Director’s Note
AAST offered 14 classes, filling 501 seats in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Of these, 11 fulfilled Gen Ed requirements. In addition to these courses, AAST cross-listed 8 courses with five academic departments. This past year, an AAST student alum produced a new documentary film about AAST, and we built a stronger relationship with African American Studies with a co-sponsored discussion of the film Sinners and a co-sponsored a lecture on "K-Pop's Black Roots", which explored the influence of R&B and Hip-Hop on global music traditions.
Courses and Enrollment
During the 2025–2026 academic year, AAST had 81 students enrolled in the minor program! AAST offered 14 classes, filling 501 seats in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Of these, 11 fulfilled Gen Ed requirements. In addition to these courses, AAST cross-listed 8 courses with five academic departments.
Comparative Student Data
| Academic Year | Minors Enrolled | Minors Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| 2021–2022 | 114 | 35 |
| 2022–2023 | 114 | 39 |
| 2023–2024 | 99 | 37 |
| 2024–2025 | 101 | 41 |
| 2025–2026 | 79 | 39 |
FY26 Course Offerings & Enrollment
| Fall 2025 | Seats Issued | Seats Offered |
|---|---|---|
| AAST200: Intro to Asian American Studies | 40 | 40 |
| AAST322: Immigration and Ethnicity | 27 | 30 |
| AAST351: Asian Americans and Media | 26 | 25 |
| AAST355: Asian Americans in Film | 35 | 35 |
| AAST363: Filipino American History and Biography | 31 | 35 |
| AAST378: Experiential Learning | 1 | 2 |
| AAST388: Independent Research | 2 | 8 |
| AAST394: Growing Up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation | 30 | 30 |
| AAST422: Asian American Women and Gender | 19 | 25 |
| AAST440: South Asian American Literature and Culture | 16 | 17 |
| AAST443: Asian American Politics | 28 | 30 |
| AAST398X: Techno Orientalism | 8 | 24 |
| Fall Total (87.4%) | 263 | 301 |
| Fall 2025 - AAST Cross-listed Courses | Primary Department |
|---|---|
| AAST398I: Preserving Asian American Histories | Historic Preservation |
| AAST498J: Revolutionary Struggles: History, Theory, Strategy | English |
| Spring 2026 | Seats Issued | Seats Offered |
|---|---|---|
| AAST200: Intro to Asian American Studies | 39 | 40 |
| AAST250: Asian American Foodways | 30 | 30 |
| AAST350: South Asian American Experiences | 26 | 25 |
| AAST351: Asian Americans and Media | 40 | 40 |
| AAST378: Experiential Learning | 0 | 2 |
| AAST388: Independent Research | 5 | 14 |
| AAST394: Growing Up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation | 28 | 30 |
| AAST421: Asian American Public Policy | 20 | 20 |
| AAST422: Asian American Women and Gender | 20 | 20 |
| AAST443: Asian American Politics | 30 | 30 |
| Spring Total (94.8%) | 238 | 251 |
| Spring 2026 - AAST Cross-listed Courses | Primary Department |
|---|---|
| AAST201: Asian American History | History |
| AAST262: Asian American Psychology | Psychology |
| AAST322: Immigration and Ethnicity | Sociology |
| AAST398A: Preserving Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Histories and Historic Preservation | Historic Preservation |
| AAST398J: New World Arrivals: Literature of Asian American Migration and Diaspora | English |
| AAST398T: The Asian American Graphic Novel | Historic English |
| Winter 2026 | Seats Issued | Seats Offered |
|---|---|---|
| AAST351: Asian Americans and Media | 36 | 40 |
| AAST355: Asian Americans in Film | 40 | 40 |
| Winter Total (95%) | 76 | 80 |
| Summer 2026 | Seats Issued | Seats Offered |
|---|---|---|
| AAST351: Asian Americans and Media | 24* | 40 |
| AAST355: Asian Americans in Film | 40* | 40 |
| Summer Total (80%) | 64 | 80 |
| Total (Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026, Summer 2026) | Total Seats Issued | Total Seats Offered |
|---|---|---|
| 90% | 641 | 712 |
Program Highlights
AAST Welcome | september 16, 2025
We were excited to introduce our newest Calvin J. Li Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Wenxi Yang, and our new minor students to the program. The AAST Welcome was a chance to connect with AAST faculty and staff, meet fellow minors, and learn more about Dr. Yang! It was also a chance to see Kai Kai before she went on parental leave!
New Wave film screening | September 21, 2025
In collaboration with UMD Alumni, Vu Nguyen and Tuan Nguyen, AAST hosted a free film screening of New Wave, a film by Elizabeth Ai. Mile-high hair. Synthesized music. Underground parties. Elizabeth Ai was on a mission to excavate an untold story of rebellious punks in the chaotic world of 80s Vietnamese new wave until she rediscovered a hidden past.
AAST443 Open class: making waves film screening | October 1, 2025
AAST443's held an open class for a free film screening of "Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America" followed by Q+A with Director Jon Osaki.
Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America explores the vital role of Ethnic Studies in redefining the narrative and promoting service to Asian American communities across the country. From the birth of Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State to present-day movements, Making Waves documents the stories of Asian American activism and efforts to lift up Ethnic Studies as a strategy to address present and future waves of anti-Asian hate.
AAAS & AAST Present: sinners film screening and panel | October 29, 2025
AAST collaborated with African American and Africana Studies (AAAS) for a screening of Sinners, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring scholars across African American, Asian American, English, and Gender Studies.
Panelists:
Introduction by Shane Bolles Walsh (AAAS)
Dr. Jennifer Cho (Asian American Studies)
Dr. Chad Infante (English)
Dr. Will Mosley (WGSS)
Moderator: Dr. Ashley Newby (AAAS)
It was a powerful interdisciplinary conversation on identity, power, and representation.
Fall Lunch & Learn with Dr. Park & Dr. Yang | October 30, 2025
Our AAST Lunch & Learn provided a space for community to enjoy lunch over an informal gathering to meet with our faculty!
Untouchable: Laughing Out Caste Film screening and discussion | November 3
In collaboration with MICA, WGSS, and the Department of English, AAST hosted a successful screening of Untouchable: Laughing Out Caste followed by Q+A with director Manjeet Sarkar!
Sarkar is an internationally acclaimed stand-up comedian who has been performing for 7 years. He has done six national tours in India of his solo show ‘Untouchable’, performed at the United Nations, and is currently on a world tour. Co-directed by Mike Noone, Untouchable: Laughing Out Caste is Sarkar’s first documentary that covers his groundbreaking journey across India and now the world. It captures his unique perspective on rural and urban life, caste, and class. Untouchable: Laughing Out Caste highlights the universality of issues faced by marginalized communities and the transformative power of artistic expression.
AAST363 Open class: Faith healers film screening | November 4, 2025
AAST363 held an open class for a screening of Faith Healers with Director Regina Acquino.
FAITH HEALERS is the untold history of Filipino doctors who left their homeland to care for Americans. Through the life of Dr. Zorayda Lee-Llacer, we witness an immigrant's journey and her many contributions to American healthcare. By exploring the complicated colonial history between the USA and the Philippines, we grasp the enormity of the challenges and achievements of a vibrant Filipino American community that grew just outside the nation's capital in Prince George’s County, MD. Along with the story of Zorayda, the film dives into the lives of 2nd generation Filipino Americans and how the Philippines continues to shape their identities from afar.
AAST's 25th Anniversary Documentary Screening & Discussion | March 5, 2026
It was a special gift to screen “Tomorrow’s World is Yours to Build,” AAST's 25th Anniversary Documentary directed and produced by AAST minor alum, Nyrene Monforte ('23)!
“Tomorrow’s World is Yours to Build” serves as a time capsule of the University of Maryland’s Asian American Studies program 25 years since its founding, through the eyes of a student organizer, a researcher, and a professor. The participants demonstrate the varied perspectives and applications for Asian American studies.
The screening was followed by a discussion with Nyrene Monforte and the film’s featured participants: M Pease, Lahiruni Dias Amarawardena, and Rossina Zamora Liu.
There is Always Work to Be Done: Implementing Lessons Learned from Ethnic Studies to Your Local Communities | april 21, 2026
AAST welcomed back alum AJ Saquilayan (‘23) as she discussed Maryland volunteering opportunities to connect with and assist local migrant communities. It was an intimate gathering of AJ sharing insights of putting the lessons and skills learned from the classroom into practice in her post-grad life.
AAST End of Year Celebration Picnic | April 23, 2026
In a different style from years prior, AAST enjoyed the End of Year Celebration picnic-style on the lawn in front of Prince Frederick Hall! It was a fun and relaxing way to connect with our minors and scholarship award recipients!
Lunch & Learn: Asian American Perspectives on Federal Public Service Careers with Charita Castro & Gem Daus | April 30, 2026
Charita and Gem shared their experiences of working in public service during our final Lunch & Learn of the year. Our students were able to gain insight and inspiration from their decades worth of serving various populations from health, labor, and other policy areas! This Lunch & Learn was made possible by the Juanita Tamayo Lott Endowment in Asian American Studies.
SAGO: An Asian American Remix | April 30, 2026
Students from AAST250: Asian American Foodways led an interactive cooking demo featuring sago. While bite-sized, these tiny pearls derived from the tropical palm tree transmit extraordinary stories of Asian American culinary adaptation and resilience. It was a packed event and was also highlighted in The Diamondback on May 1st. Read UMD Asian American food course explores history, culture at sago drink event in full.
Additional AAST Co-Sponsored events
Blackness in kpop | November 11, 2026
Anti-Imperialism 101 | November 13, 2026
People Power @ 40 Exhibition | April 8, 2026
Celebrating 250 Years of Immigrant Stories | May 6, 2026
Student Recognition
Faculty/Staff Recognition
Vi Bao Le earned her Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology.
Phil Tajitsu Nash, Esq, received the AALEADer Award presented by Asian American LEAD (AALEAD).
Wenxi Yang, PhD, delivered parenting workshops for Asian American immigrant families, social-emotional learning programming for Asian American youth, and served as an invited guest speaker on Asian American women’s mental health for Asian American sororities at the University of Maryland. She also implemented an anti-bullying intervention in Prince George’s County Public Schools fourth-grade classrooms and co-delivered training on classroom management and bullying prevention for educators.
Janelle Wong, PhD, was elected into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.
Welcome to AAST
Faculty & Staff
Vi Bao Le
Business and Scheduling Coordinator
Vi Le (AAST minor ‘23) stayed with AAST to officially serve as the Business and Scheduling Coordinator.
wenxi yang
Calvin j. Li Postdoctoral fellow
Dr. Wenxi Yang joined the program as the 6th Calvin J. Li Postdoctoral Fellow.
Affiliate Faculty
Chris Eng
Assistant Professor, English
2026-2027 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.
Trinity Rosario(‘29)
Sumit Jani (‘29)
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.
Sabrina Smith (‘27)
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.
Anna huynh
2025-2026 Asian American Studies Minors
Jamie Bernardo, ‘26
neuroscience | Asian American Studies; general business
Arryn Berroya, ‘26
Biological Sciences | Asian American Studies; Health, Humanities, & Medicine
Arlyna Catimbang, ‘25
Information Science | Asian American Studies
Elise Chang, ‘26
Communication | Asian American Studies
Konchok Chophel, ‘25
Communication | Asian American Studies
Tara Davoodi, ‘25
government and Politics | Asian American Studies; Creative writing
Mackenzie Doan, ‘26
Computer science | Asian American Studies
adrian galsim, ‘26
computer science | Asian American Studies
avipsa hamal, ‘26
psychology | Asian American Studies
jessica hoang, ‘26
computer science | Asian American Studies
humnah ibrahim, ‘26
immersive media design | Asian American Studies
evelyn jiang, ‘26
computer science | Asian American Studies; sustainability studies
james johnson, ‘26
marketing | Asian American Studies
dilan kaza, ‘26
computer science | Asian American Studies
trisha kingkeo, ‘26
english | Asian American Studies
ethan lay, ‘26
psychology; criminology & Criminal Justice | Asian American Studies
jacob liu, ‘26
computer science | Asian American studies
sacha llanto, ‘26
public health science | Asian American Studies
mahfuz zayd, ‘26
COMPUTER SCIence | Asian American Studies; Advanced cybersecurity experience
nolan marriott, ‘26
psychology | Asian American Studies
isabel ocegueada, ‘25
computer science | Asian American Studies
isabelle park, ‘26
computer Science | Asian American Studies
mahee patel, ‘26
criminology & Criminal justice | Asian American Studies
riya patel, ‘26
information science | Asian American Studies
mika persaud, ‘26
Computer Science | Asian American Studies
aleena qureshi, ‘26
supply chain management; marketing | Asian American Studies
schanze qureshi, ‘25
marketing | Asian American Studies
riya raikar, ‘26
general biology | Asian American Studies; Health, Humanities, and Medicine
archer sariscak, ‘26
computer science | Asian American Studies
Diya shah, ‘26
history; journalism | Asian American Studies
angela tan, ‘25
Physiology and Neurobiology | Asian American Studies; Computer Science
Sarah tang, ‘25
psychology | Asian American Studies
Divya Vakkalanka, ‘26
journalism; international relations | Asian American Studies; general business
Stephen vanlian Thang, ‘26
information science; psychology | Asian American Studies; INFOrmation risk Management, ethics, and privacy
yuxi wexler, ‘26
computer science | Asian American Studies
bryan xiong, ‘26
Computer Science | Asian American Studies
vinita yoo, ‘26
landscape architecture | Asian American Studies
Congratulations to all of our AAST minor graduates!
