Alumni Spotlight: A Story of Growth and Giving Back
My name is Kevin Tran. I was born and raised in East San José, California. I began my journey at KIPP Heartwood Academy in fifth grade and then attended KIPP San José Collegiate for high school, graduating in 2015. My family, originally from Vietnam, emphasized the importance of education, instilling in me a drive to succeed academically.
KIPP played a pivotal role in shaping my academic and personal growth with a rigorous curriculum and supportive teachers who helped me realize my potential. My transition from struggling in elementary school to achieving academic excellence was a turning point in my life. My first trimester at KIPP San José Collegiate, I got summa cum laude on honor roll. I got all A’s and my parents were super proud and I was super happy too. I did not think I had that in me; the KIPP curriculum really got me there, helping develop an intrinsic motivation for myself.
The transition from high school to college presented its challenges, where I faced a highly competitive academic environment. I initially struggled with calculus courses but maintained a growth mindset, tapping into the study skills I learned at KIPP of persistence and determination.
At a recent event, I had the opportunity to speak to an audience of KIPP alumni, families, staff and supporters about my experience as a student, in conversation with KIPP Foundation CEO Shavar Jeffries. While discussing KIPP’s strategies to prepare students for college, I told Shavar that in high school, I had a lot of access to AP classes. I took three my senior year, which looking back, was a lot of work. But I’m so glad I did it. It was challenging, but it taught me to be analytical and learn to think through solutions; everything I learned was super relevant to my major. I felt like I had a bit of a leg up when I got to college.
While at college, I gained an internship at Accenture, a global consulting and technology services firm. I enjoyed my internship so much that I decided to pursue a full-time job at Accenture after graduating from UCSC. I began as a senior analyst and subsequently became a consultant, providing professional services to clients in various industries, helping them solve problems through technology solutions.
I’m a big believer in bold. It was my KIPP teachers who first helped me step outside of my comfort zone and be more bold, whether it was signing up for another AP class or pursuing summer programs.
Despite my demanding career, I remain connected to my KIPP roots. I’ve been an internship coordinator for Accenture’s Skills to Succeed program since 2021 in order to give back to the community that supported me. I help facilitate opportunities for other KIPP students through the program at Accenture, helping the next generation of KIPP students find the same success in their careers that I have found.
