Member Spotlight: Ny (Mia) Tran

Name
Ny (Mia) Tran

Position/Employer
Associate Professor, Salem State University (Starting fall 2024)

How long have you been a SIOP member?
I initially joined as a graduate student and now 15 years later am a professional member.

What roles have you had within SIOP?
Women's Inclusion Network (WIN) Chair

Why do you volunteer with SIOP?
Being a SIOP volunteer is like gaining another family. I truly enjoy working and connecting with other amazing volunteers. This experience has broadened my network and provided many opportunities to engage in some meaningful committee work that has a positive impact on SIOP and our members. I have been able to build authentic relationships with many people and develop a support system that has led to fantastic project collaborations. I strongly encourage all to volunteer, especially those early in their career and graduate students. 

Interest area(s)
Leadership, intersectionality, and negotiation for women and racial minorities.

What sparked your interest in I-O psychology?
My discovery and passion for I-O psychology should be attributed to two amazing mentors and professors, Drs. C. Douglas Johnson (Wake Forest University) and Katherine Wiegand (Spelman College). Their OB and IOP courses at my undergraduate institution played an instrumental role in my desire to pursue graduate studies in this field. Then, I got really lucky to have Dr. Kecia M. Thomas (dean of the UAB College of Arts and Sciences) as my graduate mentor who continues to inspire my work in this field.

What role do you see I-O psychology playing in the future of work?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we work. I-Os need to be in the front of this by gaining a deeper understanding by conducting more studies on how AI is used in the workplace (hiring, decision making) and the challenges with its use (fairness, bias, morale, training). Additionally, redefining the meaning of work given the emphasis on mental health, burnout, and workaholism.

Which of the Top 10 Work Trends for 2023 do you most strongly relate to, and how can I-O psychology practitioners, educators, and students impact this trend?
Trend #4: Ensuring inclusive environments. I-Os can address the misconceptions and misrepresentations of diversity, equity, and inclusion work in efforts to minimize DEI backfire.

What advice would you give to students or those early in their career?
Embrace your curiosity and give yourself grace on this life journey. Ask questions to become a better problem solver, connect authentically with people to develop a diverse network to support you for long term, take risks that will challenge you to grow, and keep a learner mindset to develop resiliency.

What is one of your favorite SIOP Annual Conference memories/highlights?
I am sure that I am not alone here about this one but reconnecting with all of your friends, colleagues, and mentors that you do not get to see until the conference. Also, the moments to make new connections at many of the receptions.

Please share one non-I-O-related bit of information about yourself.
I absolutely love traveling and learning about new cultures through their food by trying dishes that many may find taboo or bizarre.

Is there anything you would like to add?
I am interested in collaborating with others who are conducting research on negotiation for women and racial minority.

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