Serena Do grew up in a single-parent household in East Los Angeles. Serena’s mother, a refugee from the Khmer Rouge, worked two jobs to make ends meet in a community plagued by gang violence. She urged her daughter to pursue education as the means to a better life.

A first-generation college student, Serena completed her bachelor’s degree at California State University, Long Beach with a double major in political science and international studies. She is now working on her master’s degree in public policy and administration and her certificate in public finance management, and has a 4.0 GPA. Serena is involved in the speech and debate team, Political Round Table forum, and various campus organizations and national honor societies. During her free time, Serena volunteers at the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, coaches a local high school speech and debate team, and tutors students.

Wanting to diminish community violence, Serena plans to focus on improving the quality of life and basic healthcare for those in need by obtaining a PhD in public health and working for the World Health Organization.