Alumni Spotlight
Park enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves via a Military Accessions Vital to National Interest enlistment program which helped her earn her U.S. citizenship.
Alumna Served as Honorary Captain at Super Bowl LVII
By Melissa Serrato
Fullerton College alumna HyeJung Park ’13 never once imagined that the challenges she faced after graduating high school as an undocumented student and pursuing higher education would lead her to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step onto the field at Super Bowl LVII as an honorary captain. Park was one of four Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF) Scholars selected to serve as the honorary coin toss captains at the opening of the 2023 game.
The Pat Tillman Foundation recognized Park with three other scholars for making an impact in their respective industries and representing the enduring legacy of service Tillman left behind. The CBS Morning Show aired the moment when all four scholars joined a surprise Zoom call with National Football League star J.J. Watt for the big announcement, and Park was interviewed locally on NBC 4 Los Angeles following the Super Bowl.
“It’s all so surreal,” Park said about the opportunity to participate in the Super Bowl and represent Tillman’s legacy.
Park enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves via a Military Accessions Vital to National Interest enlistment program which helped her earn her U.S. citizenship. She completed her Ph.D. in Psychology after earning two Fullerton College associate degrees – one in science and one in mathematics; two bachelor’s degrees – one in psychology and social behavior and one in education sciences, and a Master of Arts in Psychology.
Alumna HyeJung Park was an honorary coin toss captain at the opening of the 2023 Super Bowl.
Alumna HyeJung Park was an honorary coin toss captain at the opening of the 2023 Super Bowl.
Park shared that all of her achievements do not go without recognition and gratitude for the preparation and support she received while attending Fullerton College.
“Fullerton College was very influential in my decisions to pursue a doctorate and shaped my interests in bridging the gap between research and public policy,” she said.
While Park was enrolled as an undocumented student at Fullerton College between 2011-2013, she said she made the best use of her time by getting involved in student leadership, becoming a member and president of Alpha Gamma Sigma, and joining the Honors Program.
“I couldn’t have done anything without the knowledge and support I received from so many professors, counselors, and mentors at Fullerton College. Professors like Jodi Balma, who is so engaged with the students and really taught me how to advocate for change and gave me the skills needed to prepare for success.”
“HyeJung was an outstanding student and an even better human,” said Jodi Balma, professor of political science. “Her leadership and collaborative style were instrumental in increasing membership in AGS and as student senator in Associated Students. She spent countless hours on service and community projects.”
While attending Fullerton College, she witnessed community members and students come together in support of undocumented students to advocate for AB130 and AB131, legislations that would grant AB540 students the opportunity to receive private and state financial support.
Park graduated in 2013 from Fullerton College.
Now a doctoral graduate of psychology from Arizona State University, Park aspires to be a collaborator/developer of empirically-supported legislation to promote resilient development for at-risk and marginalized youth. She hopes to be an effective liaison between the developmental research community and Congress, to inform public policy development, implementation, and evaluation.