AMANDA PHANIVONG

Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Amanda has lived in Wichita for a decade with her parents, Ana and Alex Phanivong, and her younger sister, Alina.

Amanda plans to utilize her scholarship to earn a Bachelor of General Studies with concentrations in business marketing, communication and women’s studies with a minor emphasis in philosophy. Amanda began her studies in the fall of 2020, close to home at Wichita State University.

Her interests in marketing and communications stem from her passion for philanthropy, as well as her personal interests in classic literature, writing and foreign languages.

She has maintained deep involvement in many extracurricular activities at her school and is a recent graduate of the 2022 class of Widener Global Leaders, a program that integrated business, communication and fine arts to help women develop personally, professionally and culturally. “As I reflect on the word ‘leadership’ and what it means to be a leader, I am instantly reminded of the incredible role models who have helped shape the person I am and will continue to develop into. This program taught me that leadership is intertwined with taking risks, expressing gratitude and choosing to see the world through an inquisitive lens.”

Amanda has also served as a No Kid Hungry youth ambassador, as part of the national No Kid Hungry campaign run by Share our Strength that aims to end childhood hunger in the U.S. “Since the campaign began, over 1 billion meals have been provided to kids in need. Words cannot begin to express how humbling and fulfilling this opportunity was. Having the opportunity to serve as an ambassador is one of my proudest accomplishments to this day and taught me that kindness goes full circle.” She was featured on the No Kid Hungry website for AAPI heritage month. Click here to read her feature story.

At Wichita State, Amanda is a member of various academic, cultural and professional organizations, such as the Widener Global Leadership Program, Asian Student Conference and the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society. She also serves as an ambassador for diversity and inclusion.

Amanda plans to continue seizing opportunities that come her way, reflecting often on the values that Timothy himself emulated. Timothy’s striking leadership ability particularly stood out to Amanda. “For Timothy, leadership was visible whether he was at work or at home with his family. He was a leader in the way he thought and perceived the world,” she said.

As an inaugural scholar, Amanda hopes to represent the foundation by encouraging other students to follow their own path, wherever it may lead them.

Amanda graduated from WSU in 2023 and is currently participating in a marketing and event planning internship with Fagron Sterile Services, a global pharmaceutical company.