Intern Spotlight: Khoa Huynh

Khoa's membership certificate was presented by Dr. James Campbell, President of the Sigma Xi Hawaii State Chapter, Manoa. 

From APCSS |
by Mary Markovinovic |
08 Feb 2016

Name: Khoa Huynh

University: University of Hawaii at Manoa

Area of study: Mechanical Engineering (M.Sc.)  and Asian Studies (M.A.)

Hometown/Where you are from: Mary “Crab Cakes and Football” Land

Professional writing or activity of note: Khoa was recently elected an Associate Member in the Hawaii State chapter of Sigma Xi, the national scientific research honor society.  Sigma Xi is the oldest scientific research society in the U.S., started at Cornell University in 1886, and it boasts among its members more than 200 Nobel Laureates.  The Hawaii State chapter was started in 1947, at the University of Hawaii Manoa.  Election to membership in Sigma Xi is a recognized honor in the scientific research community, and an exceptional accomplishment for a graduate student. 

(PHOTO caption) Khoa's membership certificate was presented by Dr. James Campbell, President of the Sigma Xi Hawaii State Chapter, Manoa. 

Why did you choose APCSS for your internship? 

The APCSS Alumni network is voluminous and seemingly ubiquitous.  One of my advisors attended a course here in the 1990s, and he recommended that I get involved at APCSS to create a nexus between the teachings of my Asian Studies professors and the experiences of the security practitioners here.  Ultimately, the goal is to develop a more comprehensive understanding of Asia and the various issues related to it. 

What is the most interesting part of being an intern at APCSS? 

I only had to get coffee once!  That resulted from an atmosphere of being inclusive at APCSS.  You never feel like an intern.  Rather, you were viewed as a contributing member of the organization entitled to the same respect as others.  It’s very possible that an intern could work alongside a Lt.  Gen. and call him by his call-sign. 

How do you plan to use what you learned at APCSS in your future career? 

I would most certainly utilize, if appropriate, the center’s alumni network, which I learned was omnipresent, to help collaborate and solve future issues in the region.  While the Air Force Personnel Center writes my destiny, I truly hope to serve in Asia-Pacific in some capacity.  It is a vibrant region—as refulgent as the “bling-bling” paddle cars in Yogyakarta if not more. 

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