Andy Yang: Civic-Minded Innovator
This RBC dual enrollment student applied his learning from the classroom to bridge the digital gap in his community.
By Sterling Giles
Andy Yang, a Richard Bland College (RBC) dual enrollment student from Colonial Heights High, takes his learning beyond the classroom. Namely, he developed software to bolster his family’s restaurant digital capabilities to stay afloat during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yang’s parents yearned for career and financial opportunity in the United States—more than 7,000 miles away from their village in Fujian, China. They eventually established their roots in Colonial Heights, Virginia and started their own Chinese restaurant. From an early age, Yang was immersed in the family business—managing customers, as well as overseeing inventory and operations.
His parents, who aren’t fluent English speakers, rely heavily on Yang with day-to-day demands. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Yang integrated delivery platforms to improve the restaurant’s antiquated operations. This streamlined in-person dining and granted them access to delivery services such as DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber Eats.
“I posted QR codes that linked to our restaurant at colleges and universities, and other businesses in the area,” Yang explained. “Because we’re located in a rural area, the delivery services makes it easier for our customers so they don’t have to travel several miles to us.”
According to Yang, more than 75 percent of his family’s restaurant revenue comes from delivery platforms.
But he didn’t stop there.
He translated his food service model to neighboring immigrant-owned businesses to facilitate their operations as well.
“Initially, they were hesitant,” Yang admitted. “But they were elated when they started getting so many new customers.”
Through classes in sociology, biology, psychology and Spanish, Yang has strengthened his ability to communicate with and support diverse communities.
“I’m passionate about bridging the digital gap in these communities,” Yang said. “I’ve gained so much valuable knowledge from my courses and I implement it in my work.”
Recently, Yang was awarded the prestigious Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship, totaling over $40,000. The scholarship also guarantees a paid internship at Amazon after he completes his first year at the university of his choosing. Yang, who is the valedictorian of his high school class, will attend MIT in the fall and plans to major in both computer science and mathematics.
Yang was also admitted into this year’s Jane Street Academy of Math and Programming summer cohort. During the program, he will be immersed in rigorous and interactive STEM curriculum focused on mathematics, computer programming, data analysis and game theory. Additionally, he’ll be awarded a $5,000 scholarship. Lastly, at this year’s RBC Awards of Distinction Ceremony, Yang was recognized as the top dual enrollment student among more than 2,000 peers across the Commonwealth.
As he prepares for the next stage of his academic journey, Yang is grateful to Richard Bland College for helping him apply his academic learning to better his community.
“I love how supportive the professors and faculty are,” he said. “They teach us how to think creatively and how we can help make this world a better place.”
