Tools for Success

By August 8, 2015Blog

Nakamura honored for scholarship at NAAAP Convention

Dallas, TX — Donning a fitted suit with a signature Husky purple tie, Kenton Nakamura addresses the National Association of Asian American Professional Convention attendees with gratitude on his selection for the Home Depot Careers “Tools for Success” Student Scholarship. Nakamura was chosen as one of four winning applicants across 18 states and Canada, from 15 different majors, and 21 distinct institutions.

Nakamura champions a track record of service and leadership within his community at the University of Washington. He currently serves as the chapter’s External Vice President and is employed by the Associated Students of the University of Washington as the Asian Student Commission Director. He previously served as Vice President of the United Greek Council and as an Events Services Coordinator for the Ethnic Cultural Center.

Themed “Resilience: Power of the Asian Leader,” Nakamura engaged in the NAAAP Convention to learn how AAPI students like himself can climb structural ladders in both public and private sectors of work. Per Nakamura, “I learned that resilience isn’t just about surviving under adverse conditions, but being able to incorporate pressure and thrive.”

Nakamura shared his experience working with people of diverse backgrounds to promote community building, leadership development, and social justice issues. He has a number of projects lined up this coming year that he’d like to initiate, such as hosting the University of Washington’s first-ever South East Asian graduation, organizing a student-led cross-cultural leadership development workshop, and fighting stigma against treating mental health issues in the Asian community. After college, he aims to shape health care policy in his home state of Hawai’i.

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About NAAAP
The National Association of Asian American Professionals is a non-profit organization that cultivates and empowers Asian & Pacific Islander leaders through professional development, community service, and networking. (Graphic by NAAAP.)

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