OCA Congratulates 2023 OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholars

For Immediate Release

July 11, 2023

Media Contact: 
Socheata Sun, Communications Fellow
socheata.sun@ocanational.org

Washington, D.C. —  OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates announced the 2023 recipients for the annual OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarships today, continuing a longstanding commitment with the UPS Foundation to support first-generation AAPI college students who exhibit academic achievement, leadership potential, and financial need.

Twelve high school graduates,enrolling in various colleges and universities throughout the nation this fall, will be awarded $2,000 each to cover tuition and school expenses. 

The OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship for Graduating High School Seniors is awarded to:

• William Cao; Pomona College

• Keisha Reine de Castro; University of California, Los Angeles

• Patrick Donn Dimasin; Pomona College

• Elizabeth Feng; University of California, Berkeley

• Max Senesac; Loyola Marymount University

• Aser Brandon Sorongon; Swarthmore College

• Amy Tran; Boston College

• Dung Tran; Washington University in St. Louis

• Kimberly Tran; University of Texas at Austin

• Ethan Wang; George Institute of Technology

• Hong Wen; University of Southern California

• Micky Wang; Penn State University

Full scholar biographies can be accessed here.

Additionally, four rising college seniors will each receive $2,500 to cover tuition and school expenses.

The OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship for Rising College Seniors is awarded to:

• Sora Heo; Boston University

• Anthony Hu; George Washington University

• Christina Pham; University of California, Berkeley

• Yoo Ra Sung; Stanford University

Full scholar biographies can be accessed here.

The OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship program was established to honor the legacy of Asian immigrants who arrived in the United States in pursuit of golden opportunities, and to honor the dedication of our awardees who also strive to attain a higher education. Since 1999, UPS has graciously funded the program and partnered with OCA to enable hundreds of AAPI students for over two decades.

“We are thankful to UPS for their continued partnership in joining us in our mission to help first-generation AAPI college students achieve their educational dreams,” said OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates President Linda Ng. “Many AAPI students encounter financial and social obstacles to higher education. The large volume of scholarship applicants indicates that the AAPI community still requires financial aid to achieve a higher education degree. Thus, we are delighted to still continue the OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship, which provides not only financial relief but also extra inspiration for AAPI students to finish their education.

“We know that many AANHPI students face significant barriers to accessing and completing higher education, such as affordability, academic preparation, language proficiency, immigration status, and cultural expectations,” said OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates Executive Director Thu Nguyen. “These barriers are often overlooked or ignored by the model minority myth that assumes all AANHPI students are successful and do not need any support. We are proud to partner with UPS to continue to give out these scholarships, which provide not only financial assistance but also extra motivation for AANHPI students to finish their education.”

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About OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates

Founded in 1973, OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national, member-driven social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.