Master of International Business alumna selected for UF Hall of Fame

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Master of International Business alumna Nicolette Duong was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame this spring.

Since 1921, the UF Hall of Fame has recognized seniors and graduate students who have consistently demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving the University of Florida through campus and community involvement, participation in organized campus activities and scholastic achievement. It is one of the most prestigious honors awarded to students by the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Florida.

“My ultimate goal is to enter the healthcare system and collaborate with governmental organizations in Peru and the U.S. to provide accessible clinics in rural communities,” Duong said. “After graduation, I will take steps towards accomplishing this goal by starting at Northwell Health as a Healthcare Administrative Fellow.”

Duong (BS Microbiology and Cell Science ‘17, MIB ’18) was heavily involved during her time at the University of Florida, including as a research assistant at Warrington and the UF Diabetes Institution, a volunteer at UF Health Shands Hospital and University President of the Boys & Girls Club of Alachua County. She has received several awards in addition to being inducted into the UF Hall of Fame, including the Presidential Service Award, named a Newman Civic Fellow and received grants from the Kathryn Davis Projects for Peace and Bob Graham Center for Leadership and Service. Duong was also an undergraduate and graduate teaching assistant for over 1,200 students across the courses Principles of Microbiology, Probiotics for Microbiology, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Business in Asia, Global Strategic Management and Organizational Behavior.

“Even as an alumnus, UF continually provides me mentors that develop my character and care about me as a person,” she said. “Following in the footsteps of my role models, I aim to impact each student in my field by understanding their perspective, being approachable and incorporating practical examples.”

Duong also is the co-founder of C&N Consultants Inc., a non-profit company designed to tailor health interventions for underprivileged communities. The company currently has three projects in design, two projects in implementation and over $12,000 in grant funded community initiatives. PitchSafe is one such initiative which has taught children, parents, and coaches about the symptoms of concussion and baseball safety. Through her work with C&N, she has translated imagination into action, built lasting partnerships with future leaders, and empowered communities in the U.S. and Peru to live safe and healthy lives.

Duong is particularly proud of the work C&N Consultants has done under Project Picol, which utilized the unique skills and backgrounds of UF students and Peruvian families to construct twenty-one adobe houses, provide horticultural education, evaluate community health, and establish economical partnerships to purchase and sell livestock. A grant from UF’s Projects for Peace has given a rural community in Picol, Peru a chance to sustain themselves.

“Project Picol integrates my heritage with my career ambitions to enter healthcare administration,” she said.

Read more about the work Duong did for Project Picol in the Warrington Newsroom.