Michael Lin – Founder and Past President of Delta Sigma Pi – Rho Sigma Chapter

University of California – Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA

Who are you?

I am a second generation Taiwanese American born in Monterey Park and raised in Diamond Bar, California. I am currently a third year Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting major at the University of California, Santa Barbara. My hobbies are playing basketball and DJing. My parents immigrated to the United States about thirty years ago to pursue their educational endeavors and career goals. Throughout the course of my life I was able to experience the network of connections my parents have made in becoming successful in America. Ultimately, this encouraged myself to also connect with the culture and learn about the heritage. I will be studying abroad at the National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan in the Spring of 2011 as an exchange student. I hope to eventually be able to read and write proficiently in Chinese.

Tell us about your organization / project, your role, and its impact?

Delta Sigma Pi is a professional fraternity organized to foster the study of business in universities; to encourage scholarship, social activity and the association of students for their mutual advancement by research and practice; to promote closer affiliation between the commercial world and students of commerce, and to further a higher standard of commercial ethics and culture and the civic and commercial welfare of the community.

Once entering UCSB I was a lost college student in search for a path to succeed in life. There were numerous ups and downs during my first two years but I learned from the errors I encountered. Therefore, I eventually thought about my goals and aspirations in wanting to succeed in life and helping others with the same goal. Something I noticed that our university did not have to offer was a business program. Business makes things happen and is vital to every part of our society. The reason why I started a chapter of Delta Sigma Pi at UCSB was to promote students to network with employers, faculty members, and most of all other UCSB students. Friendship could possibly lead to partnership. Delta Sigma Pi offers endless opportunities because of the large network across the nation. Our first large event which brought in over 500 guests all over Southern California was where we invited “Johnny Cupcakes – America’s #1 Young Entrepreneur of 2008 by Businessweek.” He presented about his venture and shared his ideas to students about succeeding in the clothing industry. We partnered with numerous companies and also with our UCSB Career Services. We have seen our brothers succeed personally, professional, and fraternally. As President, I also lead eight other Vice Presidents in expanding our Sigma Beta Epsilon colony in becoming the Rho Sigma Chapter at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Where do you find your inspiration and motivation as a student leader?

My motivation in becoming a successful leader is from my father. I’ve watched him develop in becoming successful in life through managing his own practice in accounting and also founding the Sino-American Certified Public Accountants Association. He is well known in the Taiwanese and Chinese community as a renowned CPA. He is also the commissioner of Overseas Affairs for Taiwan in Los Angeles in which he was appointed by current Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jeou. Being a leader will allow other people to recognize your ability to lead an organization. In order to succeed as a leader one has to be passionate about their organization. Lead your future and be proud as a Taiwanese American.

Any additional information you would like to share?

Be proud of who you are. Represent and be heard!