July 2nd, 2010

U of M Student Xung Chang Joins ACES

University of Minnesota undergraduate Xung Chang has joined ACES as a development and marketing intern. A Minneapolis native, Xung Chang recently made the move to Maplewood with his two older brothers. Xung, who has three older sisters as well, loves sports and currently plays on a local softball team. He is scheduled to graduate this summer with a Sports Management degree from the University of Minnesota, and was originally drawn to ACES as he was interested in working with kids in a sports-related capacity. Having lived in nearly every corner of Minneapolis, Xung states that most of all, “It’s just nice to give back to my home town.”

Xung, who started at ACES as a Volunteer Tutor/Mentor, described this experience as a fun way to hang out with kids. He remembers enjoying the energy and charismatic personalities of the students he had the opportunity to work with!

ACES was not Xung’s first stint volunteering with youth. He worked with kids before in an after-school setting in Minneapolis designing educational board games for kids and he was previously involved with the Courage Center, volunteering at events such as their wheel chair basketball tournament.

If you ask Xung, “What’s next?” he remains calm, as usual, stating he just hopes to utilize his sports management degree, but that he would “love working with kids in a sports-related environment.” Whatever he ends up doing, he just hopes he has the opportunity to work hands-on in the community.

ACES would like to thank Xung for all his hard work as both a volunteer and intern. Executive Director of ACES, Chad Caruthers, said, "We are thrilled that Xung is here. His sharp skills are a great asset as ACES expands its footprint to serve more at-risk youth."