Tracy N.

Dr. Tracy Nguyen’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering passion for empowering women in STEM. Born in Vietnam, she and her family became refugees in 1975, overcoming immense challenges to rebuild their lives. With a deep love for learning and a drive to make a difference, she earned her B.S. in Biology from UC San Diego and a Doctor of Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO). Her advocacy for STEM began when her daughter joined SWENext in sixth grade, igniting a mission to expand opportunities for young women in engineering and computer science. Seeing firsthand the power of mentorship, Dr. Nguyen became a fierce advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. As FY24 and FY25 Vice President of SWE San Diego, she plays a pivotal role in advancing community, access, and opportunity for underrepresented students and professionals in STEM. Beyond her leadership in SWE, Dr. Nguyen is a dedicated mentor and informal educator, guiding students through FIRST Robotics, SWENext Clubs, and Girl Scouts, with a focus on empowering those from underserved communities. Her commitment to broadening participation, sustaining impact, and demonstrating leadership has earned her the prestigious NCWIT AiC National Educator Award, recognizing her efforts to increase access to computing and technology for BIPOC and marginalized gender students. In addition to her leadership within SWE, Dr. Nguyen actively serves on advisory boards and committees that drive initiatives to expand equity and access for marginalized communities. Her outstanding contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the NCWIT AiC National Educator Award 2025, SWE Spark and Engaged Advocate Awards, WE24 DEI&B Individual Recognition, and recognition as one of the San Diego Business Journal’s Top 50 Women of Influence in Engineering for three consecutive years (2022–2024). Most recently, she was also honored as one of the 2025 Non-Profit Board Leaders of Influence. Yet, for Dr. Nguyen, the most meaningful achievement lies not in the awards, but in the countless young women she has mentored—empowering them to break barriers and lead boldly in STEM, creating a legacy grounded in inclusion, innovation, and lasting impact.