Founded in 2007, the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of the Midwest (UVSA-Midwest) represents a vital community resource for Vietnamese-American students and youth organizations throughout the Midwest, with headquarters in Lincolnwood, IL. This non-partisan, community-based organization emerged from a vision to unite Vietnamese youth across the region, creating a supportive ecosystem where emerging leaders could connect, learn, and grow together.
At its core, UVSA-Midwest is driven by four fundamental pillars: Community, Leadership, Activism, and Philanthropy. These values are reflected in every initiative, from regional conferences to the Collective Philanthropy Project, which channels the collective power of Vietnamese student associations toward meaningful social change. The organization celebrates its geographic position in the heartland of America, where members travel significant distances—sometimes over 13 hours—to gather and support one another, embodying a deep commitment to community solidarity.
UVSA-Midwest serves as more than just a networking platform; it is a cultural guardian and advocate for the Vietnamese-American community. By providing resources for personal and professional development, organizing cultural awareness programming, and facilitating social advocacy on issues affecting Vietnamese communities, UVSA-Midwest empowers the next generation of community leaders. The organization's recent rebranding initiative, symbolized by its lotus logo, represents the organization's evolution and its commitment to providing a safe, inclusive community for Vietnamese, Vietnamese-American, and Vietnamese-interest students across the Midwest and beyond.
Lincolnwood, IL