Asian American Interactive Mentoring (AIM) Program
"Through the support and mentorship I received via the A³C and its programs, I not only managed to make it through Stanford in four years, but did well enough to get accepted into the top doctorate program in sociology at Cal."
YANG '08
Founded in 1993, the Asian American Interactive Mentoring (AIM) program matches Asian American sophomore students with Asian American faculty, staff and alumni for one-on-one mentoring experiences. AIM seeks to provide these students with mentors who are sensitive to cultural differences that may affect a student’s experience and success at Stanford.
AIM also seeks to provide faculty, staff and alumni with a means of interacting with undergraduates in a meaningful way.
How AIM Could Benefit You: A Letter from the AIM Coordinator
Dear Sophomores,
Congratulations on completing your first year at Stanford! Even given some unexpected circumstances and changes, I hope your first year was filled with unforgettable memories and that you’re looking forward to the new and exciting school year ahead!
My name is Ben Nguyen, and I'm from Portland, OR majoring in Economics with a Data Science minor. This will be my fourth year staffing the Asian American Activities Center (A3C), and I am excited to serve as your Asian American Interactive Mentoring (AIM) Program Coordinator!
Founded in 1993, the AIM program matches Asian American sophomore students with Asian American faculty, staff and alumni for one-on-one mentoring experiences. The program seeks to provide these students with mentors who are sensitive to cultural differences that may affect a student’s experience and success at Stanford.
When I was a sophomore, I was paired with a mentor who helped me talk through my 4-year plan and led me to my eventual pivot towards economics—a decision that I still find fulfilling and rewarding. Not only did he serve as a mentor, but he also became a career coach and personal buddy, someone who led me to my previous internships in VC and consulting, as well as someone who invited me over for meals and scheduled meetups with his 3 generations of mentees.
I’m not the only one with these experiences: for nearly 30 years, the program has helped forge strong and valuable relationships between mentors and mentees. Participating in AIM is a great way to develop a meaningful connection with a member of the Stanford and Asian American communities as well as to learn from them. I’m thrilled to work with you to build these experiences throughout your second year at Stanford.
Every mentor participating in AIM is as excited for this upcoming year as I am. They come from all types of educational and career fields and have a plethora of experiences and advice to offer you regarding any aspect of life you could think of. Not only are they great resources, but they could also be great life coaches and friends who help you develop your career and network.
Throughout the year, we will host quarterly mentor and mentee events. We will also plan small events for mentorship pairs to get together more frequently. Mentee events are also on our agenda, as we hope to connect you with your peers.
I hope you take time to consider applying to be a part of AIM. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to having you be part of the AIM family! If you have any questions or just want to say hello, please feel free to email me.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Ben Nguyen '23
AIM Program Coordinator
Interested in participating in the AIM Program? Check out our mentor and mentee applications
Questions About the Program
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact AIM Coordinator, Ben Nguyen.