Ying-Chia, who goes by Derek, has built his journey around connection, creativity, and initiative. Currently studying at California State University, Fullerton, he is preparing to continue his communications studies at University of California, Berkeley — ranked #1 public university in the U.S. and #15 overall. His experiences reflect both drive and direction.
In Spring 2025, Derek actively participated in UC transfer panels and outreach programs across campuses like UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC Irvine, gaining insight into academic pathways and student success. That curiosity carried into real-world experience through a rigorous summer internship at Videoland Television Network in Taiwan, where he worked long production days on filming, editing, and content creation. His work appeared across TV, YouTube, and Instagram, ranging from organizing large-scale footage for long-form videos to independently producing short-form content from start to finish.
Derek’s leadership began early. As founder and captain of his school’s table tennis team, he recruited members by going classroom to classroom, trained players, and organized matches to build both skill and community. He also spent nine years on the swim team, earning first place in a city-level relay event and speaking at a school assembly to promote the sport.
Beyond athletics, Derek helped organize a month-long chess tournament for 50 participants, managed logistics across campus offices, and contributed as a photography team member, documenting events and helping run a school-wide competition and award ceremony. He also gave back through volunteering at Ronald McDonald House Charities in Orange, supporting families during evening service events.
With a 3.73 GPA, Derek has shown strong academic performance, but his journey reinforces something bigger: top universities are looking beyond the numbers.
Behind his transfer success was more than just experience, it was intention. With the support of his Kings student success advisor, Derek spent hours refining his application,
shaping his story, and building a profile that reflected both his academic goals and real-world impact.
Derek’s story is about more than achievements. It’s about how he uses communication to lead, create, and connect.
