Kay Saechao

Hometown: Redding, Calif.

Major: Economics. Class of 2006.

Background: Parents migrated to Thailand from Laos as refugees in the 1980s and found a place to call home in the United States. Involved in the Mien community and Asian American clubs in high school. Received the Gates Millennium Scholarship. Member of Asian American-interests sorority Alpha Kappa Delta Phi at Sacramento State.

Influences: “My teachers have influenced me. I really enjoy my economics professors. They’re very smart and also have a great sense of humor. Also the friends I have made and the people who have moved here from Redding. My sorority sisters are all very different and driven to succeed whether it is in school or in other things.”

Highlight: “Diversity. I love being in a sorority because they have introduced me to so many different things and cultures.”

Proudest accomplishment: “It would have to be the getting the Gates Millennium Scholarship. Without the scholarship it would definitely have been more complicated. I would have had to worry about finances. I’ve had friends that were not as fortunate as I was and it has been a lot harder for them to stay in school.”

Destination: “After I graduate I definitely want to go back and get my master’s degree and if I’m still dedicated to school I really want to go back and get my Ph.D. I would like to do administrative work and really help out the community. I want to go back to Redding and help my parents out because they have definitely supported me at my time here.”