Texas A&M University–San Antonio welcomed one of the most accomplished figure skaters in U.S. history to campus Sept. 23 as Michelle Kwan shared lessons on leadership, resilience and pursuing excellence with the A&M-San Antonio community.
Kwan headlined the Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders Distinguished Lecture Series during an evening conversation with Student Body President Caroleena Mancilla in the University’s auditorium.
Speaking to students, faculty, staff and community members, Kwan reflected on her career and life and offered words of encouragement and guidance to those in attendance.
“Take your time to discover your interests and then acquire the tools you’ll need once you graduate,” Kwan advised students who might be anxious about starting college. “Dream big, choose your own path, and work hard to make it happen.”
Kwan knows all about dreaming big and hard work. With working-class parents who immigrated from Hong Kong, she became one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes. She won Olympic silver at the 1998 Games and bronze at the 2002 Games, along with five World Championships during the late 1990s and early 2000s. She also captured nine U.S. championships, the most ever by an American skater.
Kwan admitted that after her skating career ended, she was unsure about her future. “I retired at 26 and really struggled with what I wanted to do next,” she said. “Skating was my whole identity.”
After some self-reflection, Kwan transitioned into public service and diplomacy. She was named a public diplomacy ambassador in 2006 and, over the years, traveled the world, representing the U.S. in foreign relations. She also pursued her education, earning a B.A. in international studies from the University of Denver in 2009 and an M.A. in international relations from Tufts University in 2011. She later served as an adviser to the U.S.-China Women's Leadership Exchange and Dialogue. In 2022, President Joe Biden nominated her to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Belize, a position she held until 2025.
Kwan said she sometimes battled imposter syndrome during this transitional part of her life, but she never let it stop her. “Even when I was terrified, I knew that if I just applied myself and embraced getting outside my comfort zone, I was going to make it.”
Along the way, Kwan also became a celebrated pop culture figure, appearing as herself in such notable TV programs as The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She also appeared in a series of prime-time skating specials on ABC.
With a career that spans elite athletics, political diplomacy, and show business, Kwan proved to be an exceptional guest for the Cisneros Lecture Series, offering students examples of how skills developed in one pursuit can carry over into entirely new chapters of life, helping inspire Jaguars to make an impact in their communities and beyond.
“Younger generations are so great about discovering what’s next, adapting, and seizing opportunities,” she said. “Just know that you don’t have to have everything mapped out. Take the time to find your own path and follow your heart.”
The Distinguished Lecture Series is part of the Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders’ efforts to introduce students and the broader community to accomplished leaders whose experiences can provide insight and inspiration for the next generation.
Kwan’s appearance also reflected the University’s commitment to bringing prominent voices to its South Side campus and creating opportunities for students and community members to engage with leaders who have made an impact on the national and international stage.