First and foremost, I would like to say thank you to my participants. I feel fortunate to have had this opportunity to hear each of your stories. It warms my heart and I feel excited to think about what is yet to come in your careers and your personal life journeys. I would like to acknowledge my committee members, Drs Michael Goh, Kay Herting Wahl, Tom Skovholt, and Bic Ngo for their time and their feedback. I would like to say a special thank you to my advisor, Dr. Michael Goh, for his guidance and support throughout my Ph.D. journey and throughout this dissertation process. During the most trying times in my academic, career, and personal journey, my friends, mentors, and family have made all the difference. I would like to acknowledge Patricia Neimanthank you for your mentoring and support. What is life without a little fun? To seasoned friends and new friends made along the waythank you for your friendship, nights of dinners and unexpected events, warm sunny vacations, and precious talks. A very special acknowledgement to my partner Mark Lewisthank you for your affection, your support, and your encouragement. My large family and the unconditional love that circulates within it continue to be my saving grace. To every member of my familyyou have a role in my life and I am thankful for each one of you. I would like to take this time to acknowledge a few selected members. To my parents, Pa Kao Yang and Blia Thaoyour journey of immigration to the United States and your resiliency throughout has been and continues to be my inspiration. To my sister and my brother-in-law, Kayla Yang-Best and Andre Bestyou have been my pillars of support since I moved to Minnesota to pursue my ii Ph.D. studies. Thank you for the delicious home-cooked meals and for your love. Kaylayou have been my role model ever since I can remember. I would not be who I am and where I am today without your inspiration. You are my sister and my best friend.