Leia Fong is a graduate of El Cerrito High School who currently attends UC Davis. Leia is majoring in Community and Regional Development with a minor in Public Health.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Is there anything in particular that motivates you as you go through college and prepare yourself for a career?

A: I am the most motivated by my parents. They have been incredibly supportive throughout my first year of college, even throughout all the ups and downs. Seeing how hard they have worked for me to be in the position I am now motivates me to keep going and continue to work after my goals. I am also motivated by the fact that I want to have a successful career where I can make enough money to support myself and hopefully them as well.

Q: When did you first realize that you were college-bound?

A: I think I always just assumed I was college-bound as I was raised in a household where both parents went to college and were very supportive about the process. They pretty much assumed I would go to college after high school, and it became apparent to me once I saw my older sister go through the process during my freshman year of high school that I would too. 

Q: How has Richmond Promise played a role in your education?

A: Richmond Promise has supported my education financially and has taken some of the burden of tuition costs off of me. They have also provided a ton of resources that have been incredibly helpful throughout the years.

Q: Why did you choose to apply for RP Leads, and what are you hoping to take from the experience?

A: I chose to apply for RP Leads because I am currently having a hard time deciding what exactly it is I want to do in the future, and I was really interested in the opportunity this program would give me to figure that out. I was also very interested in the mentorship program and the fact that it lasted 3 years, which meant I would get support throughout the rest of my college journey. By the end of RP Leads, I hope to figure out and have hard goals for myself and my future career. 

Q: What do you want to contribute to Richmond and/or the world?

A: I want to contribute to Richmond and the world by being a dedicated worker in healthcare. I want to help others and make a positive difference in the world by contributing to making it a better place.

Q: How has your current college experience gone, and what has been the best part?

A: My current college experience has gone very well. I think the best part has been the freedom and independence I’ve been able to get, as well as meeting new people and making new friends.

Q: What challenges have you overcome to get to where you are today?

A: One challenge I’ve had to overcome to get where I am today was adjusting to a new school and environment this last fall. It took some time for me to become comfortable and come out of my shell, meet new people, and adjust to the workload of my classes. While it was difficult at first, I learned better time-management and organizational skills and how to become a more confident person overall. This experience has allowed me to grow and helped me become a better version of myself.

Q: What advice would you give to a first-year Richmond Promise Scholar who is just heading off to a new college or CTE program?

A: Do things that scare you! College can be a very intimidating and daunting place and it’s easy to stay in your dorm/room and be by yourself all the time, but if you give it a chance and try new things, join new clubs, or even just talk to the person sitting next to you in class, you open up your whole world to new possibilities.

Q: What are you looking forward to doing after finishing school?

A: After finishing school, I plan to travel, experience new environments, and explore different places until I figure out the best place for me to settle and start a career in healthcare.