When Vince Da walked across the stage at the University of Washington’s 2025 commencement, he did so not only as a graduate of the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program, but as the elected Gonfaloniere for the Graduate School—an honor bestowed on a student whose achievements represent the very best of what a Husky graduate can be.
It’s a fitting distinction for someone who has spent the last two years maximizing every opportunity UW has to offer, while remaining rooted in a deep sense of service, identity, and purpose.
Vince’s path to graduate education began at UW Tacoma, where he served as student body president while earning his undergraduate degree in Healthcare Leadership. Vince found his place in a campus community where more than half of the student body identifies as first-generation college students.
“UW Tacoma was special to me,” Vince says. “Being in that community helped me feel seen and supported. It shaped who I am and helped me build the foundational habits I needed to succeed—balancing school, work, and service, and learning how to advocate for myself and others.”
Entering the workforce
Those lessons followed Vince into the workforce, where he supported COVID-19 vaccination efforts as a program assistant at MultiCare’s Center for Health Equity & Wellness, helping to organize free clinics in schools and community centers across Pierce and South King Counties. It was during this time that he met Ben Chao, a UW MHA alumnus from the Class of 2017, who introduced him to the degree and the career pathways it could open.
“Being a first-gen student, I didn’t know what an MHA degree was,” Vince says. “But Ben shared how it shaped his career and even connected me with the admissions team. His mentorship, and the strength of the alumni network, really inspired me to apply.”
Going all in and becoming a Fulbright Research Scholar
Once enrolled in the MHA program, Vince set an ambitious intention: to fully immerse himself in campus life and professional development—a promise he made to himself after losing the in-person community of the final two years of his undergraduate experience to the pandemic.
“I was very intentional,” he says. “Grad school was my chance to go all in.” -Vince Da
That commitment has resulted in a remarkable array of recognitions. Vince was named one of the 2025 Husky 100, awarded the Department of Health Systems and Population Health’s Outstanding Master’s Student Award, and earned national recognition as part of the second-place team at the prestigious Cornell Sloan Case Competition. Along with collaborator Tanmay Soni Khilnani, Vince received second place overall at Trinity University’s PRISm competition for Sereni-Tree, a digital health platform designed to make nature therapy accessible through technology. He also received the Health Systems Excellence, Equity, and Distinction (HSEED) Award during his first year in the MHA program and was selected as a 2025–26 Fulbright Research Scholar—a rare honor for a professional graduate student.
Through the Fulbright Program, Vince will travel to the Philippines to research the migration of Filipino nurses to the United States healthcare workforce. Hosted by the University of the Philippines Manila, in partnership with the School of Nursing, his research will combine interviews, fieldwork, and ethnographic observation to examine the personal and systemic factors driving this global workforce trend.
“My Filipino heritage plays a big part in why this matters to me,” Vince says. “The Philippines is the world’s leading exporter of nursing talent. Filipino nurses are known for their resilience and dedication, but their stories often go unheard. I want to uplift their voices and advocate for more sustainable systems that support them.”
Whether supporting equity-focused vaccination campaigns, analyzing health systems as a case competition finalist, or spotlighting global workforce challenges through research, Vince’s approach to leadership is characterized by humility, gratitude, and an unwavering work ethic.
“I’ve definitely had moments where I thought, ‘I don’t have the bandwidth,’” he says. “But the people I’ve met through the MHA program, especially in spaces like the Graduate Student Equity & Excellence Advisory Board and the First-Gen Student Advisory Board, kept me motivated. Many of the awards I received were because peers nominated me—sometimes for things I hadn’t even considered.”
Building relationships
As impressive as his résumé may be, Vince is quick to point out that the most meaningful part of his time in the MHA program has been the relationships.
“Some of the best moments happened between classes, during lunch, or at social events—just talking about healthcare and current events with peers, faculty, or alumni,” he says. “I’ve built lasting friendships with people I deeply respect and who will go on to be incredible healthcare leaders.”
Looking ahead, Vince plans to pursue a postgraduate administrative fellowship after completing his Fulbright research, with a focus on operations, strategy, or health policy. No matter where his career takes him, it’s clear that his leadership will continue to be grounded in service, equity, and authentic connection.
For incoming students, Vince offers this advice:
“Look beyond your program. Explore the full spectrum of resources UW has to offer. Get involved in communities that push you to grow, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or take up space. These two years go by fast—make them count.”
In every way, Vince Da has done just that. His story stands as a model for what is possible when passion meets purpose—and when a student commits fully to the transformative experience of graduate education.