Born in Vietnam to an Italian American father and a Vietnamese Chinese mother, Tuan's family was always on the move. Tuan and his father eventually moved back to the US, and his father finally decided to retire in the Last Frontier. Although Tuan didn't stay in any one location during his childhood years long enough to count as his hometown, he can safely say that his time spent in Alaska has cemented it as his home.
Tuan recently graduated from the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA) with a Bachelor's of Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics and had the honor of being selected as the undergraduate commencement speaker. He served in the student government in various positions, including student body president, and as the Secretary-General of UAA's Model United Nations of Alaska from 2019-2022. In his spare time, Tuan has found great passion in giving back to the community through his volunteer work in youth advocacy, mental health, and voting rights with various Anchorage organizations. He has attended and presented at various conferences across the country and internationally, including in Ireland and Sweden, on meaningful youth engagement, participation, and empowerment. His efforts have led him to receive three Presidential Volunteer Service Awards as well as various UAA community awards.
In the last few years, Tuan has taken the time to immerse himself in outdoor activities and the Alaskan lifestyle. He has fished for reds in the Kenai, hauled in halibut off Seldovia, and hiked on the endless number of trails around Southcentral Alaska. He has also learned to downhill ski and mountain bike. While those activities don't seem to love him, as evidenced by the several injuries and broken bones he has received, he certainly does love them. Joining the ACLU of Alaska is a new chapter for Tuan, and he is beyond excited and enthusiastic to work for causes, values, and an organization he personally believes in.