I Love My Community: Le Phan
Le Phan, who serves as acting dean of institutional effectiveness, equity and achievement at San Joaquin Delta College, recently sat down with HERLIFE Magazine to discuss her family, involvement in the community and dreams for the future.
HLM: What do you love most about where you and your family live?
LP: I was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and lived in Colorado before moving to Stockton. I moved away to San Diego before returning to Stockton in 2006. I have lived in Stockton for more than 30 years. What I love most about this community: the people, the diversity and the culture.
HLM: How is your heart inspired to serve the community?
LP: I truly believe in uplifting people through education, and this directly applies to my community work. I get the privilege of waking up every day and serving my community through my work at San Joaquin Delta College. When I was the outreach manager, I collaborated with others to increase opportunities for people in our community such as getting their degrees, transferring to a university, exploring new careers, and providing a living wage for their families. In my current role, I get to be a part of institutional change. That is the chance to not only uplift others but to uplift an entire community.
HLM: What sparks joy for you?
LP: The way my children play and laugh together, a good burrito, being inspired by family and friends, laughing with friends and family, educational equity, my mom’s cooking, listening to music, yoga, live performances, books, the ability to learn something new, a meaningful conversation, searching for dessert in new places, unique flavors of ice cream and observing the good work of others.
HLM: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
LP: Completing my Ph.D. Who would have thought that little Vietnamese girl growing up in Stockton would someday have Dr. before her name? I am prouder of my determination and commitment to completing the degree than the degree itself. There were many moments where I did not feel good enough, smart enough or mentally tough enough. But I built an incredible support system who believed in me. I learned to trust myself and have faith in my abilities. I continue to carry the lessons learned through this experience in my work and in giving my time to others.
HLM: What’s your free time passion?
LP: A lot of my time is dedicated to raising my daughter, seven, and son, four. I love spending quality time with the most important people in my life. Lately, I’ve enjoyed working in my yard and learning how to take care of plants.
HLM: Top three bucket list goals?
LP: Raise kind and loving human beings; learn to cook good Vietnamese food; document my family’s history.
HLM: Can you describe a key event that had an impact on your life?
LP: The decision to put roots down in Stockton. It provided me with the opportunity to give back and impact the lives of people in my own community. I wanted my children to grow up being close to their grandparents, which was priceless to me.
HLM: Do you have a favorite quote?
LP: “I change myself; I change the world.” — Gloria Anzaldúa
“I want to live the rest of my life, however long or short, with as much sweetness as I can decently manage, loving all the people I love, and doing as much as I can of the work I still have to do.” —Audre Lorde
HLM: What are you currently reading?
LP: I’m reading Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So and We Were Dreamers by Simi Liu. I’m also listening to Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous on audiobook. Every day on my drive to work and home I listen to the Daily podcast.
HLM: Favorite food or dessert?
LP: A few favorites, my mom’s banh xeo and com hen, Philz mint mojitos, kaya toast, Korean army stew, huevos rancheros, Jollibee’s mango peach pie, lobster rolls, xiaolongbaos, siu mai and cheung fun at dimsum, pandan waffles and the list goes on.
