Vinh Tien Pham (“Tien”) began his degree in Public Relations in 2020 from his home in Vietnam. That wasn’t his plan; his aim had been to attend MSVU in person. But with pandemic lock-downs in place around the world, the move had to wait. Fast forward four years and Tien’s leaving a lasting impact on the MSVU community as he graduates with his Bachelor of Public Relations (Co-op) degree this fall.
When Tien finally did arrive on campus in 2021, he quickly became involved in a number of extra-curricular activities. In May of 2023, he was elected Vice-President of Communications for the MSVU Students’ Union. Tien also served as the Student Liaison to the Board of Directors for the Nova Scotia chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society, assisted the Communication Studies Department with student recruitment initiatives, and served as the department’s Social Media and Events Coordinator for two years.
Tien’s professors have consistently been impressed by his quality and strategic work. His faculty have remarked at his extraordinary thoughtfulness. As a co-op student, Tien quickly earned the respect of each of his co-op employers. His third and final co-op employer offered him a permanent position after he’d been with them for just a few weeks. In 2024, he was named PR Co-op Student of the Year.
Tien will deliver his valedictory address during the fall 2024 convocation on Sunday, October 20 at 10 a.m. You can watch the ceremony via MSVU’s Facebook and YouTube pages. We asked Tien to tell us more about his time at MSVU and what’s next for him. Read on to learn more about Tien.
Tien Pham
Hometown: Hai Duong, Vietnam
Degree being awarded: Bachelor of Public Relations (Co-op)
Why did you choose to study at MSVU?
I chose MSVU because of its well-known Public Relations degree. The rich history of the Mount in advocating for social responsibility drew me in as well.
Who are your academic and research mentors (either at MSVU or beyond)?
Dr. Tracy Moniz & Dr. Ellen Shaffner of the Department of Communications Studies inspired me a lot during my time as a student. Dr. Moniz’s writing classes challenged me to find my voice to make my writing much stronger – which is important during the time of AI evolution. Dr. Shaffner’s strategic PR management classes helped me to envision the PR picture and gain practical skills to give PR values to the higher-ups. These skills and mindset are important – as it helps me build a strong foundation of PR for years to come.
What class, professor, project or learning activity held the most meaning for you? Why?
During my time as Vice President of Communications at the Students’ Union, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the National Conference of the Canadian Public Relations Society in Whistler, BC. Over the three-day event, I connected with many PR leaders and gained valuable insights from their experiences that helped me a lot during my time as working in the Students’ Union.
I was one of the few students in the room, surrounded by seasoned practitioners and C-suite professionals—most from Western Canada. At first, I felt a bit shy and stressed, but I reminded myself that I’d flown across the country to be there, so I decided to seize the moment. During a keynote speech, I gathered the courage to stand up and ask a question about the future of PR. I remembered my hand was shaking but the question ended up sparking a thought-provoking conversation and challenged the panelists and the room. It was a defining moment for me. Not because I asked the right question, but because I was brave to stand up, introducing myself as a Mount student to a room full of seasoned professionals. And people remembered my name after that question.
What is your favourite location on campus and why?
Shoutout to the room in the corner of the library (across from the library counter – though I can’t remember its name [editor’s note: it’s the MacDonald Room]). I lost count of how many projects I finished there during my years at MSVU. It gave me just the right balance of privacy to focus, while being surrounded by books that represent academic excellence. I felt smarter, and somehow all my procrastination disappeared in that room (haha).
Do you have any favourite stories about your time at MSVU?
Navigating Seton Academic Centre for the first time felt like being in a maze! I had planned to arrive 15 minutes early for class, but after getting completely lost, I ended up being 5 minutes late. At that time, I thought my navigation skills would improve with time, but here I am, years later, still confused and getting lost every time I go to Seton!
What do you think differentiates MSVU from other post-secondary institutions?
This might sound cliché, but it’s real. At MSVU, my professors really know me by my name due to its small class size. They know my strengths and areas that I need to improve – therefore, when I ask a question related to study or career advice, my professors can tailor the answer to help me achieve success. Also, I love how approachable the professors at MSVU are. During my four years here, I did not encounter a single moment that made me feel I couldn’t reach out to my professor.
Do you have any advice for current students or people considering going to MSVU?
I would say – define one unique identity. Something that adds a personal touch to your academic work. For example, I am proud to identify myself as a Vietnamese, and throughout my journey at MSVU I’ve reflected on that a lot. Comparing the PR practice between Canada and Vietnam, learning PR as a Vietnamese (English as a second language), etc. are some examples. And that could be a starter for an interesting conversation when you are out for co-op too.
What will you miss most about your time at MSVU?
The countless times I know I would be lost when entering Seton (haha). My actual answer is the easy access to student services – especially the International Student Centre.
If you could share just one piece of advice with your pre-Mount self, what would it be?
I would say everything will find its right place! Before joining the Mount, I remember feeling stressed about starting a new life in a different country, and then COVID added even more uncertainty. Somehow, things fell into place. My advice to my pre-Mount self is to enjoy the process and save the energy for the excitement of whatever comes next. Things have a way of working out.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment would be the moment I first sat in my dorm room. That moment marked a new chapter in my life, putting an end to the stress of navigating quarantine regulations upon entering Canada. That moment also fulfilled years of dreaming about seeing McCain, Evaristus, Seton and the whole campus with my own eyes instead of just through a computer screen. That moment that I finally talked to myself – “wow, I made it.”
What does being named valedictorian mean to you?
There are a lot of people that helped me during this journey, and being a valedictorian means that I could say thank you to them in a little bit more special way. Representing my classmates is also an honour and privilege, and I can’t wait to celebrate this success with them all!
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working as a Public Affairs Consultant at Enterprise Canada, where I completed my final co-op term. This opportunity gives me the incredible chance to work with some of the most experienced strategic communications professionals in the country, and gain exposure to a wide range of communications products across different industries. I am excited to keep learning from my amazing colleagues, and my ultimate goal is to bring the skills and knowledge I gain here in Canada back to Vietnam to make a meaningful contribution to my home country!