The future may be fueled by technology, but Yen Tran ’14 says he will never stop believing in the power of a liberal arts education. An ethnic studies concentrator, Tran took a range of courses outside of his academic focus that expanded his views and fostered a love of learning.
Today, he works in finance and consulting, but he credits the liberal arts spirit that fuels Brown’s Open Curriculum for teaching him how to think critically.
“I believe more than ever that the skills that we cultivate in students through the liberal arts will be essential assets for them to successfully create impact in the world,” said Tran. “Brown changed my life, so it was important for me to volunteer and continue to support this community that has given me so much.”
Since graduating, Tran, a 2024 recipient of the Young Alumni Service Award, has served in multiple volunteer roles, including as a mentor on the Brown Center for Students of Color Advisory Board, class leader, alumni interview program leader, and former president of the Asian/Asian American Alumni Alliance (A4), where he currently serves as a representative-at-large.
In this interview, he shares how Brown’s distinctive approach to undergraduate education has inspired his volunteer efforts.
