Nathan Bui, a third-year political science and urban studies double major at UC Irvine, is a 2025 recipient of the Social Sciences Moore Scholarship for Community and Social Change. The $1,000 award supports students who demonstrate the most academic promise and potential to enact change and improve the community. Below, the outstanding Anteater from Garden Grove shares his passion for public service and plans for uplifting working-class families and underrepresented voices.

What inspired you to pursue political science and urban studies, and why did you choose to study them at UCI?

Growing up in Orange County’s Little Saigon, I often found myself bridging the gap between my family and the complex systems around us. That experience sparked my interest in law, policy, and communication as tools to make institutions more accessible. UCI, as Orange County’s premier research university, has given me the chance to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences in the very community that raised me.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to graduate in Spring 2027 and continue a career in public service. Whether through political communications, legislative policy, or as a public agency attorney, I want to use my skills to ensure working-class families and underrepresented voices, like those I grew up around in Little Saigon, are not left behind in decision-making.

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment at UCI?

My proudest accomplishment has been leading student engagement during the 2024 elections as Communications Director for the EVP office. We helped register and oversee historic voter registration and turnout, making civic participation visible across campus in a way it hadn’t been before. I’ve been honored to receive the Moore Family Endowment Fund Scholarship, Dan and Jean Aldrich Scholarship, and the UCI Phi Beta Kappa Fall Book Award. I’ve also received Certificates of Recognition from Members of Congress, the California State Assembly, the County of Orange, and City Councils for my leadership in civic engagement through the Orange County Young Democrats. Additionally, I’ve earned a spot on the Dean’s Honor List every quarter at UCI.

What activities have you been involved with on and off campus? What keeps you busy and engaged?

On campus, I serve as Director of Communications for ASUCI’s Office of the External Vice President and previously worked there as a Communications Aide.

Off campus, I’m a Commissioner on the City of Garden Grove’s Administrative Board of Appeals, Director of Communications for Josh Newman’s campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction, a server at Phở 54 Vietnamese Restaurant, and a Field Study Intern with the Southern California Association of Governments.

In the past, I’ve been a Summer Intern with the State Bar of California, Director of Communications for Josh Newman’s State Senate campaign, a Congressional Intern in a U.S. Congressional District Office, and a Communications Intern with the Orange County Supervisor’s Office.

Who has played an important mentorship role in your life thus far and why? Specifically at UCI?

I’ve been shaped by the collective support of my peers and professors, who continue to challenge and inspire me. Every class discussion and challenging project has pushed me to think deeper and sharpen my perspective. Their mentorship has shown me the value of community in learning and leadership.

What life experiences have most shaped who you are today? What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?

Growing up in Little Saigon as the son of small business owners has shaped my perspective and fueled my drive to pursue public service. I’ve seen firsthand the challenges immigrant families face when navigating complex systems, which motivates me to make policy more accessible. Those experiences ground me in every space I enter and keep me focused on service.

Where can you most often be found on campus?

You’ll usually find me studying in the Thomas & Lillian Ma Garden Study Atrium. It’s a quiet space that helps me stay focused and recharge between classes. It’s become a little home base for me at UCI.

What’s your best memory thus far from your undergraduate experience at UCI?

The Anteater Involvement Fairs stand out as my favorite memories since they capture the energy and community spirit of UCI. Walking through Aldrich Park and seeing so many organizations and students come together is always a highlight. It reminds me why I chose UCI in the first place.

Any other interesting tidbits you would like to share?

I’ve been featured in newspaper articles and local news broadcasts five different times, which has been a fun way to share my work with the broader community. Outside of academics and public service, I’ve also become an avid music collector, building a growing library of R&B vinyls and CDs from my favorite artists.