Class of 2007: History Major and Asian American Studies Minor
Class of 2013: Master’s Degree in Social Work

Interviewer: Xi Lin
AsACC Student Staff Member
Class of 2015: Speech Language and Hearing Science Major

I had the pleasure to meet and enjoy a lovely afternoon at the UConn Dairy Bar with Sou. We had a conversation about her life before, while and after leaving UConn.

Sou was a History major and Asian American Studies minor while studying as an undergraduate at UConn. Since she was originally from the Manchester area, she did not live on campus and instead she commuted daily. Even though she did not get to experience what living on campus is like, but she did not feel like she missed out anything at all. Being a commuter student is one of the biggest reason how the Asian American Cultural Center(AsACC) became a big part of her undergraduate studies at UConn. She would visit the Center during her spare time for relaxing and eating. She did not start coming to AsACC through the Mentoring Program (AMP) like how most people started coming to the Center, instead a friend of hers from high school introduced this place to her. One of her friend asked her one day “Hey Sou, you wanna come for some free food?” the answer was yes of course. After attending the event she never left the Center and stuck with the Center for the rest of her college experience at UConn. She became a staff member at the center and that place became her second home.

Sou was not one of the students who knew right the way of what she wanted to do with her life, she was very confused and lost for her freshmen and sophomore year. One day she came crying to Angela(the Director of AsACC) and said that she doesn’t know what to do with her life but all she knows is that she wants to help others. After telling Angela, Angela helped her out by connecting her with one of her friends and got her a Case Management Position. That is where Sou spent 3 years of her life helping people after she graduated from UConn. While she was working as a case manager, she realized how knowledge deficit she was; therefore, she decided to come back to school.  She choose UConn to pursue her master’s degree in Social Work because she had loved UConn so much as an undergraduate student.

Sou was able to find what she likes and work with what she likes. She enjoys her job right now as an Advisor and she really wishes that everyone can and will find what makes them happy and practical at the same time. This is what she told me that inspired her the most: “You have the rest of your life to work so at least find a job that you love.”

Class of 2010
Molecular and Cell Biology & Cultural Diversity and International Health Studies Double Major

Interviewer: Josh Andrade
Class of 2014, Molecular and Cell Biology Major

I had the pleasure of speaking with Monica Shah about her time at AsACC, UConn, and post-graduation experiences.

When attending the university, she began as a Molecular and Cell Biology major on the pre-med track. Her interests took a shift over the years, however, and she graduated with an individualized major geared towards healthcare management. We’ll get to how she’s using what she’s learned to make steps to change the world (literally) in a bit.

Her involvement with AsACC began when she became a mentor then coordinator for the Asiantation Mentoring Program. After this, she could always be found at the center, simply hanging out with everyone there (she even was awarded the superlative “Most likely to be seen at AsACC”). Her amazing personality continued to shine through as AsACC’s candidate for the Homecoming Royalty Pageant and emcee for Asian Night. Also, she organized Styles of Asia, a runway fashion show exhibiting traditional and pop fashion from East, South East, and South Asia. This event accomplished one of her goals in bringing the different organizations of the Pan Asian Council together.

Monica then took her talents to New York City and served as an AmeriCorps member working with the South Asian Youth Action or “SAYA!.” Here, she did a lot of fundraising and public relations work. Additionally in SAYA, Monica piloted a mentoring program with 10 students that was heavily influenced by AMP + KUBE.

To add if you like – I also worked as a comprehensive Case Manager for people who have HIV/AIDS and Medicaid at the AIDS Service Center of NYC  (ASCNYC) while also serving on the board of the American India Foundation New York Young Professional Chapter where we raised funds for children orphaned because of HIV/AIDS in India. At ASC – I managed everything from health, financial issues, homelessness, harm reduction, etc for over 60 clients.

After her time in NYC, Monica enrolled in Johns Hopkins where she is working towards her Masters of Health Administration. The program requires a one year residency, and Monica was matched to Johns Hopkins Singapore. The hospital is a smaller operation than most, which affords her the ability to work directly with managers and report directly to her CEO. She is deeply immersed with strategic planning and risk management which is helping the hospital remain accredited.  Singapore’s healthcare system is one of the best in the world, and Monica is making sure in stays that way!

She is one of only two Americans in her office. But that’s okay though, she enjoys being in such a multicultural environment as there are people from all over the world located in Singapore. She has described life there as expensive, but extremely amazing. She has taken advantage of Asia’s budget airline system and traveled to numerous other Asian countries. If you’d like to get more of a picture of Monica’s time in abroad, I’d encourage you to take a look at her blog here: http://myendlesssummerinsg.wordpress.com/

Again, it was awesome to meet and talk to Monica. She is truly an outstanding woman and representing AsACC and the Huskies well!

 

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!  

Class of 2007: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, B.A. in English
Interviewer: Gregory Chun
AsACC Student Staff Member
Class of 2015: Psychology Major, Neuroscience & Business Fundamentals Minors

Aamna Qureshi is a University of Connecticut Pakistani American graduate from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in English. She was born in Pakistan, the middle of three, but immigrated to the United States when she was about six months old to Shelton, Connecticut. Aamna grew up in the same town and went to the schools with the same name, after which she attended the University of Connecticut. She spent a lot of time in the Asian American Cultural Center, doing homework, some sleeping, and visiting on a daily basis. She got to know Angela and Sheila well and they helped shape her life and who she is. Aamna worked on the AsACC staff where she was a co-founder of the publication Catamaran, and spent two more years working on it and further developing it. She also helped plan the event with Kazi Nazrul Islam, a Bengali poet. In her senior year, she worked on the coordination and planning of Senior Night. Aamna also was involved with AMP, in being both a mentor and mentee, and KUBE, when it was known as Killingly and UConn Bridging Education.

She graduated in 2007 and went to the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School and got her Masters in Teacher Secondary Education Program. She currently works with first year college students or students with disabilities at the University of Bridgeport and is the Director of the Student Support Services. The Student Support Services helps college students, who are the first to attend college in their family, with anything that might come up.

Aamna was heavily influenced by the philosophies of both Director Angela Rola and Assistant Director Sheila Kucko where Angela always knew just what to say and Sheila had an open door policy.  She visits UConn frequently but misses the sense of community and family that was formed by AsACC, and especially misses Horsebarn Hill.

She advises current students to do what you are doing now, since it will last as long as you live and to find a mentor. However, not studying abroad is her biggest regret from her time at UConn.

Greg and AsACC would like to thank Aamna for taking the time to share her experiences with us. We hope Aamna all the best in her current position with the University of Bridgeport, and welcome her to stop by the next time she is visiting UConn!

Class of 2004: B.A. in English
Class of 2006: M.A. in Higher Education & Student Affairs

Interviewer: Athena Tao

AsACC Student Staff Member
Class of 2016: PharmD

Jeff: Past & Present

Jeff Alton is currently the Associate Director of the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center at University of Illinois at Chicago. He is in charge of the Asian American Mentoring Program and programming such as the Lunch Box Series, College Day, and inviting speakers to campus.

After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a minor in Asian Americans Studies, Jeff continued at Uconn to earn a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Jeff’s first job after graduation was at University of Georgia working in Multicultural Programs. He then moved to Chicago for the city scene where he loves his current job and working with Asian American students on campus. The only complaint he has about Chicago is that it is very cold—much colder than Connecticut!

In his undergraduate years at UConn, Jeff was a mentor in the Asiantation Mentoring Program (AMP), president of the Filipino American Students Association (FASA) and was involved with the Asian American Students Association (AASA). He was very involved, participating in Homecoming, going to basketball games and playing volleyball.

Jeff’s favorite memory of UConn was during the Final Four against Duke University in 2004. He and his friends were watching the game at Hilltop Apartments, and near the end of the game he heard everyone banging their feet on the floor since UConn won the game! Everyone in the building erupted into cheers, and Jeff went to Gampel to celebrate with hundreds of other UConn students. On the way, a live news crew stopped Jeff and his friends, asking them to be in the background. His dad even called Jeff to tell him that he had seen him on TV!

Jeff’s favorite moments in AsACC were all of the conversations that he had with Angela and Sheila. Anytime he was feeling up or down, they are always there to make insightful comments. He saw AsACC as one big happy family and he misses AsACC dearly. He strives to make his Asian American Resource and Cultural Center the same way. Jeff believes UConn’s Asian American Cultural Center is one of the best in the country and a model for everyone.

Reflecting back, Jeff really believes college is the best time of your life. He says that at no other time will you have the amount of opportunities to try new things, make mistakes, and be guided through them. In real life, travel and learning cost a lot more and there is less time to do them. Therefore, his advice to seniors is to enjoy the time as much as possible and cherish it dearly. Jeff notes that there is no other time to do whatever you want (but be safe of course!). His message is to “use this time to discover yourself and love what you’re doing. It’s important to figure that out now and don’t be afraid to follow your heart. You’ll be happier in the long run! Then, come back in five or ten years and give back to the campus and the community that helped you along.”

Jeff would like to tell the seniors that if the first six months in the real world, working your first job, is kind of depressing. He says that you’re truly on your own with no safety net. If you mess up on a project, you’re most likely fired. If you don’t pay rent, you’re going to be evicted. Budgeting becomes your most precious skill and you find most of your paycheck going towards living expenses. All of this you just have to get used to. Be patient, and things will start to make sense.

To help you through this period, Jeff suggests looking for mentors to guide you—talk to them and form relationships. Your mentors in the real world are different; they’re not going to tell you what to do but instead only listen to your ideas and give you suggestions.

Lastly, Jeff says “give Angela and Sheila a hug when you can!” He thinks they are the two most amazing women and the best supervisors you’ll ever have. Jeff will be back when he can to give them a hug himself; he misses the close relationships he formed during his time in AsACC. Lastly, Jeff says AsACC helped him find what he wanted to do with his life. The Asian American Cultural Center would like to thank Jeff for taking time out of his busy schedule to chat with us. We hope to see you back at AsACC someday soon!