Pronouns: He/Him
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Hi there! I’m Peter Nguyen, and I’m thrilled to be a first-year Master of Public Administration student at the Evans School. I grew up in White Center, Seattle, and while I’ve loved living here, I’ve also enjoyed my time in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. These experiences, combined with my background as a Vietnamese American and a first-generation college student, have fueled my passion for public service and policy work. As the child of Vietnamese refugees, I am deeply motivated to contribute to my community and make a difference through policy advocacy!
My journey has taken me through higher education, nonprofit organizations, and recruitment, where I’ve had the chance to dive into program coordination, admissions, and talent development. I’m particularly passionate about Higher Education and Workforce Policy because I believe everyone deserves accessible and equitable education and career opportunities. I dream of working as a Program Manager or Policy Analyst in local or state government, where I can help create meaningful policy changes that make a difference in our communities.
When I’m not studying, you can find me in the kitchen baking up some goodies, enjoying video games, cracking codes in escape rooms, or checking out concerts. I also love traveling and tasting new regional cuisines! I’m really excited to be a part of the Evans community and can’t wait to connect with others who share a passion for public service and making positive changes in the world!
Why did you choose Evans?
I chose the Evans School because I love its strong focus on evidence-based policymaking and leadership development, which aligns perfectly with my desire to make a significant career change. During the application process, I actively participated in Q&A sessions with the Admissions team, attended networking events with students and faculty, and joined the Open House after my acceptance. These experiences really confirmed for me that I wanted to be part of this community. I felt so welcomed at UW, and it’s comforting to know I’ll be in such a supportive and collaborative environment. I’m also eager to sharpen my quantitative skills to help me analyze data-driven policy decisions, and I know Evans has some great courses in quantitative methods and program evaluation. Having grown up in Seattle, I’m especially excited about the chance to apply what I learn to policies that will directly impact my community as I navigate this new path in my career!
Looking back, what do you wish you had known about being an Evans student that would have helped you make your decision?
If I could go back and chat with myself before starting at Evans, I’d definitely remind myself to relax and have faith in my ability to adapt. After eight years of being in the working world, I was a bit anxious about diving back into student life—would I be able to juggle the coursework, re-learn how to study effectively, and manage financially without my usual income? I also found myself worrying about fitting in with my classmates, especially since many of them might be younger or in different life situations.
Looking back now, I see that I was overthinking things a bit. The truth is, a lot of my classmates were in similar situations—some had taken breaks from school, others had families to balance, and we were all there for the same reason: to grow, learn, and become better public servants. It really came down to stepping outside my comfort zone, making an effort to connect with others, and most importantly, not comparing my path to anyone else’s.
So, if I could share one piece of advice with incoming students, it would be this: be kind to yourself, enjoy the learning journey, and really take advantage of the amazing Evans community, because you definitely aren’t alone in this adventure!
What has been your favorite class so far, and why?
My favorite classes are Financial Management and Budgeting (PUBPOL 522) and Managing Organizational Performance (PUBPOL 512). These courses have sparked my interest and are highly relevant to my career aspirations.
The Financial Management class was definitely the hardest I’ve taken so far, requiring significant time and effort on assignments. However, I learned a lot and developed great friendships as we shared our struggles.
The Organizational Performance class was well-structured, allowing me to grasp key concepts and performance measures in an organized way. I gained valuable experience writing memos focused on assessing organizational management and performance. I appreciate that the class is designed for group work, enabling us to collaborate with different classmates each session and engage in discussions about cases, current events, and readings.
What has been a highlight of your time at the Evans School?
I really cherish the closeness and openness that lets us get to know each other better and enjoy our time together. One of my favorite traditions this Spring Quarter has been heading to different local cafes with my classmates every Thursday after class. There are so many great cafes around UW, each with its own unique vibe, drinks, and tasty treats! I also enjoy the student-organized events like the Winter Party and bar hopping, along with the more casual hangouts, like studying at a pizza bar and then jumping into trivia afterward. I’m so grateful for all these opportunities to socialize and make great memories!
What’s your favorite thing to do in Seattle outside of school?
Outside of school, my favorite thing is to explore the city and even sometimes the wider Washington area. This state is so diverse and unlike anything else I’ve experienced back home. During my time here, I saw snow for the first time, I went skiing, hiking, explored the Waterfront and the greater Seattle area through the metro system, been to college football and college basketball games, and so much more! I hope to get in a few more experiences before I graduate!