Before attending UCI, Ms. Lai had the opportunity to study abroad in Beijing, China where she attended the Simplified Chinese language program and was able to strengthen her Mandarin speaking and writing abilities. After ten weeks of intensive studies, Ms. Lai had a stronger understanding of the contrasting culture that resided in China. With a newly found passion for diversity and culture, she returned to the United States just in time to start her university education.

      Upon entering the school, Ms. Lai realized the height of her potential and decided to “follow the road less traveled” so she declined the track and field recruitment offer. Ms. Lai had always had an underlying passion for business, as her family was always  business-oriented, so she decided to focus her studies in that area. While focusing on school, Ms. Lai held leadership positions that changed her life and attitude. As a freshman, Ms. Lai was an active participant in the Mesa Court Council, where the organization focused on advocacy and community development for the freshmen housing complex. She also had the privilege of becoming an orientation leader, or “staffer” for the Student Parent Orientation Program (SPOP). As a “staffer”, Ms. Lai worked closely with other staffers to build a strong orientation program for incoming students and their parents. Her purpose in this position was to introduce the school and to spread school passion and spirit to the newcomers. It was through these two organizations that Ms. Lai was able to find her passion in communication and leadership. She wanted to pursue more. During her sophomore year, Ms. Lai was selected to join R.E.A.C.H. (Reaffirming Ethnic Awareness and Community Harmony), an organization and year-long course that promotes awareness of diversity and social injustice issues. Through this organization, Ms. Lai utilized her love for diversity and culture to promote and educate the public about equal rights and is now an active peer-facilitator for the organization. Ms. Lai loved being involved in school, but she decided that her involvements were not enough. She wanted to be a part of something better; something lasting.

      Delta Sigma Pi became Ms. Lai's next passion. She fell in love with the organization and its ideals upon the first event during recruitment. Ms. Lai pledged during Winter 2009 and was initiated in March. Since her initiation, Ms. Lai has been actively involved with the fraternity. She attended Provincial LEAD in Tucson Arizona as a pledge, Grand Chapter Congress in Washington, D.C., and LEAD School in Newport Beach. She plans to attend Provincial LEAD in Chicago, Illinois and in El Paso, Texas this quarter. Outside of her travels within the fraternity, Ms. Lai has been active within the Pi Sigma chapter. As a newly initiated brother, Ms. Lai took the initiative to become the Director of Public Relations. She has held this position since March of 2009. In June of 2009, Ms. Lai was elected to become the chapter's Vice President – Community Service (VPCS). As VPCS, Ms. Lai set a goal for the chapter – to win the National Outstanding Community Service For A Chapter Award, with the hopes to give the chapter something to be proud of and something to unite all of the members. After her term as VPCS, Ms. Lai was elected to become the chapter's Vice President-Chapter Operations (VPCO). She will be holding the position until June 2010. In addition to her positions, Ms. Lai is also on the Professional Activities committee and the Community Service committee where she utilizes her passion for the fraternity to initiate positive improvement and development these subject areas, as well as the fraternity as a whole. She is seeking to gain more experiences and development by holding more positions in the future, and by attending fraternity conferences.

      Ms. Lai has a reputation for being passionate and spirited. Her passion for the fraternity roots from the benefits that she has received. She truly believes that the experiences she has gained from holding positions and working with brothers to achieve goals has allowed her to develop her communication skills, speaking skills, leadership skills, and management skills. She has been able to utilize these skills outside of the chapter, and has been able to succeed in her non-fraternity activities. In addition, she has received internship opportunities from networking with brothers. In fact, Ms. Lai had the privilege of being the representative speaker for the March of Dimes organization at the Phi Beta Lambda conference where she gave a speech in front of 7,000 people. With all that she has gained, Ms. Lai hopes to share her successes with anyone that she can.

      Outside of Pi Sigma, Ms. Lai is a resident advisor for Mesa Court in the hall, Niebla where she advises 80 residents, plans programs, and maintains the safety and community of the residents. She is also a peer facilitator and a returnee for R.E.A.C.H. She plans to become more involved on campus by working with ASUCI.

      After the ultimate college experience, Ms. Lai would like to work in the public relations field. She found her calling in this industry when she became an intern for Newport Beach Breakers, a professional tennis team of the WTT League and when she was selected to speak in front of 7,000 members of the Phi Beta Lambda organization on behalf of the March of Dimes organization.

      Ms. Lai's goal is to work for two years after college graduation, and then pursue graduate studies at the University of Southern California in the Strategic Public Relations program. Her ultimate career goal is to start her own PR firm with an emphasis in event planning and branding. After years of work, Ms. Lai plans to travel to third world countries, especially within Sub-Saharan Africa to reach out to the impoverished communities there. She would like to decrease the prevalence of Malaria within these countries by providing preventative vaccines to the people there. Ms. Lai has always and will always have a passion for helping people.