Jalen Bounthong: Flair for Leadership

Senior Jalen Bounthong sums up his college experience as an “ambitious” one. Transforming from a shy freshman to a confident senior, his flair for leadership helped build his character the past four years.

“I was an introvert in high school, and had a fear of public speaking,” said Bounthong. Growing up near Tacoma, he attended Fife High School. After graduating in 2018, Bounthong entered the Summer Bridge program through UW Tacoma. A limited number of students are selected, and once accepted into the program students have the chance to earn college credit and learn about the resources offered at the campus. “It’s a great way to get a head start for college,” said Bounthong. “It’s a rigorous summer course that helps you transfer from high school into college. You learn about classroom etiquette, do peer reviews, and learn how to write college-level papers.”

The program also helped him conquer a challenge. “I learned how to get over my fear of presenting in front of everyone,” he said. “It really gave me an advantage, and I was prepared when I started school.” Bounthong became a peer in the program after his first year at UW Tacoma. “At first, I was a mentee coming in, then I became a peer for two summers and helped other students navigate the program,” he said.

Bounthong chose to major in business administration with a concentration in management. “My aunt encouraged me to find a specific area in business, and I realized management appealed to me after I took some business courses,” he said. Bounthong also believes organizations need great leaders. “I’m really a people person, and wouldn’t necessarily say I am a great leader, but I aspire to become one,” he said.

Bounthong decided to minor in data analytics. The combination of courses for both his major and minor have helped him grow. “Among my favorite courses were those on leadership and managing work teams,” he said. “I did a lot of collaboration in my team course, and learned to work with others in a group setting which isn’t always easy. In my leadership course, I learned in-depth skills pertaining to leadership and it helped me become more outgoing.”

A first-generation American, Bounthong credits his parents for supporting him throughout his educational career. “They instilled values and a strong-work ethic in our family,” he said. Bounthong also has a younger brother who is currently a freshman at UW Tacoma, and two younger sisters in elementary school. As the oldest, he is setting the bar high for his younger siblings by being the first to graduate from college. Being of Cambodian and Laotian heritage, both of his parents emigrated to the United States, and are strong advocates for education.

Bounthong’s decision to attend UW Tacoma stems from its close proximity to Fife, and the community-oriented environment of the school. He originally planned to attend Tacoma Community College, but his dad encouraged him otherwise, “My dad really pushed me,” he said. “I really like it here, and it’s a great niche inclusive community. I love the atmosphere, and I feel at home.”

When Bounthong isn’t studying for classes, he is busy balancing two part-time jobs, one as a sales associate at H&M at the Tacoma Mall, and the other as a student resource specialist with the Milgard School of Business Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council. “As a student resource specialist, my job has been to answer emails, and help create posters for school events,” he said. “We also hold council meetings, and talk strategically about how we can better incorporate diversity and inclusion into the student body.”

Bounthong is also grateful for the people he’s been able to meet during his college experience. “I didn’t have a ton of friends in high school, but I’ve been able to meet so many people here,” he said. “My colleagues and I share the same values as we are taking the same courses and striving to become successful. Finding people who think similarly to you is great, because you can help encourage each other in reaching your goals.”

Bounthong’s take on the last four years? “For me, college was a place of opportunity where I could give myself a fighting chance in the real world,” he said. “As a Southeast Asian, I wanted to break away from the aggregated data and the stereotype of all Asians being self-made and successful. In fact, I received a lot of help from my family, academic advisors, and peers. In the last four years, I mastered research and writing, learned work life balance, used stress as a form of motivation, became extroverted when need be, and met my first love, who also attends UW Tacoma.”