KSEA is very pleased to announce that Next Generation Awards recipients. There are six categories for NG awards: visionary, inclusivity, sustainability, impact, outreach, and neo.
Visionary recognizes those that contribute to our future, including through innovation, imagination, vision, initiative, and planning.
Dennis Yun Tae Cha, for his work with the YG Committee. He created a number of initiatives, that have impacted YG strategy, branding, YG chapters, and the development of YG leaders.
Inclusivity recognizes those who have contributed to our community and culture in a way that affirms, shapes, and embraces diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion.
Clara Kim for her active work across a number of areas in KSEA, including social media, DEI, YG National Board, YG Committee and KSEA task forces. She has played a critical role in shaping how KSEA treats and embraces members from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. She has brought in both new members and lesser involved members in to the core community of KSEA, including non-KSEA, undergraduates, and alumni.
Matthew Jeon is an emerging leader who has worked in the DEI committee, as a student chapter president at USC, and as a leader in the YG National Board. He is exceptional in his ability to lead and voice the opinions of the minority, and push for the growth of KSEA in its diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, with emphasis on those of the undergraduates, and the youngest members of KSEA.
Sustainability recognizes those that anchor the growth and longevity of our community, including through mentorship, people development, culture, and support.
Jonathan Kim for his long-time involvement as a leader in KSEA, and for playing pivotal roles in Ygnite, FIRE, Publications, and YG Committee. His solid execution of his roles also made space for sustainability, through mentoring and nurturing the next generation of organizers. He also took on a number of initiatives that promote sustainability, through the YG database, YG newsletter, LinkTree, YG hangouts, and MeetKSEA Discord.
Eugene Yoon for his work as an advisor, mentor, and colleague to the USC student chapter, and the YG national board. His long-time involvement in student chapters, from his time at Johns Hopkins, his time as a graduate student at USC, and now as an alumnus supporting student groups, has made a substantial impact, and many USC YG leaders have been recognized through the Group of the Year, or have grown to serve in the national level.
Impact recognizes those that have made a significant contribution to our community through their leadership
Kevin Kim for his work as a director and VP in the NY Metro Chapter. He led a number of activities with huge impact, including Young Scientists Night, an annual event for the YG/YPs in the NY Chapter, monthly happy hours, and spring picnics. He worked to maintain connections in the community during COVID through organizing virtual happy hours, and hiking trips. In addition, he has worked nationally as a UKC YG/PF organizer, and as the emcee of the 2019 gala.
Outreach recognizes those that have helped bridge the communities and sub-communities inside and outside of KSEA, such as intergenerational, intercultural, inter discipline, or with other organizations.
TJ Park for his years of efforts in building the YG communities. He welcome newcomers to the national KSEA events, and genuinely cares for others and their experience at the events. Outside of KSEA events, proactively organizes the community through destination trips, and being a heartwarming host in welcoming visitors to Boston. At a YGF in Korea, he provided translation services for the entire program to those that were not fluent in Korean. In addition, he has served as a UKC YG/PF and FIRE organizer, and as a Ygnite organizer.
Hwiho Kim for her contributions to KSEA social media, Texas A&M YG, and as YG National Board Director. She co-managed the social media internship, creating strategic content to increase audience engagement. She led the growth of the Texas A&M chapter using social media strategies, and through targeted events such as study breaks and professional career development sessions.
Neo recognizes those who are supporting the rising generation, which can include emerging leaders as well as those supporting through development of the rising generation.
Andy Kim for his work with the YG Committee and YG National Board. In Andy’s leadership of the National Board, he increased engagement with the YG Group leaders, through strong personal relationships, and by helping to represent the undergraduate voice at national meetings, and at the YG Committee. He helped develop the YG Regional Summit Program to its present day format, and create a check-in meeting program for the YG Groups.
Jung Min (Luca) Kim for his work as the Central Virginia chapter president and leadership of the Youth Science and Technology Leadership Camp (YSTLC). In YSTLC he will be bringing the world of research to 8th-12th grade students and organizing visits to NIH and Johns Hopkins. In addition, he mentors students and has promoted Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion (DEBI).
Reported by NG Awards Selection Committee
John Lee (Chair), Stella Chun, and Byungkyu Brian Park
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