Valedictorian: Gina Tan
Rockefeller College outstanding students Michael Allain, Katie Gowing, Gina Tan, and Max Sevor all finished their undergraduate careers with a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning valedictorian status. Learn more about Gina’s accomplishments and what’s next.
Name: Gina Tan
Hometown: Hancock, N.Y.
Major: Political Science
Minor: Public Policy
Awards: University at Albany Spellman Academic Achievement Award (2018, 2019, 2020), University at Albany Spellman Top Academic Achievement Award (2019), President’s Award for Leadership- Outstanding Senior Award (2020), Dean’s List of Distinguished Students
What activities were you involved in during your time at UAlbany and Rockefeller College?
During my time at UAlbany, I have participated in many activities. Some of my academic involvements include being enrolled in the Honors College and the Political Science Departmental Honors Program. I am also involved with UAlbany Mock Trial, Club Field Hockey, the Minority Pre-Law Student Association, the Honors College Event Planning Committee, Presidential Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society, and the Albany Student Press. In addition to these activities, I was a teaching assistant for the Dean of the Honors College, and am enrolled in the BA/MPA program with Rockefeller College. Throughout the course of my studies, I have also been given the opportunity to participate in several competitive programs, including a full time internship with the New York State Senate in Spring 2019, and a participant in the selective Semester in Washington Program in Spring 2020 where I interned with the United States Attorney’s Office of D.C.
What were some highlight experiences of your undergraduate career?
Some highlight experiences of my undergraduate career are my involvement in Mock Trial and Club Field Hockey. I joined these clubs during my freshman year at UAlbany not knowing how much I would love being a part of them. Mock Trial has been one of my favorite and most rewarding aspects of college, and I am so grateful for everything that I have learned as a member of the club. I have met some of my closest friends through mock trial, and I will cherish all our memories of spending hours preparing cases, traveling to and competing at an invitational and having game nights after long days of practice. As a member of the Club Field Hockey team, I was able to continue playing a sport that I love and meet great people in the process. From starting out as just a member, I became the president of the club and was able to expand our team and our connections with other teams across NYS. I love my mock trial and field hockey families, and I would not trade in these experiences for anything. I am truly grateful to have participated in these clubs.
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
The accomplishments that I am most proud of are competing at the Opening Round Championship Series Tournament with my Mock Trial team and serving as the tournament director of UAlbany’s first Mock Trial Invitational this past year. When I first joined Mock Trial, I had no idea what I was doing, but I quickly earned a spot on the competitive team. During my second year at UAlbany, our team competed at the regional tournament, and we earned a bid to compete in ORCs for the first time. This was a huge accomplishment for us as a team, and I could not be prouder of us for gaining the opportunity to compete at such a highly competitive tournament. This past year, UAlbany hosted its first ever Mock Trial Invitational, in collaboration with Albany Law School and the College of St. Rose. As a co-tournament director, I planned and hosted the tournament to accommodate 14 competing teams, which required immense preparation and coordination with many people. This was an exceptionally challenging task to undertake, and I’m so grateful that I was entrusted with making it happen. The tournament was a success and I hope that our Mock Trial team continues to grow so that other students can experience all it has to offer.
What is next for you after graduation?
Upon graduation in May of 2020, I plan on continuing my education in the MPA program at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy. Upon completion of my master’s, I intend on going to law school to get my J.D. In the future, I aspire to work as an attorney in the health field or as a trial attorney.