Meet Maya Luong ’27

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Where are you from and what is your background?
I was originally born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, but my family moved to Los Angeles, CA when I was 13. Growing up in Ho Chi Minh City, a dense metropolis where people of all classes are friends, families, and neighbors, fueled my curiosity to understand why my city is the way it is. I grew up seeing the realities of poverty in my city and my country because they were always in front of my eyes. The more I came to understand my city, the more I realized that it was a microcosm of global political and economic inequality. This curiosity evolved into a passion for understanding the global economic system, how to rectify historical harms, and enabling everyone to live a life where they can reach their full potential.

Why did you apply for this graduate program and decide to study at USF?
In my undergraduate studies, I focused on politics, political economy, and human rights. As time went on, I saw that the fight to solve climate change is an arena where deep historical inequalities play out, with deep consequences. The tipping point in my thinking was learning that climate projections show much of the hometown that I grew up in to be underwater by 2050 due to sea level rise. This fact solidified my understanding that while I have been interested in solving human rights issues throughout my studies, there is one single, biggest human rights issue of the century: climate change. This is the reason that in my graduate degree program and career, I am focusing on formulating and implementing clean energy policies, which are at the heart of solving climate change. My path has led me to pursue the MS in Energy Systems Management at USF. I hope that this degree will equip me with the technical knowledge to better prepare me for a career in clean energy policy.

What impacts has the Dean's Scholarship had on your ability to further your studies?
The Dean’s Scholarship has undoubtedly helped me take the leap and pursue the MS in Energy Systems Management at USF. I am incredibly grateful for the support that USF is giving me to pursue my dreams in making a positive impact in the world.

What are your career ambitions?
In my career, I would like to use the MS in Energy Systems Management at USF to accelerate the clean energy transition in California, my second home, my hometown, and across the globe. I am thrilled to be starting this journey at USF. Already, I am seeing that I will be learning so much from experienced faculty in the program.

What is something unique or interesting about you?
In my free time, I like pursuing language learning and active hobbies! I am fluent in Vietnamese and French, and I am now learning Spanish. I also enjoy traveling, dancing, practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and aerial hoop (lyra), a type of circus art!