Issue 3: Contributors
Amy Batmunkh is currently a teacher candidate in UMD’s College of Education. She studied English Language and Literature at UMD with a minor in Asian American Studies. Since joining the minor, she has eagerly consumed film and literature created by Asian Americans. Her goal as a high school English teacher is to teach culturally relevant texts, including those that she read in her AAST courses. Beyond teaching, Amy enjoys reading, watching documentaries, and exploring the DMV area.
Humnah Ibrahim is a senior pursuing a Bachelor's in Immersive Media Design with a minor in Asian American Studies. On campus, she is involved with various organizations, including the Pakistani Student Association, Muslim Student Association, UMD Libraries, and ResLife, where she serves as a graphic designer and as an RA. In her free time, Humnah enjoys South Asian history and art, photography, playing intramural sports, creating digital designs, and exploring new places.
Rushi Jain is a sophomore undergraduate student pursuing a double degree in Psychology and Criminology & Criminal Justice with minors in Asian American Studies and Creative Writing. With her writing she aims to bridge gaps in representation that she had growing up Indian American. She writes extensively about her identity and Asian American experiences in hopes that people can resonate and find some comfort in her work.
Trisha Kingkeo is a senior Creative Writing Major and Asian American Studies minor at UMD. Their mixed Asian heritage influences their writing, and allows them to cover the lives and issues around Korean, Chinese, and Laotian American communities. She is an aspiring English teacher who hopes to influence the next generation of writers, readers, Asian American scholars, and everyone in between. Special thanks to Dr. Paudyal, Dr. Huang, Dr. Cho, and Dr. Wang who guided them in the AAST program.
Sacha Llanto is a senior Public Health Science major and Asian American Studies minor. After graduation, he will work in the public health sector in Baltimore before pursuing a Master’s related to humanitarian health and epidemiology. This year, he is a head playwriter for the Philippine Cultural Night hosted by the Filipino Cultural Association. He would like to thank Dr. Paudyal, Dr. Cho, and Kai Kai Mascarenas for their tutelage, and hopes that these connections will persist far beyond graduation.
Katrina Manalang is a senior majoring in Public Health Science with a minor in Neuroscience. As a Filipino-Vietnamese American and current Advocacy Liaison of the Asian American Student Union, she is deeply passionate about exploring how culture redefines identity and honoring memories through storytelling. She is eager to share personal vignettes of her homecoming and paying homage to her family roots, reflecting on the theme that “home is where the heart is”. Beyond writing, she enjoys reading, watching movies, trying new recipes, and arts and crafts.
Sanjana Sankar is a recent UMD graduate with dual degrees in information science and finance. The Asian American Studies program provided a vital space to explore intersectional identities and complexities in American literature, and it continues to inspire her cross-cultural curiosity and creative explorations. As a passionate reader, she seeks out diverse voices and narratives that challenge perspectives and deepen understanding across cultures. She remains deeply grateful for her time at UMD and the rich discourse that shaped her worldview.
Hannah Tran is a sophomore General Biology major and Asian American Studies minor. During her time at UMD, Hannah has discovered a passion for ethnographic research centering the stories of local immigrant communities. Through this story, she was able to reflect on her family’s experiences with displacement, memory, and intergenerational conflict as Vietnamese Americans. Hannah is excited to continue with the AAST program and extends her gratitude to those who have encouraged her along the way.