Director’s Note
The past year marked significant progress for Asian American Studies. We offered 11 diverse classes each semester, thanks to our dedicated full-time teaching staff. AAST educators taught courses on Immigration and Ethnicity, Asian American Foodways, South Asian American Literature and Culture, Public Policy, and Filipino American History and Culture. Their efforts resulted in enrolling over 700 students annually, with more than 3,400 students attending classes over the past five years alone. Our minor program remains robust, with more than 40 students graduating with an AAST minor. We kicked off the year with our AAST Welcome and launched our “AAST at 25” campaign, celebrating our milestone 25th year and focusing on strengthening and sustaining our minor program. The Office of Undergraduate Studies featured current AAST minor Kaia Lee-Espirtu ('25) and her mother Tanya Lee ('01), who shared memories and perspectives on the value of Asian American Studies. To support our Working for Asian American Studies Expansion (WAASE) efforts, AAST hired three undergraduate students, all AAST minors, to enhance visibility and participation in APIDA student organizations and assist our social media and communications impact. We launched “Lunch and Learns,” informal gatherings to connect with faculty and staff, responding to student interest in more informal contact with our program. This year, AAST hosted two powerful talks: Dr. OiYan A. Poon on her book, "Asian American is Not a Color," and Tuyet Duong, Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer of NAPAWF, for the 2025 Chandni Kumar Annual Lecture, highlighting reproductive justice and federal advocacy. This year, we initiated a new search for the Calvin J. Li Postdoctoral Fellow. We received the strongest applicant pool to date.
Because of the work to establish the program and its expansion over the years, generations of students have had the opportunity to see race in the United States through the lens of Asian Americans. As the conversation about race in the United States becomes more fraught, it is more important than ever that students of all racial backgrounds understand our shared histories and our distinct encounters with white supremacy, our complicity with and our challenge to anti-Black racism, the work of Asian Americans who have resisted oppression even in the darkest days, and the power that comes from coalescing with other marginalized communities to stand together in the face of multiple oppressions. In a moment marked by hot takes, people talking past one another, and deep suspicion across ideological divides, Asian American Studies and other race and ethnic studies programs stand out. Why? Because Asian American Studies classes constitute the exact opposite of a one-off comment about race in America. Instead, Asian American Studies classes allow for a sustained conversation about race that is informed by research and thoughtful theoretical and historical ideas. This long conversation is the work of ethnic studies and its gift to students and to our communities. This is the contribution of ethnic studies and Asian American Studies, and we are so grateful and inspired by the fight for AAST that established our program 25 years ago.
Courses and Enrollment
During the 2024–2025 academic year, AAST had 101 students enrolled in the minor program! AAST offered 17 interdisciplinary courses with almost 775 enrolled students. Majority of our courses were waitlisted.
Comparative Student Data
| Academic Year | Minors Enrolled | Minors Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| 2020–2021 | 87 | 24 |
| 2021–2022 | 114 | 35 |
| 2022–2023 | 114 | 39 |
| 2023–2024 | 99 | 37 |
| 2024–2025 | 101 | 41 |
FY25 Course Offerings & Enrollment
| Fall 2024 | Seats Issued | Seats Offered |
|---|---|---|
| AAST200: Intro to Asian American Studies | 78 | 80 |
| AAST201: Asian American History | 34 | 40 |
| AAST262: Asian American Psychology | 50 | 60 |
| AAST351: Asian Americans and Media | 40 | 40 |
| AAST355: Asian Americans in Film | 30 | 30 |
| AAST363: Filipino American History and Biography | 21 | 35 |
| AAST378: Experiential Learning | 1 | 5 |
| AAST388: Independent Research | 3 | 13 |
| AAST394: Growing Up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation | 30 | 30 |
| AAST422: Asian American Women and Gender | 20 | 20 |
| AAST440: South Asian American Literature and Culture | 20 | 20 |
| AAST443: Asian American Politics | 29 | 30 |
| Fall Total (88.3%) | 356 | 403 |
| Spring 2025 | Seats Issued | Seats Offered |
|---|---|---|
| AAST200: Intro to Asian American Studies | 40 | 40 |
| AAST250: Asian American Foodways | 30 | 30 |
| AAST298Q: Displaced Lives: War, Memory, Globalization, and Transmigration in Asian American American Literature and Culture | 15 | 20 |
| AAST350: South Asian American Experiences | 25 | 30 |
| AAST351: Asian Americans and Media | 40 | 40 |
| AAST378: Experiential Learning | 0 | 2 |
| AAST388: Independent Research | 2 | 10 |
| AAST394: Growing Up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation | 29 | 30 |
| AAST398J: New World Arrivals: Literature of Asian American Migration and Diaspora | 15 | 25 |
| AAST421: Asian American Public Policy | 21 | 20 |
| AAST422: Asian American Women and Gender | 20 | 20 |
| AAST443: Asian American Politics | 30 | 30 |
| AAST498Q: Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Studies | 9 | 20 |
| Spring Total (88.8%) | 277 | 312 |
| Winter 2025 | Seats Issued | Seats Offered |
|---|---|---|
| AAST351: Asian Americans and Media | 26 | 40 |
| AAST355: Asian Americans in Film | 40 | 40 |
| Winter Total (82.5%) | 66 | 80 |
| Summer 2025 | Seats Issued | Seats Offered |
|---|---|---|
| AAST351: Asian Americans and Media | 35 | 40 |
| AAST355: Asian Americans in Film | 39 | 40 |
| Summer Total (92.5%) | 74 | 80 |
| Total (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025, Summer 2025) | Total Seats Issued | Total Seats Offered |
|---|---|---|
| 88.3% | 773 | 875 |
AAST at 25: Program Highlights
AAST Welcome | september 24, 2024
The program kicked off the fall semester by hosting an AAST course themed game of Jeopardy and launching our “AAST at 25” campaign. We shared how the campaign not only celebrates our milestone 25th year, but also focuses on intentional efforts to strengthen and sustain our minor program. We introduced our three WAASE organizers, as well invited attendees to join our efforts to outreach to new campus partners.
Lunch & Learns with AAST faculty & Staff | Fall 2024 - Spring 2025
We offered a new series of AAST Lunch & Learns - an informal gathering to learn more about and connect with our faculty and staff.
AAST Tabling at Student Events | Fall 2024 - Spring 2025
To maximize student outreach, our WAASE student organizers tabled at several events to share more information about the AAST program and the minor.
Undas & Día de los Muertos Altar | October 28 - November 1, 2024
As Latine Heritage Month and Filipino American History Month came to a close, AAST and MICA welcomed our communities in an opportunity of reflection to honor our ancestors. Día de los Muertos (Mexico and other parts of Latin America) and Undas (Philippines) is celebrated on November 1 and 2, alongside the Catholic holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Despite our dis/connections to religion, we recognize the power and intention as cultural bearers. The shared practice of creating an ofrenda/dambana (altar/shrine) and family trips to the cemetery allow us to hold both grief and joy as we commune with our passed loved ones. Community was welcome to stop by the MICA Lounge in contributing to the collective altar to remember our ancestors and those we did not know, but grieve and honor. Lastly, Kai Kai and Justine facilitated a “muni-muni” (deep reflection); an intentional reflection space with guided writing prompts and conversation around grief.
Book Talk with Dr. OiYan A. Poon: Asian American is Not a Color | November 12, 2024
In collaboration with the College of Education, AAST co-hosted a talk with Dr. OiYan A. Poon on her recent book, "Asian American is Not a Color: Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action, and Family."
Dr. Poon is an award-winning researcher and leader for intersectional racial equity in education, author, and speaker. She is co-director of the College Admissions Futures Co-Laborative. Her research agenda brings together organizational theories and race and ethnic studies to study rejective admission and selection processes, the racial politics of Asian Americans and education, and affirmative action policies. She has received grants from the Gates Foundation, Joyce Foundation, and Spencer Foundation to support her research, and her work has appeared widely in national media outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Atlantic, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and the New Yorker.
Fresh Pages: Issue 2 Launch | february 2025
We were delighted to present the second issue of Fresh Pages, a literary collection showcasing the creative works of undergraduate and recent graduate students from the University of Maryland. This issue highlights a diverse range of storytelling and poetic expression, offering poignant reflections on identity, heritage, privilege, displacement, and resilience.
Through evocative narratives and poetry, these works explore deeply personal and collective experiences. In Poems for Gaza, Diana Huynh intertwines privilege and grief in a call for solidarity, highlighting the stark contrast between peaceful life and the devastation in Gaza, where survival is a daily struggle. Echoing loss, resilience, and moral awakening, these poems expose the enduring pain of war, urging the world to choose humanity over violence. Zayana Bormanshinov’s Silk is a poignant meditation on displacement, weaving together sorrow and strength in a tale of survival and belonging. Abhay Maloo’s Homecoming Odyssey intricately portrays the Indian American experience, navigating themes of alienation, dual identity, and familial ties, making the protagonist’s journey deeply relatable.
In Between Two Worlds: Poems on Identity and Belonging, Sathvika Sangoju captures the struggles of navigating a dual identity, where cultural tensions manifest in everyday moments, from school lunches to community belonging. Jeffrey Lyngdoh’s Plight of the Tribe offers a compelling window into Khasi culture, unraveling the nuances of matriarchal traditions and societal shifts. Lahiruni Dias Amarawardena’s Never Turn Your Back on Buddha reflects on faith, familial expectations, and cultural reconciliation, while Eesha Kaul’s Reflections on Dal Lake explores themes of nostalgia, displacement, and the painful complexities of identity, weaving a tapestry of loss, memory, and the elusive search for belonging.
Together, these works offer a powerful exploration of identity, displacement, resilience, and the shared human experience.
AAST Student Poetry Displayed at College Park City Hall | february 2025
The City of College Park invited AAST to display students' poetry/work at College Park's Lunar New Year Event on February 1, and the works of 11 students continued to be displayed in City Hall for the remainder of February.
Chandni kumar annual lecture with Tuyet Duong | february 18, 2025
Tuyet Duong, Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF), was our featured speaker for the 2025 Chandni Kumar Annual Lecture. Duong highlighted reproductive justice, and discussed federal advocacy, policy, and politics in the context of a volatile landscape in our democracy today.
AAST 25th Year Celebration | March 28, 2025
We celebrated 25 years of AAST with past and current students, faculty, staff, and community members! The room was decorated with AAST student poetry and alumni archives. We recognized our 2025-2026 AAST scholarship recipients (Brendan Maglaqui, Divya Vakkalanka, Hana Lee, Khaymar Moe, Abraham Akinlandenu, Michelle Kim) and our 2025 AAST Student Impact Awardee (Lahiruni Dias Amarawardena).
As a central focus of our celebration, highlighted perspectives of a few of the original student activists that advocated for the program in the late 90's alongside recent/current AAST minors that sparked efforts to expand AAST's resources. This panel explored the importance of ethnic studies (and specifically Asian American studies) then and now. Panelists included William Liu, Tanya Lee, M Pease, and Lahiruni Dias Amarawardena and was moderated by Hsuan Ou.
Photos below by Amina Lampkin (UGST)
Unity Gala | April 19, 2025
AAST was happy to support AASU's Unity Gala, where we celebrated our graduating AAST minors during their senior recognition.
Student Recognition
Jamie Bernardo (‘26) was accepted into the UMD Fellows Program as a Public Health Policy Federal Fellow. Jamie has also been selected as a Student Ambassador for the Reed-Yorke Health Professions Advising Office within CMNS.
Ruhana Bhatti (‘27) co-founded a Girls Who Lead chapter at UMD, an organization focused on empowering young women through leadership development, mentorship, and real-world opportunities.
Konchok Chophel (‘25) spoke at the Annual Division of Student Affairs Co-Curricular Learning (CCL) Workshop and served as a member of the Co-Curricular Learning Steering Committee.
Tara Davoodi (‘26) ranked 3rd in the nation for individual orators by the American Moot Court Association, competing among nearly 1,000 students from over 100 colleges and universities.
Lahiruni Dias Amarawardena (‘25) was selected as an Olga May Wong Policy Fellow with OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates.
Lijon Frances Guiyab (‘25) was honored as a Senior Marshal during Commencement.
Anna Huynh (‘28) was selected as an Undergraduate Researcher to research early on-set stroke proteomics in the Department of Neurology.
Humnah Ibrahim (‘26) had the opportunity to attend the inaugural STEM, Leadership, and International Careers workshop in Seattle for alumni of the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program.
Anusha Kumar (‘26) presented a research poster examining how children evaluate and respond to gender inequalities in science leadership roles at the 2025 Annual Association of Psychological Sciences.
Hana Lee (‘27) attended the 2025 APS Annual Convention and presented her research proposal about accessible public transportation and mobility options on college campuses.
Sheisa Naderi (‘25) presented a research poster that investigated teacher's strategies when handling instances of social exclusion between students at the University of Maryland's Undergraduate Research Day. Sheisa also presented a research poster examining how children evaluate and respond to gender inequalities in science leadership roles at the 2025 Annual Association of Psychological Sciences.
Xiao-Lian Warren (‘25) was selected to be a member of the Maryland Medallion Society at UMD and was a finalist for The University of Maryland Model Citizenship Prize and The Wilson H. Elkins Award. She was recently nominated for the Jack Heise Award, which recognizes outstanding work by a student manager within Maryland Athletics. Xiao-Lian was also pinned in recognition of her accomplishments as a member of the OMSE Academic Excellence Society.
Faculty/Staff Recognition
Jennifer Cho, PhD, gave a talk called "Beyond Reproductive Rights: Lessons from Women of Color" for the Kappa Phi Lambda Dedicated Show (November 2024, UMD) and was an invited panelist for "Inclusive Classroom Leadership" at the TerrapinSTRONG Symposium (October 2024, UMD). Dr. Cho’s publications, conferences/talks, and honors include:
Invited book review of Constellating Home: Trans and Queer Asian American Rhetorics by V. Jo Hsu, in MELUS (May 2025)
"Failing Mother: Honoring the Inheritances of Asian American Feminism" in Feminist Theory (April 2025)
'The Kiss and the Cut': Reassembling the Techno-Orientalist Clone through Multispecies Grief and Intimacy in Larissa Lai’s The Tiger Flu, in WSQ: Women's Studies Quarterly (Fall/Winter 2024)
Alexandria Grant, MBA, was selected to join the third cohort of the Smith Leadership Development Institute.
Kai Kai Mascareñas, M.Ed., gave a presentation on the creation of ethnic and Asian American Studies for the Asian American Student Union leadership retreat (August 2024). Kai Kai also conceptualized the “AAST at 25” campaign to strengthen and sustain the minor program, facilitating the program to reach a milestone of 40 new enrolled students this academic year.
Julie Park, PhD, served her first year as Associate Chair of the Sociology Department. Dr. Park was an invited speaker for the "Between Us" Panel at Rice University in April 2025 to discuss the chapter she wrote titled, “A Bittersweet Graduation.” Additionally, she was voted to be a council member for the Asia and Asian America section of the American Sociological Association.
Janelle Wong, PhD, received the 2025 College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Mentorship Award in the spring of 2025. She published an article on survey research in the journal PS: Political Science & Politics. Wong joined a new research collaboration on immigrant voting, funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
AAST faculty and students were well represented at the 2025 Association of Asian American Studies Conference in Boston, MA.:
Marjorie Justine Antonio (‘22): Presenter, The Future of Asian American Community Archives: Transnational Filipinx Activist Community Archiving
Jennifer Cho, PhD: Presenter, Asian American Feminist Activism: Lessons from Michiyo Fukaya: A Fire Keeps Burning, It Is In Us
Lahiruni Dias Amarwardena (‘25): Presenter, Identity, Protest and Power: Asian American Youth, Student Activists, and Elected Representation: Disclose, Divest, Define: Student Activist Perspectives on the Meaning of Divestment and Impact on Campaign Goal Setting
Phil Tajitsu Nash, Esq: Chair and Presenter, Asian American Law Deans and Administrators History Project: History of Asian American Law School Deans. Presenter, Making Waves: The Rise of Asian American (Film)
Binod Paudyal, PhD: Presenter, South Asian American Studies through a lens of privilege and power: Privilege and Marginality: Nepali Americans and the Politics of representation in South Asian American Studies
Janelle Wong, PhD: Chair, Diverging Asian American Selves: Approaches to Studying Collective Identity in Social Sciences. Presenter, Identity, Protest and Power: Asian American Youth, Student Activists, and Elected Representation: Conservative Local Political Mobilizations among Immigrants of Color
Welcome to AAST
To help the program with our Working for Asian American Studies Expansion (WAASE) efforts, AAST hired three undergraduate students (they are all AAST minors!). In their one year commitment, they outreached to APIDA student organizations to enhance AAST visibility and participation, and have assisted our social media and communications impact.
Adrian Galsim
WAASE Organizer
Sacha LLanto
WAASE Organizer
Sarah Tang
WAASE Organizer
Vi Bao Le
Business Associate
Vi, an AAST minor alum (‘23), joined AAST as a Business Associate to help aid in the transition of staff changes.
Farewell from the Program
Alexandria Grant
Business and Scheduling Coordinator
Alexandria joined AAST as the Business and Scheduling Coordinator in Fall 2021. She has accepted a position as a Senior Financial Analyst at the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center in Richmond, VA.
Joan Hong
Calvin j Li Postdoctoral fellow
Dr. Hong joined the program as AAST’s 4th Calvin J. Li Postdoctoral Fellow in Fall 2023 and taught AAST394: Growing up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation.
2025-2026 AAST Scholarship Recipients
Timothy J Ng Scholarship in Asian American Studies
The Timothy J Ng Scholarship in Asian American Studies encourages undergraduates who demonstrate strength in academics and leadership, especially where such achievement leads to improvement in the lives of Asian Americans.
Brendan Maglaqui (‘27)
Information Science | Asian American Studies
“[Being in the Asian American Studies Program has] allowed me to learn more about my identity and my own history! It also let me discover topics that links AAST with my other interests. [My favorite part of being in this program has been] the professors! They have been very helpful and each have such a unique background and perspective which brightens my learning experience.”
Divya Vakkalanka (‘26)
Journalism and Government Politics | General Business, Asian American STUDIES
“The program has helped me understand my own identity as a South Asian American but more importantly has provided me the platform to understand how all of the issues we learn about are intersectional. The minor has supplemented my journalism and international relations degrees especially in terms of the study of race and ethnic politics which I am particularly interested in along with South Asian studies. The community of students and faculty that Asian American Studies has to provide has allowed for me to grow and flourish as a student and leader. I enjoy taking classes that help me understand my Asian American predecessors and how to better understand my own identity and important role I play in being an Asian American leader. The faculty are nothing short of the best and have influenced my time at the university from the moment I started out as a freshman.”
Linh-Thong Huu Nguyen Memorial Scholarship
This memorial scholarship was established in 2008 by Tone’s brother and fellow Terp Tuan Nguyen to support undergraduates who are enrolled in the Asian American Studies Minor and demonstrate consistent academic achievement in their studies.
Hana Lee (‘27)
Social Data Science, Statistics | Asian American Studies
“The Asian American Studies Program helped me gain a stronger connection to student activists at UMD and gave me a better understanding of my place at UMD and in the US as an Asian American. My favorite part so far was my Intro to Asian American Studies course with Dr. Cho that inspired me to declare the AAST minor. From the very first class, I saw my experiences reflected in the course material in a way that I had never seen before.”
Khaymar Moe (‘27)
Computer Science | General Business, Asian American Studies
“Being in the Asian American Studies Program has provided me with a strong sense of community. Whether it is through engaging classes or events, I have had the privilege of meeting many inspiring individuals who encourage me to learn and grow both personally and academically. My favorite aspects of this program include gaining a deeper understanding of the history and contributions of Asian Americans and having a space to participate in meaningful discussions and reflections on these topics. This experience has also enriched my perspective on my own identity and the world around me.”
Major General Antonio Taguba Profiles in Courage and Leadership Scholarship
This scholarship recognizes undergraduates who demonstrate scholarship and outstanding leadership. Students are either Asian American Studies students or enrolled in the Army, Navy or Air Force ROTC program at the University of Maryland, and considering a career in federal public service, either civilian or military.
Abraham Akinladenu (‘28)
Bioengineering | Air Force ROTC
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship, and I just want to say thank you for believing in me. It encourages me to continue to live a life of service, find ways to uplift those around me, and pour more good back into the world. I wish you all the best in years to come.”
Michelle Kim (‘28)
International Relations, Economics | Asian American Studies, ARMY ROTC
“I've been able to connect with professors and advisors from the program that have really been incredibly welcoming and helpful in guiding me with my pathway with the program. Professor Wong has been so helpful with helping me connect with alums or other faculty that can help with my networking/career skills.”
2024-2025 Asian American Studies Minors
Jeffry Alvarado, ‘25
Philosophy | Asian American Studies
"The AAST minor really shaped my understanding of the Asian American community and their history that they went through in the past. Also, it shaped me to have a minor under my major belt, and the classes were fun and engaging.”
Amy batmunkh, ‘25
English | Asian American Studies
“The AAST minor helped me better understand the diversity of Asian American experiences more thoroughly. I found that my AAST courses overlapped with a lot of my major required courses, which allowed me to see things in a multi-dimensional way. I've also been greatly inspired by the AAST faculty and have learned so much from them. They are all amazing!”
Emmanuel Bautista, ‘25
Computer Science | Asian American Studies
“[The AAST minor] helped me to ask more in depth questions about why I am here!”
Wadood butt, ‘24
computer science | Asian American Studies
“The program offers great insight into contemporary issues that stem from past issues. [I hope to apply what I learned in AAST classes] to connect with others and apply intersectionality in situations.”
Elyssa Cheung, ‘25
General Biology | Asian American Studies
“[The AAST minor] has allowed me to explore more sides of my Chinese American history and have more love and respect for other Asian cultures that I knew existed.”
Emily Chung, ‘25
Psychology, Criminology and Criminal Justice | Asian American Studies
“[The AAST minor] connected me to my ethnic and cultural background, as a third-generation Asian American, my schooling system never allowed me to learn more about my personal history.”
Lahiruni Dias Amarawardena, ‘25
government and Politics - International Relations | Asian American Studies, History
“Being an AAST minor has greatly influenced my life. I believe it has nurtured my passion and commitments to my community, helped me engage in my personal history, and assist me in envisioning a hopeful future for APIDA and other marginalized communities. Over the course of three years, I've learned so much about collective identity, had conversations with other APIDA students, built relationships with staff and faculty, and engaged in activism within AAST and affiliated organizations like AASU.”
Cooper Fojas, ‘25
Journalism | Asian American Studies
“The AAST minor has given me the opportunity to explore my heritage and background for credit, which I feel very luck about. I hope to take what I learned with me wherever I go, even if the content might not be directly related to my career field. I also feel that it will ultimately bring me closer to my family and roots.”
Lijon Frances Guiyab, ‘25
Biochemistry | Asian American Studies
“Being encouraged to explore my writing through AAST233 and AAST388 has been transformative in understanding what I am capable of not only as a student, but as a writer. I never thought I could write poems or short stories, but the AAST faculty helped me to develop that skill!”
Lindsey Han, ‘25
Accounting | Asian American Studies
Abigail Jin, ‘24
PSYCHOLOGY | Asian American Studies
“The AAST minor has allowed me to consider pursuing a career in which I would work and serve Asian American communities. As a Psychology major, I originally wanted to become a therapist or counselor, but it was not until I started taking AAST courses, where i decided I wanted to work with Asian American populations.”
Mustafa Khalid, ‘25
Neurobiology and Physiology | Asian American Studies
“I think applying my knowledge in disparities, and understanding the complex position that AAPIs hold in American society has really inspired me to be more informed and understand the roots of a lot of problems.”
Thirein Kyaw, ‘25
Psychology | Asian American Studies
Andrew Le, ‘24
Information Systems-Business | Asian American Studies
Kaia Lee-Espiritu, ‘25
Criminology and Criminal Justice, Psychology | Asian American Studies“The AAST minor has given me the tools and education to speak up against injustices that not only my community faces, but other communities. I really hope AAST turns into a major!”
Jiaxin Li, ‘25
psychology | Asian American Studies
“All of the AAST courses I’ve taken have been incredibly beneficial, helping me learn more about my own identity within a multicultural society. Our stories are worth being heard, and the process of sharing personal experiences and listening to others gave me a deep sense of belonging and strength.”
Emilie Liang, ‘25
General Biology | Asian American Studies
“[The AAST minor] has made me more engaged with politics. I hope to be more politically engaged with including topics having to do with Asian Americans.”
Nandika Mahesh, ‘25
Government and Politics - international Relations | Asian American Studies, International Development and Conflict Management | Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies certificate
Michael Mallonga, ‘25
Information Sciences | Asian American Studies, sociology
“I really got to learn a lot from Professors Cho and Paudyal and how I got a chance to connect my Filipino concepts with their material.”
Abhay Maloo, ‘25
MATHEMATICS, COMPUTER SCIence | Asian American Studies, Global Engineering Leadership
“Taking AAST courses have validated personal experiences in my life and also helped me grow by learning from the experiences of others. With two STEM majors, AAST was a refreshing break from constant technical work and provided me an outlet to apply technical perspectives.”
Liana Marciante, ‘25
Information Systems, Marketing | Asian American Studies
“As someone who did not know much of my own culture and history, these classes have helped me understand both past and present problems for people who are like me.”
Shane McGuire, ‘25
Psychology | Asian American Studies
Matthew Mey, ‘25
Public Health Science | Asian American Studies
“[The AAST minor] allowed me to learn about Asian American history. [I hope to apply what I learned in AAST courses] to practice cultural competency in my professional life.”
Trajan Mulinazzi, ‘25
Computer Science | Asian American Studies
Sheisa Naderi, ‘25
Psychology | Asian American Studies
“I hope to take what I learned to become a more nuanced and informed psychologist who can help people of all backgrounds and cultures!”
Angelo Navaleza, ‘25
Computer Science | Asian American Studies
Kayla Ou, ‘25
Psychology | Asian American Studies
“[The AAST minor] has been so educational and refreshing to learn about my culture.”
Katherine Park, ‘24
Hearing and Speech Sciences | Asian American Studies
“As a future speech language pathologist, I believe that DEI is important in my field because there is a lack of representation in speech language pathology. I hope I can use what I learned to grasp different cultures, especially other Asian cultures when I try to build rapport with my clients.”
Madison Pease, ‘25
Information Science | Asian American Studies, Disability studies
“[The AAST minor] balanced out my coursework and experiences. I was able to hear my peers' thoughts and opinions about social topics and history, which helped me gain new perspectives.”
Benjamin Shin, ‘25
Psychology | Asian American Studies
“[The AAST minor] helped me realize what population I want to focus on in my work as a therapist. [I hope to apply what I learn by] using my knowledge of Asian American experiences to help best inform my practice in therapy, specifically with Asian American clients.”
Ishita Singh, ‘25
Information Science | Asian American Studies
Christopher Song, ‘25
Computer Science | Asian American Studies
Sarah Suleman, ‘24
Public Policy | Asian American Studies, Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation
“Taking AAST courses has really changed the way I view life. I find myself performing a lot of ethnographies now during my day to day. I think I also think more critically about so many topics including politics, race, and culture. I am hoping to continue my critical thinking and apply it to the real world. I also really love the community among AAST majors and hope I can take this sense of community to the career world and foster it wherever I go next.”
Reanna Talwar, ‘25
General Biology | Asian American Studies
“The minor helped me explore more about my identity and what it means to be South Asian American. It also led me to do research on South Asian body image, which was really personal and meaningful to me.”
tien tran, ‘25
General Biology | Asian American Studies
“The AAST minor has helped shape my perspective of culture and identity, showcasing the importance of cultural competency and history. As an aspiring medical provider, educating myself on these topics will indefinitely help me to provide holistic care in the future!”
Sanjana Umashankar, ‘25
Psychology, Humanities, Health, and Medicine | Asian American Studies
Kathleen Vo, ‘25
Computer Science | Asian American Studies
Xiao-Lian Warren, ‘25
Public Health Science | Asian American Studies
“I hope to use this knowledge to help provide more inclusive and effective healthcare to diverse populations. Ethnic studies is important to me because it sheds light on the historical roots of many adverse health outcomes.”
Jason wu, ‘25
Computer Science | Asian American Studies
Danny Zheng, ‘24
Computer Science | Asian American Studies
“The minor really broadened my perspective of my perspective on identity and heritage. It really helped me open my cultural awareness and this definitely influenced my undergraduate career.”
Kenny Zheng, ‘25
Psychology | Asian American Studies
“The AAST has really taught me about what it’s like to be Asian American. Given that I grew up around people besides Asians, this course really opened my eyes. I would like to ideally work with Asian American populations in the future in therapy. In this minor, I learned different cultural backgrounds, values, etc.”
Congratulations to all of our AAST minor graduates!
