well and go to college and I just carried that through with me.
>> Okay great. Okay, we can skip it or not, but do you think that you had any barriers to go to college? Did you have
any barriers?
>> You know, I was fortunate that I didn't have much of a barrier however, I believe that it would have been easier if we
had, you know, people guiding us. I even remembered, you know, having to kind of research how to apply etcetera,
there was a gentleman that was sent to help but every time I go there, he was just really busy with other people and
although I remembered struggling, you know, to fill out the application on my own but I'm pretty, you know,
resourceful. I eventually ask people who was able to see that gentleman who can from Fresno State and they kind of
help me and I made it through.
>> So you, that's something that I recommend that you need more people coming in not as one person that's
overwhelmed.
>> Yeah, I think you saw just, you know, who goes out there but someone who's fascinating everyone, you know,
sometimes when you send out a certain person who's not as open to, or comfortable with working with all sorts of
people who have the, you know, the heart to want to help everyone they kind of focus on a certain type of people. I
believe that we need someone who's goanna outreach to everyone regardless of their culture, background, their gender,
etcetera. Somebody who's, you know, one has a good heart and wants to help all.
>> Great point. Okay, so let's go to your success. The last part. What do you think is a secret of success, what do you
think if you were to say ten things, like the bridge is your success, what do you think that you did specifically? Because
you are quite successful, a leader in the community. What do you think where you're like, if you sort of ten or more
things, what do you think we're bridges to your success?
>> You know, definitely having a strong support from home right. Having parents who provide you the essentials, you
know, make sure you have enough food, make sure, you know, you don't have to work so hard to pay for your bills. I
mean, I was fortunate that my parents and grandparents were hard-working people who were always out in the fields,
you know, working making sure we have enough money to pay for, you know, the essentials that we need. My parents
all got each of our siblings a car, you know, it wasn't a, you know, a new, brand new [inaudible] but then they said you
need this car to make sure that you go to school on time and come home on time. My only responsibility was to pay for
gas. I mean they took care of the insurance, they took care of the car for me. So that was less stress on my part right. So,
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I could focus in school. I couldn't imagine having to, you know, fend for myself as far as, you know, saving money to
buy for my own car, my own insurance. So, because of that, I have more time. So, I think family support is number one.
I mean they also make sure I have enough food when they come home and number two would be, you know, having,
you know, like mentors. I personally did not have mentors until later on when start doing volunteer work and connect
with others, but I believe that having a mentor is huge. When I went on my path to medical school, I already had a
mentor by then. Doctor Hidden who was the CEO, lucky me, from Community Hospital, was my mentor and then he
guided me through and that was such a great help. Having friends who have similar interests. I hung out with a friend,
my childhood friend, who was also a nursing major, who also went to the same medical school. We literally took the
same classes, studied together, you definitely meet that person who's gonna be out, you know, after 12 with you, right?
Just studying, reviewing things with you, you know, choosing, you know, teachers who really care. I was really strategic
in who I chose. I mean, I would ask people hey, you know, which teachers you take for, you know, for this class, you
know, biology, chemistry and they would tell me this professor is really nice, you know, he will meet with you if you
don't understand something. So just having that, you know, have that strategic planning. Another thing I would say was
a great bridge, you know, developing yourself as a leader, you know, I would join different organizations, I would give
myself an opportunity to speak up. It was scary but I knew it was important for me to develop myself personally and
socially and so I would, you know, I would really push myself to volunteer to be MC to be, you know, the officers of
clubs. Also finding resources.
>> Were you the president of Lao Club?
>> I was. I ran for the president. But believe it or not, I didn't get it. But I did run for a VP, which I got. Unfortunately,
the president had a family issue where she dropped out and I became the president, yes.
>> Wow.
>> So, by default I was and I gained a lot of leadership skills from that. Another thing is looking for resources, you
know, I actually went for tutoring just to improve my writing skills. I wasn't, you know, recommended to go but I felt
like that this is important to me to be able to write in read well. So, I seek out a tutor for English class I remember and
also, I was seeking out for resources here on campus [inaudible] was huge right, you know, the health, you know, the
health program for people who want to go to health and engineering. And so, I was like hey, you know, if I want to
become a, you know, a physician, I definitely need to go in an area that I could meet other people who's in the same,
you know, who has the same goals and so joining that helped a lot. And never be afraid to ask for help, you know, I
know that a lot of the Southeast Asian and students are fearful or not comfortable asking for help but, you know, people
who are successful, they want to help, you know, my experience has been when I ask my professors or people who are
out in the community who already are successful, there are more than willing to help you. And including myself. You
know, anybody who approached me who wanted me to help them with a letter of recommendation, with their resume,
with advising on the career path or jobs I'm more than happy to do that. so those are just some of the bridges I found that
was helpful for me.
>> Great were there any gendered bridges that you felt? Any female bridges or, you talk about your family a lot, were
there any bridges that you did such as, I don't know, clubs that were like sororities?
>> You know, I wasn't one of your popular students, you know, in a way it worked out to my advantage because I've
noticed that friends who were really outgoing, who got invited to all sorts of parties, you know, they focused more their
time and social events than me. I was okay. I would say I was, you know, I got invited to places. I mean I did pretty
well. I went to parties just to connect. I believe that we need balance, you know, some people just said, hey I want to
become a physician all they do is, study, study, study, do research. Me, I knew early on that socially, I have to be able to
connect with people. So, I tried to balance myself out. So, I joined more culture clubs, academic clubs. I'd always seek
opportunities for leadership and that's huge and I think one of the key to success it's really knowing, you know, who you
are and being able to project that in a more, you know, progressive or, you know, comfortable way. Not everybody is
comfortable speaking up and if you're one of those guys, you know, it's important for you to learn. I was not born with
that type of personality. I was quite shy growing up, however, early on I knew it was important to be able to speak up
and to be a leader and so I took classes, I joined, like I said, different organizations to help build that.
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>> So, I love how you said you joined clubs in cultural and academic clubs which is very important. You did the
balance of social life. Specifically, for, I think students who are female who might be listening right now right, there are
female students right, and they are struggling against their kind of like social norms of being quiet, passive. What do
you say to them the female students who might be listening? How could, what can you get advice can give the female
students to kind of break out to do the things that you did?
>> Yes.
>> You're first-generation too,
>> Yeah well luckily, you know, I come from a Lao America background where there's not that gender divide so much.
As a matter of fact, a lot of Lao women are very social and outspoken.
>> Oh.
>> A lot of Lao men are more accepted of that and they don't make it like an issue with us.
>> Okay.
>> But I think for females who come from, you know, a background where gender is an issue, I really believe that we
have to, you know, be progressive in our way of thinking and know that hey, you know, in order to succeed I need to be
able to speak up. I mean cultural traditions are important in certain ways but if it's going to be a barrier to your success,
you got to break away from that. And then moving away from home might be a, you know, something for you to do. I
mean if you know that you're strong enough to be on your own, I think it will bring in more insight perspective in the
world and by stepping out of, you know, your regular community where they'll judge you based on behave. Going away,
you know, will give you that opportunity to be who you are to explore, you know, and learn how it is to be independent
and to think outside of the box.
>> So thank you that's wonderful advice. So, for academics, do you have any other bridges that you think that Fresno
State could employ? My second the last question is there anything that you see at Fresno State that you think would be
helpful? You graduate here that would help people to graduate?
>> You know, what I really believe that we have to get the right people with the right heart and the right skills to
educate students. I mean, I know that we have a big program for African American also for Latinos. I mean for the
Southeast Asian I know that there's more programs or more staff targeting at the Hmong population, I still believe that
there should be more done but if you look at the Lao and the Cambodian Americans, there's really no tools for them. So,
I have heard that from before I even join here that, you know, students are just lost. Even students from high schools,
you know, they said how come, you know, the Hmong students always get to go here and there and they have their own
clubs and how can we get one of those? And I had told them that just, you know, form a group and approach your
principal about it. But, I think even at their other young age they're not, you know, they're not confident enough to do
that on their own. So, when I have the opportunity to, I got invited from time to time to go speak to students, you know,
either counselors or principals would invite me over, and I would go speak with them and those were some of the
concerns that students have, you know, they don't feel a sense of belonging. And here being at Fresno State, I get invited
to come and speak at Fresno State as well and the students say the same thing. We really don't know who to go to, you
know, when we're in trouble, I mean, and I would tell them just go to your professors, you know, and I think, again
because of our culture right, we're more taught to kind of not raise any issues. So, they don't really go to their counselors
either. I mean go to their professors either. I believe, you know, you could have someone who could relate to them. Like
myself, I'm a really open person, you know, kids from all lots of life feel pretty comfortable with me even though I've
been here only two months, I would just, you know, talk to them like, you know, I would to a brother or sister and many
of them would open up to me. I believe that if you can find someone like that where they care about the student, not
targeting just any, you know, race or any ethnicity, but just be like hey, you know, I'm here for you. But I believe that
students because they're not here, in particularly in Fresno, we have pods of each ethnicity, right? There's a big group of
each group that they don't, you know, have a chance to integrate with others. So, Lao mainly stick with their Lao,
Cambodian we Cambodian, the Hmong with the Hmong, Vietnamese, there's not many of them, but the same thing. I
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think that if you could hire someone, you know, in particular, I really believe that the Lao American, the Cambodian
Americans and the Vietnamese, the smaller groups, they really don't have outreach and so>> I agree witty you.
>> You agree with me on that right? So, these kids have potentials, you know, but because of the new social
environment, you know, most of them are not able to adapt to it. So, I think if we have an even one counselor targeting
or working with them who understands that most likely somebody who has their social background that could come out
and be here present for them, I think that would make a huge difference.
>> So one psychological counselor or one academic counselor or both?
>> I really>> Target in Southeast Asia?
>> You know, I believe academic it is a priority, you know, you could have both of course them to be ideal but given
our budget, I think you need to have one that's an academic counselor who could play a role of being a mentor, you
know, and being a resource for them. I am confident that the success rate will be huge.
>> Okay, thank you. I think that is something that can be enacted. Okay.
>> Thank you.
>> No thank you. That's something that I could definitely request can we have a specific Southeast Asian academic
counselor that actually speaks to South Asians that, okay, I'll double star that. Okay, and my last question is, what are, if
you, as a physician, you probably see a lot of things that body affects the mind.
>> Yes.
>> The body affects the mind. And even your family affects your mind and your generations back you believe that stuff
affects you right? What do you, what is the self-care advice that you can give to students who are struggling so much?
They have all the barriers right, but they want, what do you do - what are the ten things that they can do to, you know,
be fit? To do well and to graduate?
>> Well, you know, kids, you know, coming to college you're like 18 to about 25, right? That's about the average?
>> Many are 28. [inaudible] yes, many Asians are 28.
>> Ok, how about>> 18 through 30's.
>> Yes, yes 30's
>> Okay especially in the 18s and up, [inaudible] is so important to them, right? So, they want to wear the best clothes
or clothes that their friends have etc. but yet, you know, they might not have that type of resources. Dad and mom are
farmers or they don't have great jobs. I mean that is something we all have to face including myself, you know, I mean
even though I didn't care too much about clothing at that time, but I do look around and say wow, you know, at times I
feel, you know, insecure because I would walk in a room and other people are we dressing etc. etc. But I just want to let,
you know, about hey, you know, this is some of the circumstances that we cannot change. And although it's important to
us, just know that, hey, it's just a short time. You can go to the thrift shop, be more creative in where you go shop right?
It doesn't have to be name-brand where it's 100 dollars, it could be something like 10-15 dollars. You can create a look
that's really nice.
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>> True.
>> That's one thing. So, mental health is important. Low self-esteem is tied to, you know, of course depression, anxiety
but also your social economic, social background. I believe that's important for you guys too, for those who are in that
arena to connect with people who kind of feel similar. See a counselor who will teach you about, you know, the
important, you know, just thinking positive. I mean there's no shame in that. I will tell you I specifically go see a
psychologist from time to time even now, you know, dealing with just my job, right? Health issues. I mean, I'm not like
unlike others I have my own health issues and at times I have to go see a, you know, a psychologist or, you know,
whoever could help me. And that's okay with that. On top of that, mental health is important. The most important things,
self-esteem issues, you know, depression, anxiety please seek help for that. And I think it's eating, well right? I mean
many of us, I know, I was a student myself our budget is so low and so we eat like, you know, noodles and, you know,
think us like 99 cents food at the fast food. That's so unhealthy. Now I heard there's the food program, here right?
>> The Pantry.
>> The Pantry please take advantage of that. I mean there's no shame in that as well. I mean, you have your apples all
these fresh fruits, why not take one or more?
>> Good point. Take many apples.
>> Yes take many apples and also there's a lot of food banks right out in the community. Our students might not be
aware but I believe that's there for a reason and that's to help people who are, you know, going through some tough
times. It's just temporary. Eating well, exercise.
>> Can you tell more about exercise. What can a student do to exercise?
>> All the time is its obviously limited.
>> Because they always say they're busy. They always say, "I'm too busy."
>> I mean, many of us, we're busy and we are, you know, but what can you do? Well the body, just like anything, has a
habit. If you have a habit of just wanting to sit all the time, that's what it's gonna do. So, small stuffs at a time just a little
bit of walking, you know, to your car, park far away. It seems like we have no choice, anyway right? Parking far away
initially just do walks, you know, little by little. You're gonna get there but, what I found out also is that we have such a
great gym and the memberships is already paid for.
>> Really? It is?
>> So why not go there right and do some classes? I personally like Zumba. I also like the cardiac workout. I will do
that but if you enjoy other things, I think dancing is an important aspect, right? There's classes you can take. But one
step at a time. Hang out with people who enjoys exercising, because they said if you want to be, you know, successful
you hang out with successful folk, not that you don't hang out with those who are not successful, but your main time
would be spending with those. If you want to be healthy, you got to hang out with people who are healthy.
>> Right.
>> People who go to the gym, people who watch what they eat.
>> That is great advice.
>> Yes.
>> And what about sleep?
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>> Well as, you know, you know, they say eight hours but recent research indicates that six hours is enough for some
people, like myself. I never need more than five hours.
>> Really?
>> Yeah.
>> Oh God. Okay.
>> I know, right? For five hours so you have to know your body. But ideally, I mean eight, seven or eight hours is ideal
and then again, you've got to train your body to do that. For some people they say well, you know, I don't fall asleep
until midnight and I have to wake up at five or six. Well, you know, like anything you have to train your body. If you
want eight hours you have to kind of do the calculation. Okay, I need to go to sleep at 10 o'clock so I can wake up by
8:00, or I go to sleep at 8:00, you know, I can wake up at 6. So, sleep is essential right sleep exercise and what you eat.
When you're young you might not think too much about it but believe me, it's gonna pay off if you train your body to
eat well, sleep well, be healthy, you know, it's gonna help you focus better. It's gonna have, you're gonna be sick less, so
then you have more time to study.
>> Okay great. Well that was my last question. Do you think there's anything else that I should have asked you or you
want to add?
>> Well I just want to add that, hey guys, you know, we all are gifted with the talent. I mean if you don't do so well in
school, despite the fact that you put all this effort, I don't want you to be too hard on yourself. That means you could be
somewhere else. Vocational training would be another option. A business of some sort, right? Just learning how to be,
you know, a proficient electrician, you know, a plumber even or mechanic. Those things those are your millionaires
right there, you know, you don't need an education you don't need a degree, I should say. You need education to be a
well-rounded individual. I don't want you to be hard on yourself if you do all you can and you still cannot make it, then I
want you to find alternative, you know, training. Like I said, vocational. Also believe in yourself you. You've got to
believe yourself in order to achieve. If you have doubts, oh I can't do this, I can't do that, it's likely you won't. So, for
myself at a very young age I have always told myself, I can do this, and I never feel like I cannot do something. So,
positive thinking and surround yourself by positive people. People who's gonna want to help you who's gonna lift you
up. If you are surrounded by people was going in a wrong path, you know, it's likely you're gonna be that way as well.
So, I want you to use your judgement and hang out with people who's got goals that similar to yours and then hang out
with people who's gonna, like, I said, support you and not be afraid to ask for help. I mean successful people want to
help you as I shared earlier. And that's all the advice I have.
>> Well thank you Doctor Khampha. I'm gonna shut this down. Thank you so much for your time and all your great
advice. [inaudible background noise]
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Asian. If you can actually give me, say your name and if you can verbally give me a- say your name, spell your name
and verbally give me permission to interview you to be eventually deposited into the Fresno State Library.
>> Thank you. My name is Khampha Thephavong. K H A M P H A, T H E P H A V O N G, and I give you a full
permission for this interview.
>> Oh great okay and to cite you if I need to okay?
>> Yeah,
>> Published by [inaudible response] okay great. Okay, so you are my 40th double minority interview, thank you so
much. Thank you for telling me your name. What is your gender?
>> My gender is, I am a female.
>> What is your birth year?
>> My birth year is 1972.
>> What is your ethnic group?
>> I am a Lao American.
>> What it was your undergraduate major?
>> My undergrad major was nursing and I'm also Premed.
>> What is your generation in the United States?
>> I'm first-generation.
>> What is your mother and father's higher education background?
>> My mom was a homemaker. She actually had an education up to the sixth grade and my dad had a, you know, fouryear degree in college.
>> Oh, okay. What was your GPA in undergraduate?
>> My GPA was a little bit about 3.8. I believe it was three point eight four.
>> Wow and then what was, since you already have your medical degree, what was all your degrees?
>> Okay, my first degree was a Bachelor's in nursing. So, I have, I have an RN and then I became and DO, which is a
doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
>> Okay, and were you the first in your family to have a college degree? > My sister had her bachelor's degree in liberal
arts and then I was the second one.
>> Okay, and did you go to Fresno State?
>> Yes, I did my undergrad here and then I did my med school at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
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>> Great. Okay. Alright, so here when you were working, what was your socio-economic background? Was a workingclass, middle-class, affluent wealthy?
>> No, I definitely was not wealthy. But, I would say middle-class. My grandparents and my parents were really, really
hard-working people so I would not consider myself as, you know, poor at all. We were like middle class.
>> Okay and what high school did you go to and what was the racial and ethnic demographics of your high school?
>> I attended Roosevelt High School and I would say 95% are minorities. There's a big population of Hispanics being
the biggest. I would say at least 60% and there's a big Southeast Asian population and also African American.
>> Interesting. So specifically of the Southeast Asian, what groups of Southeast Asians went to your high school?
>> What group?
>> Yeah. What ethnic groups?
>> Okay, we have a pretty large Lao,
>> Oh okay.
>> And also a large group of Hmong and Cambodians.
>> Interesting. Okay. Why, and let's get more specific. Why do a Laotian Americans go to college? Why or why not do
they go to college?
>> You know, I believe, you know, the handful or the few that attend our college is because, you know, that's ingrained
in them early on right that education is important, and they have at least some exposure or mentorship that is important
for you to achieve your education. And many of them did not attend college is because of, you know, lack of, you know,
guidance many of them come from working-class or poor and they have no role models or family members who are able
to guide them. So, that was at least, you know, for my experience many of my friends didn't go to college and it's
because no one in their family went to college and nobody even spoke to them, you know, not even the counselors, you
know, I went to Roosevelt and me personally, I just went to see her once. I mean, four years just one time and we didn't
even talk about College.
>> Wow okay, so speaking specifically, you said you weren't really mentored and you didn't talk about College, what
were they teacher expectations of you at Roosevelt? Was it high, medium, low?
>> You know, I felt that the teachers were overwhelmed with more disciplinary issues and so, if I remember correctly,
none of my teachers have spoken to me about college. But they did, you know, tell me that I was a good student and
they want me to continue to study hard.
>> What about your co-ethnic peers, what do you think that teacher expectations were of Laotian Americans?
>> You know, I don't I don't believe that they have much of an expectation, you know, I mean many of my friends who
didn't do well they never got talked to, the families never called in to do anything. I, for my own personal experience, I
believe that we're kind of like on our own to do what we need to do. I mean, I was fortunate that my dad has a college
degree and I come from a family where they push education very heavily. Every day they would remind us to do well
and unless you want to work hard in the fields of such, they said you need to really, you know, take education seriously,
study hard so that way you attended school and I think that was one of the main reason why I went to college. But me
and my friends didn't come from that type of background where their parents would talk to them about that because their
parents were just farmers, regular workers and that would have been such a great difference if, you know, the schools
would have more of like, families coming together just, you know, talking about how important is to go to school and
kind of give them the resources and the guidance to make it through.
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>> That's why I love your education kind of seminar that you have for the students. You're putting in these like positive
subconscious and conscious brainwashing. So, great. Thinking back, were there any notable media depictions in
America about your ethnic group or none at all?
>> Can you repeat that?
>> Kind of like notable immediate depictions? Like did you ever see any American in any form on TV?
>> No I haven't, now I'm beginning to see more and more which, you know, I'm happy about it because if there's a
positive projection right of someone that's similar to your ethnicity and similar to your backgrounds, making it
successfully, it gives you hope that, hey, you know, I could do that too. But growing up I didn't see any of that.
>> Okay great. Speaking specifically of your high school, do you think your high school Roosevelt High School in
Fresno, did it sufficiently prepare you for college?
>> You know, I don't believe so. I mean back in the days, I'm not blaming the teachers, I mean Roosevelt had really
high rates of, you know, children coming from really low socio-economic background, drugs, childhood, I mean not
childhood, teenage pregnancy drugs were a major thing so as administrators that was more of their focus. So as far as
being a student having more opportunities to excel, you know, having more positive activities, guidance, I don't
remember having any of that it was just really my family who keeps pushing me, telling me, reminding me that I need to
study hard and do well and go to college and I just carried that through with me.
>> Okay great. Okay, we can skip it or not, but do you think that you had any barriers to go to college? Did you have
any barriers?
>> You know, I was fortunate that I didn't have much of a barrier however, I believe that it would have been easier if we
had, you know, people guiding us. I even remembered, you know, having to kind of research how to apply etcetera,
there was a gentleman that was sent to help but every time I go there, he was just really busy with other people and
although I remembered struggling, you know, to fill out the application on my own but I'm pretty, you know,
resourceful. I eventually ask people who was able to see that gentleman who can from Fresno State and they kind of
help me and I made it through.
>> So you, that's something that I recommend that you need more people coming in not as one person that's
overwhelmed.
>> Yeah, I think you saw just, you know, who goes out there but someone who's fascinating everyone, you know,
sometimes when you send out a certain person who's not as open to, or comfortable with working with all sorts of
people who have the, you know, the heart to want to help everyone they kind of focus on a certain type of people. I
believe that we need someone who's goanna outreach to everyone regardless of their culture, background, their gender,
etcetera. Somebody who's, you know, one has a good heart and wants to help all.
>> Great point. Okay, so let's go to your success. The last part. What do you think is a secret of success, what do you
think if you were to say ten things, like the bridge is your success, what do you think that you did specifically? Because
you are quite successful, a leader in the community. What do you think where you're like, if you sort of ten or more
things, what do you think we're bridges to your success?
>> You know, definitely having a strong support from home right. Having parents who provide you the essentials, you
know, make sure you have enough food, make sure, you know, you don't have to work so hard to pay for your bills. I
mean, I was fortunate that my parents and grandparents were hard-working people who were always out in the fields,
you know, working making sure we have enough money to pay for, you know, the essentials that we need. My parents
all got each of our siblings a car, you know, it wasn't a, you know, a new, brand new [inaudible] but then they said you
need this car to make sure that you go to school on time and come home on time. My only responsibility was to pay for
gas. I mean they took care of the insurance, they took care of the car for me. So that was less stress on my part right. So,
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I could focus in school. I couldn't imagine having to, you know, fend for myself as far as, you know, saving money to
buy for my own car, my own insurance. So, because of that, I have more time. So, I think family support is number one.
I mean they also make sure I have enough food when they come home and number two would be, you know, having,
you know, like mentors. I personally did not have mentors until later on when start doing volunteer work and connect
with others, but I believe that having a mentor is huge. When I went on my path to medical school, I already had a
mentor by then. Doctor Hidden who was the CEO, lucky me, from Community Hospital, was my mentor and then he
guided me through and that was such a great help. Having friends who have similar interests. I hung out with a friend,
my childhood friend, who was also a nursing major, who also went to the same medical school. We literally took the
same classes, studied together, you definitely meet that person who's gonna be out, you know, after 12 with you, right?
Just studying, reviewing things with you, you know, choosing, you know, teachers who really care. I was really strategic
in who I chose. I mean, I would ask people hey, you know, which teachers you take for, you know, for this class, you
know, biology, chemistry and they would tell me this professor is really nice, you know, he will meet with you if you
don't understand something. So just having that, you know, have that strategic planning. Another thing I would say was
a great bridge, you know, developing yourself as a leader, you know, I would join different organizations, I would give
myself an opportunity to speak up. It was scary but I knew it was important for me to develop myself personally and
socially and so I would, you know, I would really push myself to volunteer to be MC to be, you know, the officers of
clubs. Also finding resources.
>> Were you the president of Lao Club?
>> I was. I ran for the president. But believe it or not, I didn't get it. But I did run for a VP, which I got. Unfortunately,
the president had a family issue where she dropped out and I became the president, yes.
>> Wow.
>> So, by default I was and I gained a lot of leadership skills from that. Another thing is looking for resources, you
know, I actually went for tutoring just to improve my writing skills. I wasn't, you know, recommended to go but I felt
like that this is important to me to be able to write in read well. So, I seek out a tutor for English class I remember and
also, I was seeking out for resources here on campus [inaudible] was huge right, you know, the health, you know, the
health program for people who want to go to health and engineering. And so, I was like hey, you know, if I want to
become a, you know, a physician, I definitely need to go in an area that I could meet other people who's in the same,
you know, who has the same goals and so joining that helped a lot. And never be afraid to ask for help, you know, I
know that a lot of the Southeast Asian and students are fearful or not comfortable asking for help but, you know, people
who are successful, they want to help, you know, my experience has been when I ask my professors or people who are
out in the community who already are successful, there are more than willing to help you. And including myself. You
know, anybody who approached me who wanted me to help them with a letter of recommendation, with their resume,
with advising on the career path or jobs I'm more than happy to do that. so those are just some of the bridges I found that
was helpful for me.
>> Great were there any gendered bridges that you felt? Any female bridges or, you talk about your family a lot, were
there any bridges that you did such as, I don't know, clubs that were like sororities?
>> You know, I wasn't one of your popular students, you know, in a way it worked out to my advantage because I've
noticed that friends who were really outgoing, who got invited to all sorts of parties, you know, they focused more their
time and social events than me. I was okay. I would say I was, you know, I got invited to places. I mean I did pretty
well. I went to parties just to connect. I believe that we need balance, you know, some people just said, hey I want to
become a physician all they do is, study, study, study, do research. Me, I knew early on that socially, I have to be able to
connect with people. So, I tried to balance myself out. So, I joined more culture clubs, academic clubs. I'd always seek
opportunities for leadership and that's huge and I think one of the key to success it's really knowing, you know, who you
are and being able to project that in a more, you know, progressive or, you know, comfortable way. Not everybody is
comfortable speaking up and if you're one of those guys, you know, it's important for you to learn. I was not born with
that type of personality. I was quite shy growing up, however, early on I knew it was important to be able to speak up
and to be a leader and so I took classes, I joined, like I said, different organizations to help build that.
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>> So, I love how you said you joined clubs in cultural and academic clubs which is very important. You did the
balance of social life. Specifically, for, I think students who are female who might be listening right now right, there are
female students right, and they are struggling against their kind of like social norms of being quiet, passive. What do
you say to them the female students who might be listening? How could, what can you get advice can give the female
students to kind of break out to do the things that you did?
>> Yes.
>> You're first-generation too,
>> Yeah well luckily, you know, I come from a Lao America background where there's not that gender divide so much.
As a matter of fact, a lot of Lao women are very social and outspoken.
>> Oh.
>> A lot of Lao men are more accepted of that and they don't make it like an issue with us.
>> Okay.
>> But I think for females who come from, you know, a background where gender is an issue, I really believe that we
have to, you know, be progressive in our way of thinking and know that hey, you know, in order to succeed I need to be
able to speak up. I mean cultural traditions are important in certain ways but if it's going to be a barrier to your success,
you got to break away from that. And then moving away from home might be a, you know, something for you to do. I
mean if you know that you're strong enough to be on your own, I think it will bring in more insight perspective in the
world and by stepping out of, you know, your regular community where they'll judge you based on behave. Going away,
you know, will give you that opportunity to be who you are to explore, you know, and learn how it is to be independent
and to think outside of the box.
>> So thank you that's wonderful advice. So, for academics, do you have any other bridges that you think that Fresno
State could employ? My second the last question is there anything that you see at Fresno State that you think would be
helpful? You graduate here that would help people to graduate?
>> You know, what I really believe that we have to get the right people with the right heart and the right skills to
educate students. I mean, I know that we have a big program for African American also for Latinos. I mean for the
Southeast Asian I know that there's more programs or more staff targeting at the Hmong population, I still believe that
there should be more done but if you look at the Lao and the Cambodian Americans, there's really no tools for them. So,
I have heard that from before I even join here that, you know, students are just lost. Even students from high schools,
you know, they said how come, you know, the Hmong students always get to go here and there and they have their own
clubs and how can we get one of those? And I had told them that just, you know, form a group and approach your
principal about it. But, I think even at their other young age they're not, you know, they're not confident enough to do
that on their own. So, when I have the opportunity to, I got invited from time to time to go speak to students, you know,
either counselors or principals would invite me over, and I would go speak with them and those were some of the
concerns that students have, you know, they don't feel a sense of belonging. And here being at Fresno State, I get invited
to come and speak at Fresno State as well and the students say the same thing. We really don't know who to go to, you
know, when we're in trouble, I mean, and I would tell them just go to your professors, you know, and I think, again
because of our culture right, we're more taught to kind of not raise any issues. So, they don't really go to their counselors
either. I mean go to their professors either. I believe, you know, you could have someone who could relate to them. Like
myself, I'm a really open person, you know, kids from all lots of life feel pretty comfortable with me even though I've
been here only two months, I would just, you know, talk to them like, you know, I would to a brother or sister and many
of them would open up to me. I believe that if you can find someone like that where they care about the student, not
targeting just any, you know, race or any ethnicity, but just be like hey, you know, I'm here for you. But I believe that
students because they're not here, in particularly in Fresno, we have pods of each ethnicity, right? There's a big group of
each group that they don't, you know, have a chance to integrate with others. So, Lao mainly stick with their Lao,
Cambodian we Cambodian, the Hmong with the Hmong, Vietnamese, there's not many of them, but the same thing. I
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think that if you could hire someone, you know, in particular, I really believe that the Lao American, the Cambodian
Americans and the Vietnamese, the smaller groups, they really don't have outreach and so>> I agree witty you.
>> You agree with me on that right? So, these kids have potentials, you know, but because of the new social
environment, you know, most of them are not able to adapt to it. So, I think if we have an even one counselor targeting
or working with them who understands that most likely somebody who has their social background that could come out
and be here present for them, I think that would make a huge difference.
>> So one psychological counselor or one academic counselor or both?
>> I really>> Target in Southeast Asia?
>> You know, I believe academic it is a priority, you know, you could have both of course them to be ideal but given
our budget, I think you need to have one that's an academic counselor who could play a role of being a mentor, you
know, and being a resource for them. I am confident that the success rate will be huge.
>> Okay, thank you. I think that is something that can be enacted. Okay.
>> Thank you.
>> No thank you. That's something that I could definitely request can we have a specific Southeast Asian academic
counselor that actually speaks to South Asians that, okay, I'll double star that. Okay, and my last question is, what are, if
you, as a physician, you probably see a lot of things that body affects the mind.
>> Yes.
>> The body affects the mind. And even your family affects your mind and your generations back you believe that stuff
affects you right? What do you, what is the self-care advice that you can give to students who are struggling so much?
They have all the barriers right, but they want, what do you do - what are the ten things that they can do to, you know,
be fit? To do well and to graduate?
>> Well, you know, kids, you know, coming to college you're like 18 to about 25, right? That's about the average?
>> Many are 28. [inaudible] yes, many Asians are 28.
>> Ok, how about>> 18 through 30's.
>> Yes, yes 30's
>> Okay especially in the 18s and up, [inaudible] is so important to them, right? So, they want to wear the best clothes
or clothes that their friends have etc. but yet, you know, they might not have that type of resources. Dad and mom are
farmers or they don't have great jobs. I mean that is something we all have to face including myself, you know, I mean
even though I didn't care too much about clothing at that time, but I do look around and say wow, you know, at times I
feel, you know, insecure because I would walk in a room and other people are we dressing etc. etc. But I just want to let,
you know, about hey, you know, this is some of the circumstances that we cannot change. And although it's important to
us, just know that, hey, it's just a short time. You can go to the thrift shop, be more creative in where you go shop right?
It doesn't have to be name-brand where it's 100 dollars, it could be something like 10-15 dollars. You can create a look
that's really nice.
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>> True.
>> That's one thing. So, mental health is important. Low self-esteem is tied to, you know, of course depression, anxiety
but also your social economic, social background. I believe that's important for you guys too, for those who are in that
arena to connect with people who kind of feel similar. See a counselor who will teach you about, you know, the
important, you know, just thinking positive. I mean there's no shame in that. I will tell you I specifically go see a
psychologist from time to time even now, you know, dealing with just my job, right? Health issues. I mean, I'm not like
unlike others I have my own health issues and at times I have to go see a, you know, a psychologist or, you know,
whoever could help me. And that's okay with that. On top of that, mental health is important. The most important things,
self-esteem issues, you know, depression, anxiety please seek help for that. And I think it's eating, well right? I mean
many of us, I know, I was a student myself our budget is so low and so we eat like, you know, noodles and, you know,
think us like 99 cents food at the fast food. That's so unhealthy. Now I heard there's the food program, here right?
>> The Pantry.
>> The Pantry please take advantage of that. I mean there's no shame in that as well. I mean, you have your apples all
these fresh fruits, why not take one or more?
>> Good point. Take many apples.
>> Yes take many apples and also there's a lot of food banks right out in the community. Our students might not be
aware but I believe that's there for a reason and that's to help people who are, you know, going through some tough
times. It's just temporary. Eating well, exercise.
>> Can you tell more about exercise. What can a student do to exercise?
>> All the time is its obviously limited.
>> Because they always say they're busy. They always say, "I'm too busy."
>> I mean, many of us, we're busy and we are, you know, but what can you do? Well the body, just like anything, has a
habit. If you have a habit of just wanting to sit all the time, that's what it's gonna do. So, small stuffs at a time just a little
bit of walking, you know, to your car, park far away. It seems like we have no choice, anyway right? Parking far away
initially just do walks, you know, little by little. You're gonna get there but, what I found out also is that we have such a
great gym and the memberships is already paid for.
>> Really? It is?
>> So why not go there right and do some classes? I personally like Zumba. I also like the cardiac workout. I will do
that but if you enjoy other things, I think dancing is an important aspect, right? There's classes you can take. But one
step at a time. Hang out with people who enjoys exercising, because they said if you want to be, you know, successful
you hang out with successful folk, not that you don't hang out with those who are not successful, but your main time
would be spending with those. If you want to be healthy, you got to hang out with people who are healthy.
>> Right.
>> People who go to the gym, people who watch what they eat.
>> That is great advice.
>> Yes.
>> And what about sleep?
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>> Well as, you know, you know, they say eight hours but recent research indicates that six hours is enough for some
people, like myself. I never need more than five hours.
>> Really?
>> Yeah.
>> Oh God. Okay.
>> I know, right? For five hours so you have to know your body. But ideally, I mean eight, seven or eight hours is ideal
and then again, you've got to train your body to do that. For some people they say well, you know, I don't fall asleep
until midnight and I have to wake up at five or six. Well, you know, like anything you have to train your body. If you
want eight hours you have to kind of do the calculation. Okay, I need to go to sleep at 10 o'clock so I can wake up by
8:00, or I go to sleep at 8:00, you know, I can wake up at 6. So, sleep is essential right sleep exercise and what you eat.
When you're young you might not think too much about it but believe me, it's gonna pay off if you train your body to
eat well, sleep well, be healthy, you know, it's gonna help you focus better. It's gonna have, you're gonna be sick less, so
then you have more time to study.
>> Okay great. Well that was my last question. Do you think there's anything else that I should have asked you or you
want to add?
>> Well I just want to add that, hey guys, you know, we all are gifted with the talent. I mean if you don't do so well in
school, despite the fact that you put all this effort, I don't want you to be too hard on yourself. That means you could be
somewhere else. Vocational training would be another option. A business of some sort, right? Just learning how to be,
you know, a proficient electrician, you know, a plumber even or mechanic. Those things those are your millionaires
right there, you know, you don't need an education you don't need a degree, I should say. You need education to be a
well-rounded individual. I don't want you to be hard on yourself if you do all you can and you still cannot make it, then I
want you to find alternative, you know, training. Like I said, vocational. Also believe in yourself you. You've got to
believe yourself in order to achieve. If you have doubts, oh I can't do this, I can't do that, it's likely you won't. So, for
myself at a very young age I have always told myself, I can do this, and I never feel like I cannot do something. So,
positive thinking and surround yourself by positive people. People who's gonna want to help you who's gonna lift you
up. If you are surrounded by people was going in a wrong path, you know, it's likely you're gonna be that way as well.
So, I want you to use your judgement and hang out with people who's got goals that similar to yours and then hang out
with people who's gonna, like, I said, support you and not be afraid to ask for help. I mean successful people want to
help you as I shared earlier. And that's all the advice I have.
>> Well thank you Doctor Khampha. I'm gonna shut this down. Thank you so much for your time and all your great
advice. [inaudible background noise]
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