Meet Nicholas Chin ’22

What does the Juneteenth Scholarship mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship meant a great deal to me as Juneteenth is celebrated to remember the perseverance and triumph exhibited by those slaves in Texas, and while I cannot even begin to imagine the horrors of slavery, the story of persistence reminds me of my life story. My mother and father both immigrated to this country from Trinidad and Tobago with little money or material possessions. My mom raised me with the understanding that education was the key to my success, and spared no expense to make sure her son was the best equipped to supersede expectations. She understood, even as an Chinese-Trinidadian woman, that she was raising a black man in America and that I had to be the best just to compare to my white counterparts. It is through my faith and their support I’ve made it here, and the story of Juneteenth has always resonated with me as one that embodies that premise. 

What are your goals for the future?

Ever since the election of President Obama I have become enthralled with politics, and the role political institutions have in shaping public policy and improving people’s lives. Hence, throughout my middle school and high school years I have always found ways to be civically and politically involved. During my first year of high school, I landed an internship with NYS Assemblyman Michael Cusick that would change my life. 

Throughout my four years of work with the Assemblyman, I learned a lot about state government, but also about the University at Albany. He told me about the great internship program offered in Albany, and many of his staffers explained how UAlbany was the school to be for political science. Since then, I turned my attention away from George Washington University, and decided to become a Great Dane. It was the best decision I ever made!

Since arriving on this campus, I have accomplished a lot from becoming a RA, tour guide, orientation leader, and Purple and Gold Ambassador, but what I am most proud of is my role in the Student Association. I have had the honor to serve as an Indian Quad Senator my first year, and then in my sophomore year I was elected the Senate Chairman. When this happened, I became the youngest Chairman ever to serve and the first person of color to serve in over 10 years. This is a position I cherished so much that I decided to run again my senior year and was re-elected to serve a non-consecutive term as the chairperson of the legislative branch.

Given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, I did not get the opportunity to intern for Assemblyman Cusick, but I am currently finishing an in-person internship I obtained at the NYS Senate. This internship has been an amazing experience, and has got me thinking about applying to the NYS Senate Fellowship after I am done with graduate school with the hopes of gaining full employment in the senate. I, however, hope to make it to public office someday.