Mai Nguyen Do

Teaching Assistant

University of California, Riverside

There’s no one way to get to anywhere.

About Mai

I grew up in a working-class Vietnamese refugee family, navigating the challenges of race, class, and limited social capital.
Despite struggling academically in high school, I pursued my education with resilience, earning an associate's degree early.
Rejected by all UC campuses, I leaned on community college and affordability to continue my journey.
I explored topics of power, identity, and governance, driven by my family's experiences with immigration and poverty.
I attended Washington College and focused on political science, a subject that finally aligned with my passions.
On a whim, I applied to UC Riverside's political science Ph.D. program and found a home studying issues dear to my heart.
Juggling work and studies, I’m embracing dual roles as a researcher and educator, connecting academia to community change.