MOST OUTSTANDING Organization NOMINEE
Vietnamese Student Organization at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (VSOUL)
What are the purpose and goal(s) of your organization, and how has it met or exceeded those goals?
The purpose of our organization is to share and celebrate Vietnamese culture through philanthropic, cultural, and social events. We achieved this by incorporating Vietnamese culture into many of our activities throughout the semester. For example, during our Lunar Night event, we showcased informative posters about Vietnamese traditions such as the meaning behind colors, traditional foods, and the significance of certain clothing during Tết. We also served Vietnamese dishes to give attendees a more immersive cultural experience. Events like this helped us fulfill our mission by both educating and engaging our community.
Address how your organization was outstanding in the following areas: recruitment, marketing, outreach to campus community, use of resources, officer training and event planning.
Our organization has stood out this year through recruitment, creative marketing, and active campus engagement. We attended multiple tabling events to grow our general body, and promoted events using platforms like Instagram and TikTok to boost visibility. We’ve collaborated with several on-campus organizations, including the local International Student Organization—hosting three joint events that celebrated Vietnamese culture—as well as other orgs to promote inclusivity and community. We effectively used campus resources by booking spaces through CampusGroups and partnering with other organizations to co-host events. Officer development was a key focus; in addition to weekly meetings, we held workshops on topics like harassment prevention, tabling strategies, and public speaking to help our team grow. Our event planning was consistent and detailed, with each event discussed in depth during meetings to make sure nothing was missed, ensuring smooth and successful execution.
How did the organization work together to maximize strengths and overcome weaknesses?
The organization worked together to maximize strengths and overcome weaknesses by maintaining open communication both in and outside of meetings. Monthly 1on1s gave board members the chance to express their thoughts on board members, allowing strengths to be empowered and weaknesses to be rooted out by the Presidents. Additionally, our senior advisors provided mid-semester evaluations where members could anonymously share feedback, creating a safe space for those who were uncomfortable speaking directly. This process helped provide a stronger and more supportive team environment.
Provide specific examples of how the student group demonstrated growth and development in the 2024-2025 academic year.
In the 2024–2025 academic year, our student group demonstrated significant growth and development through our adaptability and strengthened team work. When our External Vice President stepped down, our Internal Vice President took on both roles, showing initiative and leadership growth. Following the unexpected loss of four board members, the remaining officers stepped up to take on additional duties. For example, members outside of the programming committee helped plan and execute events, while others assisted with marketing and outreach beyond their original roles. This flexibility allowed everyone to gain new skills and insight into different aspects of the organization. The situation also fostered deeper bonds between board members, helping us grow not just professionally but personally, which ultimately made our team more cohesive and effective.