Lauren Phung was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She is an Honors Scholar studying Geographic Information Science and Environmental Sustainability at the University at Buffalo. Lauren is passionate about civic engagement, sustainability, and education. She aims to complete 500 volunteer hours by her graduation in June 2026.

Lauren is heavily involved with the UB Chapter of the Food Recovery Network, a student organization that tackles food waste and food insecurity. As the Director of Sustainability & Innovation, she fostered a partnership with Gameday Hospitality, the host of the Buffalo Bills tailgate parties. Additionally, Lauren has recovered over 5,000 pounds of food from UB’s dining halls for donation in the Buffalo area.

As a Student Engagement Ambassador, Lauren hosts office hour appointments with students looking to increase their campus and community involvement. By serving as a peer mentor, she wants to ensure that every student at UB feels a sense of belonging through their activities and leadership roles.

Lauren will be an Honors Colloquium TA for the 2024-2025 academic year, where she will teach Honors College first-year students about Buffalo and the city’s various challenges. By facilitating thought-provoking discussions, she hopes to further students’ knowledge, appreciation, and love for Buffalo and the Western New York region.

Outside of school, Lauren is a competitive Rubik’s Cube speedsolver. The Rubik’s Cube community is where her leadership journey and love for volunteering began. As a World Cube Association Delegate, she has overseen 23 cube competitions in New York and surrounding states.

After graduation, Lauren plans to pursue a master’s degree in urban planning, geography, or education. She plans to have a positive impact on the Western New York region by leveraging spatial data to create accurate maps that inform equitable public policy decisions. She is especially interested in effective public transportation systems.