Class of 2001: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, B.A. in Psychology

Interviewer: Kimberly Thai
Class of 2014: Nursing Major

I had the pleasure of talking and laughing with 2001 alum Xuan Chau over delicious Thai food. We shared similar college experiences and bonded over the fact that we shared mutual friends. Although Xuan graduated over 10 years ago, you may have noticed his face at AsACC. It may take some searching but you can spot a college-aged Xuan on the AsACC timeline in a photo with other students all donning black “Got Rice?” t-shirts. During one of our many discussions about seemingly random things, he explained that he created the t-shirts with fellow 2001 alum Thao Nguyen and introduced it during Asian Nite. Xuan and Thao created the shirts with the purpose of spreading AsACC’s message and mission statement. Naturally, one would associate the shirt with people of Asian descent but Xuan didn’t want just the Asian and Asian American students wearing the t-shirts. He made a point of selling the shirts to well-known students on campus that were not of Asian descent as a way to get his message across and to promote dialogue. Over 500 shirts were sold and were even worn in a bakery in Japan and marketed to other schools in the tri-state area. This is just one of example of how Xuan worked alongside the Center to orchestrate political movements on campus and shows how he lives up to his mantra of “thinking big”.

Xuan stresses the importance of not “pigeonholing yourself”. During his undergraduate years, he made a point of bringing the centers together so that everyone is involved and in turn, also gets their message across. He thanks Angela, Sheila, and the presence of the Asian American Cultural Center in general for this and also for the development of his personality and his Asian American identity. Xuan was first introduced to the Center during the second day of his college career when he just happened to stop by at a meet and greet type of orientation event that Angela was holding at what was the first location of AsACC. This event being what he credits as one of the fondest memories of his college career (besides meeting his wife!).

“I always remembered Angela speaking that day. The way she was so confident and a great role model. That always resonated with me. Up until that point, I never thought of myself as Asian. It wasn’t until sophomore year that I became active.”

When I asked what he would do if he had a chance to redo some part of his undergraduate years at UConn, Xuan responded that besides one of those things being attending a basketball game, he would have liked to have had the knowledge that he has now. “Thing would be completely different if I knew what I know now,” states Xuan, “But things happen for a reason and I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am now if it weren’t for that.” As UConn students, we are protected in this little bubble that we know as our campus. However, once we graduate, we realize that there is still so much out there and so much that we haven’t learned. He recommends that students take advantage of their time at UConn if they really want to get the most out of it. He jokes, “Knowing what I know now, I am going to teach my kid everything. He’ll rule the world!” Additionally, Xuan advises students to be “the artist” in any situation they are put in.

“A lot of the specialists in certain fields hire artists to give their view of something — on how to make things better. Let’s say group of engineers are trying to make a cogwheel. They bring in a painter to make a cogwheel. It may take a little longer but it may be a little more efficient because they are thinking outside the box. Different views can mean better things. It’s always good to challenge yourself. Even in photography and in my job, certain protocols were old and not working. That is my take on the world. Make things look different. Make people look at things a different way.”

Outside of talk of AsACC, I was able to connect with Xuan on that fact that we were both psychology and premed majors during undergrad. He is a now a supervisor of about 55 to 65 people on a clinical team in an anatomic pathology lab where he draws upon the prior knowledge he gained from his classes at UConn. On the side, he does wedding photography which started as almost a joke with his brother-in-law when they decided to take up a photography assignment of a last minute wedding. The photos turned out great and Xuan and his team celebrated success as they did as many as 12 weddings one year and were able to travel as far as the Dominican Republic. In addition to wedding photography, Xuan also enjoys crafting Faberge eggs. One of his proudest creations is the one that topped his wedding cake when he and his wife got married. He now happily resides on the shoreline of Connecticut with his wife and son, Ethan Fox, who just celebrated his first birthday!

Class of 2009: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, major in Mollecular and Cellular Biology, minor in Sociology

Interviewer: Shurui Dai
Asaintation Mentoring Program, Coodinator
Class of 2014: School of Pharmacy, PharmD

Kristine Din is a current Residence Hall Director at the University Connecticut and a diehard AsACC Alum. I’ve gotten to know her through her visits to the Center in the past two years. Her beauty, grace, and easy going attitude never ceased to amaze me. It was always interesting to hear the stories she had to share about the center but now I share her story with you.

What did you do post- graduation from UConn?

Oh gosh. So…I had a quarter life crises. I graduated from UConn in 2009 with a degree in Microbiology with a minor in Sociology. For my whole life I thought I’d go to medical school. But I did nothing related to science when I graduated. I applied to a lot of different jobs but I found myself working with a branch of Americorp called Public Allies. Part of my job was to work at a public school in New Haven. In this neighborhood it was lower socioeconomic background, and I worked with the K-8 students in an afterschool program. Nobody was white so it was fascinating to be a part of it.

How did you plan to go to medical school and then…not?

So I did a lot of reflecting my senior year. I thought that med school would provide fulfillment and happiness, and not that it wouldn’t have, but I felt like something else would be better. I thought about the things I was involved with especially the Center and how I liked working with my peers. So I thought education would fulfill what I’m looking for in a career. I don’t think there was one “a-ha” moment but multiple due to my experiences here and working with students was what I really wanted to do.

So what did you do after Americorp?

During that year of work I also took the GRE’s and applied to graduate schools for higher education and student affairs programs. I applied to 3 schools:  Vanderbilt, University of Vermont, and UConn. Ultimately I went to UVM, which was another decision where I was like “is this right for me” because it is Vermont, boonies, white people of America. Am I going to be okay? But as much as I struggled, I loved it all the same. I think the year of working did me well as it was nice to apply myself outside the classroom. The gap year was healthy for me and I enjoyed it.

How did you end up back here?

So my life is a series of interesting events. Two years of grad school goes by really fast. When I was job searching at the end of my two year program, I applied to a lot of schools in New England. There was no expectation of me coming back here but when I interviewed with all the schools, it was ironic to me that this made sense again. I think the theme is that I rely on my gut instinct, which is usually right. But after going to all the schools and learning about other’s people missions, I wanted to be in a place where I felt valued and could do great work. Of course I have a natural affinity for UConn because I was raised in the Cultural Center by two wonderful people named Angela and Sheila and Kenny when he was here. I was afraid that I would regret coming back here and I didn’t know if it would be weird. At first it was like a blast from the past, because the last time I was here as a student.

How was your undergraduate experience at the Center?

I went to AMP Kickoff in the August of 2005 and it was still in the red little building by Wilbur Cross. So that was where registration was and we had Asiantation outside in tents, luckily the weather was nice. So before I went I looked at my map like a typical freshman, and I found it thank god! I remember having a lot of fun and participating in all those ice breakers that I make my students do now. It’s cool to be in a community that was just here and I didn’t have that in my private high school where most people were white. After leaving AMP that day I didn’t even think I would be involved in the Center. But because of the people that I knew and met, I was involved in Lipsync, FASA, and eventually I applied to be an AMP mentor.

Did you have a good relationship with your mentor?

I did. He was a lot of fun! He’s name is Rob, Robert Kwon. We didn’t meet all the time but he was always there when I wanted to talk to him. A lot of our interactions were casual and social. He was really great and I appreciated him because he connected me to a lot of people he knew, so it was a lot easier to create a network.

How did you start coming to the Center?

I think I became the person that came here pretty quickly. I liked to go to the center to study once in a while but when once I really understood the deeper purpose AsACC was when I realized how important the space was to me. It’s funny because I attach so much meaning to a series of rooms, like when you put these rooms together and call it a magical place. Once I knew this place was going to help me grow not only as a student but also a person who identifies as Filipina and Asian American, I quickly grew an attachment for it. I want to represent it well wherever I went.

When did you feel that you knew the deeper meaning of the Cultural Center?

The first thing that comes to mind is Angela’s class because I always knew that I identified as Filipina because the world doesn’t let you forget. The world doesn’t let you forget who you are because we live in a racist world. Coming to the center I could be in a space free from the bullshit. I could be in a series of rooms that I attach so much meaning to without feeling like I’m the only one that looks like me. When I learned the history of this place and why we were birthed is when I really started to understand. I think I always had an understanding of race and why it was important to me, but I never really had the time or opportunity to really delve into what it means to be Filipina American living in CT, and this country,  and let alone in the world. It was definitely the class for sure, because it was just a bunch of us trying to figure out who we are and sharing those identity papers. I knew this place had a deeper meaning than a place to just hangout.

Having a place like this for me and students like me is sacred in a way. It is also a place to educate those who don’t understand what our experience is like.

How do you think the Cultural Center has changed since you graduated?

The programs in existence have evolved. When I look at KUBE and it involves PRLACC; it was never like that when I was here. Or the way AMP has evolved, and how many freshmen and transfers are API. Those numbers blow my mind because it was nothing like that when I was a Coordinator. Or even looking at the size of some student orgs and seeing how many students are involved. I feel like our population is growing and our reach is also growing. We have so much potential to influence and create change on this campus. I’m always hoping the students who funnel in and out of here become aware of that because we are the largest student of color on this campus. I feel like there is so much power in numbers.

What were you involved with on campus?

I did a lot of things with Community Outreach. I went on a lot of alternative breaks, weekends, service trips which I really enjoyed. It provided me the opportunity to examine my own privileged lifestyle and to see what it was like for other people and their narratives. But you know service trips are so fleeting, so I always remind myself that I’m lucky to go into this and come out.

In the center I was the Coordinator of AMP for 2 years and I was a mentor for one year. I was also FASA’s president for 2 years and vice president for 1 year.

How did you juggle that with school?

I knew why I loved it so much and why education was a path for me because I devoted so much time and energy to these organizations that I was a part of. It was never tiring for me except when I had to study because then I had to sleep late.

What was your favorite moment of college?

This one probably will never die but I was homecoming queen when I was a senior. Even years later (I won 5 years ago), there are still moments where people are like: weren’t you the homecoming queen? It’s still going…haha, maybe it will keep going. I bring that bring up because it was such a great moment not only for me, because I’m very anti-pageant, but it was great moment for the Center. That night when I won, I was confused like I did it? I won? But at the same time I felt immense pride for who we are as a community and it just felt good to bring that crown home where it rightfully belongs. I went in knowing that I was not only representing myself, but also people who believed in me.

And your worst moment of college?

In my Junior year my family was going through a lot, and I couldn’t always be there.  Then my senior year, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was preparing to graduate. I haven’t been really able to talk about it until now. Now I think this internalized trauma is leaving my body. When I was a senior, I had gone for tests and things so I was really excited to graduate. Around graduation time was when I got the news that my tests weren’t right. It wasn’t super advanced where I had to undergo surgery but I thanked god every day. I mean I thought I was invincible because I was 20 years old. It was a reality check because I don’t’ look at life the same way after that. I really don’t take things for granted and I tell the people I love that I love them all the time.

What advice would you give to current UConn students?

I think it’s important to remember how we are connected. The things that I do in this world will impact the people around me. I hope the students here will appreciate what we have here and share the goodness of the center.

Class of 2010: Individualized Major, Psychology & Asian Americans in the U.S. Legal System
Class of 2012: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)

Interviewer: Sally Park
AsACC Student Staff Member
Class of 2016: Communication Major

What did you do post-graduation from UConn? 

When I graduated, I was torn between going to law school or getting my Masters of Social Work because I was very interested in policy and community work. After consulting with Angela, Sheila, Cathy Schlund-Vials and my family members, I decided to attend the UCONN School of Social Work with a concentration in Community Organization. During my time at UCONN SSW, I worked at Asian Family Services, a program of Community Renewal Team, Inc. and the United Nations. After I received my Masters of Social Work, I decided to pursue my law degree. Now, I currently attend New England Law in Boston.

I also currently am serving a three-year term as the Board of Director for the East Coast Asian American Student Union (ECAASU). ECAASU is the largest and oldest student intercollegiate nonprofit. Its mission is to inspire, educate, and empower those interested in AAPI issues.

Where have you worked and where do you currently work? 

I currently am a Rappaport Fellow in Law and Public Policy at Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC). MHLAC is an independent state agency that represents low-income persons with mental health disabilities and provides information on mental health legal matters to people throughout the Commonwealth, clinicians, family members, the judiciary, and the legislature. My current work is involved on a public policy level. In addition to providing assistance and advocacy to clients who call MHLAC for assistance through our intake line, I also am involved with organizing to pass a law that makes it more difficult to arrest students for nonviolent behavior, as well as representing mental health concerns in the healthcare field within the State Legislature. Prior to law school, I completed two year-long internships at the United Nations advocating for social development and girls rights, and as well as at Asian Family Services, a program of Community Renewal Team, Inc.

What was your major?

I was a double major in Psychology and an Individualized Major called “Asian Americans in the U.S. Legal System.”

Did you live on campus while you were a student? 

I lived in North for two years, Charter Oak Apartments and then Hilltop Apartments.

How often do you visit? Have you been back to campus since graduation?

When I lived in Connecticut and had a car during my MSW program, I would visit Storrs at least once a month for AsACC programs. However, since moving to Boston, I have been to Storrs only once for the Kal Penn event.

What were you involved in while in undergrad?

During undergrad, I was involved Kids & UCONN Bridging Education (KUBE) and served as co-coordinator. I also was involved with collaboration events with the AACC and the Rainbow Center such as serving as a panelist on the Faces of Diversity Panel. I was a staff member at AsACC and was an employee of UCONN Recreational Services.

What advice do you have for current students? 

Life is what you make of it. Don’t sit by and expect things to be handed to you. If you are unhappy or not satisfied with something, then change it. You have the power to make a difference in your life and potentially another life as well.

What are some of your memorable moments at UConn? 

Some of the most memorable moments I had at UCONN were with my friends that I made at AsACC. However, my most memorable moment as AsACC was finding my identity and finding my sense of self. I was very conflicted about who I was and what I wanted to do, and AsACC helped put everything into perspective for me.

What did you enjoy about AsACC? 

I enjoyed the second home that I found at AsACC. I loved having a place to go and having three pillars of support when I needed it through Angela, Sheila and the GA at the time (Kenny or Merz).

What do you miss most about it? 

The thing that I miss the most is being around students who are just as passionate as I was about the issues. There is nothing like the enthusiasm of a college student, and being with other like-minded college students who feel the same way you do, is extremely special.

How did your involvement in AsACC impact your life?

My involvement at AsACC actually shaped my future career. Coming into UCONN, I wanted to be a corporate attorney, however after being involved with AsACC, I learned about the issue affecting the AAPI community. As a result, I no longer want to be a corporate attorney but a public interest attorney representing the AAPI community’s needs on an individual and political level. It has also encouraged me to be involved with the community, which is why I serve on the Board for ECAASU, and several other organizations here in Boston.

 

Sally and AsACC would like to Nicole for sharing both her insight and experiences with us!