Member Spotlight

Kelly Nguyen

Diversity Council Education Director

To the Diversity Council’s new Education Director, Kelly Nguyen, injustice is more than a social construct – it’s a detriment to good health. “If health is a state of well-being, [injustice] can be looked at from the perspective of a health problem,” Kelly explains.

It was through Kelly’s work with Victim Services of Dodge, Fillmore and Olmsted County that this idea was born. She joined Victim Services as a volunteer on their 24-hour crisis line, an opportunity that would lead to a full-time position. “It was a transformative experience,” says Kelly, who worked directly with victims of violent crimes. 

Her role evolved into examining causes for the perpetrators’ behavior. “As I looked at these adolescents, I wondered what was going on [from a] larger picture perspective. I’m interested in public health, and think applying community-based public health methods to this work is a helpful tool.”

After her work with Victim Services, Kelly moved with her family to Boston, where she pursued an academic program to further explore triggers for violent behaviors in school settings.  Her focus shifted from adolescence to early childhood during the program.

Kelly explains, “I saw [violent] behavior starts way back in early childhood, often in homes where caregivers struggle with poverty.  I saw what it means to be limited by characteristics and the struggles faced by those who are not white, well-educated, English-speaking, et cetera.  I’ve never felt so helpless.”

It was this feeling that spurred Kelly’s enrollment in the University of Minnesota’s school of public health after her family’s return to Rochester in 2006. Further study of public health methodology echoed Kelly’s belief that community involvement is essential to promote well-being for all individuals.

“By asking questions about power and privilege, we are really asking about [what causes] families to struggle, and if what we do as a community helps the person at the bottom in any way,” Kelly points out, “It is these lingering questions that plant the seeds of change. To not engage [the community with] these fundamental questions perpetuates the cycle of struggle.”

The concept of creating an inclusive community in which all members can participate in this dialogue attracts Kelly to the Diversity Council’s mission. She describes, “Everyone should have a place at the table. People should be welcomed, keeping in mind all their individual characteristics and making them into who they are, irrespective of labels.”

“There is already a tremendously rich, vibrant discussion going on, and I am glad to be part of it,” she continues. To further enhance the dialogue, Kelly hopes to add a parent component to current Diversity Council programming. “I think the next step is to provide parents information to talk about [issues addressed in Diversity Council programs]. I love when I get tip sheets on what to ask my children about what they’re learning. It helps begin a conversation.”

During college at Loyola University in Chicago, Kelly realized such conversations were critical, not only for children but for entire communities. Her move to Chicago from her hometown of Littleton, CO revealed to her the direness of poverty.

Combined with courses she took in philosophy, her undergraduate major, Kelly saw the importance of bolstering community awareness about issues such as poverty. “These issues are important to everybody, and showed me social justice was a worthwhile cause to [which I could] devote my life.”

In addition to her altruistic pursuits, Kelly is also devoted to her family. She and her husband, Loc, have two children. Together, they enjoy trips to the Twin Cities, swimming, reading and watching movies. The family recently celebrated Kelly’s completion of a Master’s of Education program at Harvard University. “I am proud of graduating, but most proud of going through the experience with my family,” she remarks.

As the Diversity Council continues to expand and enhance programming, Kelly’s academic achievements and experiences will be a tremendous asset. Her ability to apply methodologies from other disciplines, like public health, is consistent with the Diversity Council’s reliance on collaboration to create comprehensive, effective programs.

Please welcome the Diversity Council’s new Education Director, Kelly Nguyen! Kelly’s first day is Monday, March 12. She can be reached at (507) 282-9951 or at kellyn@diversitycouncil.org.

1130 1/2 7th St NW, Suite 204 , Rochester, MN 55901 · Tel: 507.282.9951 · Fax: 507.282.9964 · info@diversitycouncil.org

Diversity...It's all about respect.