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Candidates' Information
President
* Neha Singhal
Vice President of Adminstrative Affairs
* Boosaba Pananon
Vice President of Programming
* Dien Nguyen
Vice President of Finance
* Karen Tan
* Zhe Shan
Vice President of Advocacy
* Kumudha Kumarachandran
* Yibo (Jac) Gong
Vice President of External Affairs
* Isaac Kim
Vice President of Internal Affairs
* Tiffany Yee
President
Neha Singhal
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of President? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
I am interested in serving in the position of President because I believe that through this position I can contribute a great amount to the AASU community. Through my two years of experience on the AASU Executive Board, I feel that I have developed a deep understanding of the importance of AASU and how to effectively sustain the organization. I strongly believe in AASU's mission to unify the community and as President, I would diligently serve, represent, and advocate for the APA community on campus. Currently, I feel that there might be a disconnect in the community and I want to serve as President of AASU in order to effectively address the issue to bring the community together. I feel that I have a good grasp on Asian American issues and needs, and because of this I can serve as the political voice of the community. Other qualities I will bring to the AASU include the ability to work well in groups, a strong belief in social justice, effective leadership skills, enthusiasm for APA issues and a positive attitude in general.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
Along with gaining leadership skills and contributing to the APA community, one of my personal goals for this position include wanting to effectively advocate on behalf of the APA community at UMD. I also want to have an impact on my community through the promotion of unity among all APA groups since there are many diverse APA groups on campus. Another personal goal is the development of my fellow board members as active leaders in our community and the development of the APA community large. I would like to encourage students to achieve increased awareness about Asian American issues including immigration, our role in politics, anti-discrimination/hate crimes and many more topics relating to social justice. As President, I believe that I can accomplish these goals and create increased awareness about important issues in the community in order to help the growth of the AASU as a progressive organization that is committed to social justice.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
In group settings, I take on a leadership role while also being an effective member of the team. I believe in accountability and tend to exercise my leadership by delegating tasks to different team members to ensure that everyone is contributing something to the group. I find it is also important to regularly check in on individuals to make sure that tasks are being completed in a timely fashion and that they are getting the support they need. I also try to get everyone involved by discussing the topic at hand, and encourage others to share their opinion. I think the key to working well in group settings is being able to understand what input others are giving while contributing one’s own ideas. I believe that the AASU E-board operates more as a collective than a hierarchy, thus my leadership style reflects this as I work on the board.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
I would make an effort to reach out to different students who perhaps aren’t initially interested in AASU by first trying to understand why they are not interested and what would make them interested in the AASU and its activities. After gauging their needs, I would work to address those specific needs in order to make AASU as inclusive as possible so that any student on campus feels welcome regardless of their background. Additionally, in order to achieve the desired level of multiculturalism, I would encourage people from all different types of communities to participate in AASU activities while also encouraging APAs to participate in programs held by other groups on campus.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
It is imperative that AASU reach out to non-APA communities because our greater goal should be that of creating solidarity among all marginalized communities. For example, many diverse groups tackle the same issues as Asian Americans everyday such as hate crimes, being historically marginalized in the country, discrimination, and immigration issues. One of my goals for next year is to reach out to the LSU, BSU, AISU, Pride Alliance and other groups in order to build more of a united front on this campus. I am proud that the E-board has created strong alliances with the LSU and Pride Alliance this past year, and I would like to continue to strengthen those relationships as well as build more relations with others. Additionally, as President I would help AASU in the effort to build solidarity by working more closely with multicultural offices on this campus such as OMSE and MICA. It is important for us to work together to coordinate events with all student groups on this campus in order to have discussions about what we all have in common and how we can work together to create social change.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
The most important part of AASU's mission is "To promote the development of a pan-Asian Pacific American community that is connected to and collaborates with other cultural communities" because it is important for us to be able to connect with the broader community, while achieving unity in our own community. This way, we can all help fight injustices through a united front and come together to solve community issues. Currently, there is still not unity within the AASU community as often times South Asian Americans do not necessarily identify as APA or are not seen as such by society. As President, I will work to rectify the situation by effectively working within the community to understand why divisions still exist and how AASU E-board can facilitate the progression toward the pan-Asian Pacific American community. I also plan on fulfilling this part of the mission by organizing events that aim to build bridges between AASU and other organizations on campus that will empower and educate students on important issues facing our community and all communities.
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Vice President of Administrative Affairs
Boosaba Pananon
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Administrative Affairs? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
There are many things that interest me about serving as Vice President of Administrative Affairs. First of all, as Vice President of Administrative Affairs, I will be able to work closely with the President, a great opportunity for me to learn through observation about what it takes to run a large student organization. Secondly, I have the ability to work with the web master to archive information on the AASU website, an opportunity that will allow me to have an impact on the way our organization is viewed by others at other college campuses, outside organizations, and on a larger scale, people around the world. Furthermore, as Vice President of Administrative Affairs, when finished with my secretarial duties, I have the opportunity to help the rest of the officers with their work, learning whatever I can from them, and strengthening our friendships.
As Vice President of Administrative Affairs, I will bring energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to the AASU family. I will be a voice for Southeast Asians in conversation and advocacy efforts, while also reaching out to others of Southeast Asian descent to encourage them too to take part in the activities that AASU sponsors. When it comes to the AASU family, I will be supportive and encouraging when work gets tough. When in conflict, I am best at being neutral, so I will bring a good ear to AASU. I will listen to both sides of the story, mediate, and do a good job of keeping people focused on the end result. Furthermore, as a responsible, organized, and neat individual, I will be able to provide constructive criticism to others when appropriate, always finding ways to make things better.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
As Vice President of Administrative Affairs, I hope to maintain whatever system has been created to archive AASU materials and minutes, but also to improve the system, making it organized, easy to access by the AASU executive board, and easy to maintain for future AASU executive boards in following years. I also hope to work with the Webmaster to make the AASU website informative, interesting, and as up-to-date as possible.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
In all settings, but especially in group settings, I try my best to be as inclusive and empowering as possible. By being inclusive and empowering I mean creating an environment that is conducive to the contribution of ideas, free from ridicule. Before any decision is made concerning the group, I ask for each person’s input. In this way, I seek to include and empower all. Furthermore, if I notice that someone in the group needs help, I am always one of the first to offer my help to them. Apart from the actual group work, I myself am very dedicated, hardworking, and highly responsible when it comes to work, especially work for the team. If I commit to doing something by a certain time, I will always strive to have it done to the best of my ability, contributing to the overall success of the team.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
I was once told that the best way to get people to care about something is to get people to care about the person standing for whatever that something may be. Applying what I have learned, I will continue to make friends from all different backgrounds, build relationships with my professors and other UMCP staff, while doing my best to represent AASU well, always making sure others know that AASU activities and events are inclusive, interesting, and important. When programming takes place, I would be sure to ask the question, how can we make this appealing to all people (of different backgrounds, ages, positions in the school, academic majors, etc.)? As long as we as AASU can provide an answer to this question in regards to activities and events, I feel that we are doing our job. With this answer we can approach our friends and peers, inviting them to inclusive, interesting, and important events and activities.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
It is important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities because a lot of the issues that we may face are being or have been faced by other communities. It is important to learn from each other, offer guidance to each other, form coalitions, and gather support from all kinds of people. The more people, the more strength, and a more efficient way to take action. I would help lead AASU in reaching out to non-APA communities my continuing to make friends from all different backgrounds. As I make these friends and connections, I would find out more about the clubs and organizations that they are involved with. Eventually, I would mention something about collaboration and hope to meet with and speak to leaders of those organizations should they want to work together in some way, shape, or form.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
I believe one of the most important aspects of AASU’s mission is the aim of providing advocacy for the APA community at the University of Maryland. As an American born Thai, before becoming more involved with the AASU, I felt that I was cultured and aware. Over the course of this year, I have learned that I know more about my direct Thai culture, including the beliefs and customs I have learned, rather than understanding issues concerning my Asian American heritage. In fact, I knew very little about the issues concerning APA’s today. A key part of advocacy is education. People can not stand up for themselves unless they are educated on the facts. Many students are unaware, unable to identify, or just naive about the issues they face when they identify as both Asian and American, and they fail to realize that these are issues that impact all APA’s across the country. As an executive board member on AASU, I intend on learning more about my APA heritage and sharing this knowledge with other APA’s on campus. By paying more attention to the news, maintaining a good relationship with the AAST department, taking classes in AAST, and openly communicating with others about APA issues, I hope to bring up ideas with the VP of Advocacy and VP of Programming, creating more programs that inform others about APA heritage. I also intend on encouraging my peers to take classes in AAST so that they can learn more about the unique culture of which they are a part of. As people learn more about APA issues, they will be able to stand up and let their voices be heard.
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Vice President of Programming
Dien Nguyen
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Programming? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
After actively participating in the Asian American Student Union through Freshmen Council, APA1, attending ECASSU, and attending the various events of AASU, I want to take a larger role within these events. It is my desire to create events that will draw bigger crowds and wider range of support from the Maryland community as a whole. My organizational skills, creativity, and my willingness to go and talk to all affiliated organizations and people to ask for ideas and support in order to take those ideas and ensure everyone has their say in everything that I do. I will ensure that everything flows smoothly to the best of my ability and I will always remain calm in the midst of crunch time and be able to direct to ensure that everything gets done.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
My personal goals as VP of Programming is to continually improve the events that we host or assist in hosting. It is my intention to make sure everyone understands the meaning behind each of our events because there are the social events that we do and there are the important cultural events whose purpose is to connect to the community and raise awareness. I will work towards devising events that will draw support as much as possible from non-APA organizations on campus by working closely with the VP of External and going and talking to other organizations to incorporate ideas together.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
I work very well in a group setting ensuring that everything gets done and making sure that everyone has their say. In addition, I am will take on the leadership role if needed and I am open to all ideas and opinions.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
I would convince them to come out to one of our events and show them what AASU is truly about and what it really means to be an Asian Pacific American and the hardships that APAs has had to endure through the 20th century. Because people are so uneducated or don’t realize what AASU is about, my work will be geared towards ensuring that they gain a better understanding of it.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
As VP of Programming, it will be my job to create events that will educate not only the APA community but get our voice heard within our events to non-APA organizations. I will plan events that will represent the wide spectrum of cultures and what it is that we have to offer. I will make sure that other organizations understand how active AASU is within the Maryland community. Through VP of Programming, I will personally talk to individuals and through the events that I will plan to gain a wider network and increase the amount of cooperation between all organizations on campus.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
The most important thing I think for AASU is to show the community that we are not pacifist and secluded. Instead, we are active in our efforts, and that we have a strong voice to proclaim our opinions and ideas. I will do everything in my power to contact all non-APA organizations and speak to them about our efforts and events throughout the year to gain their interest. I want to show them everything that we are doing and hopefully gain their support so that there is more cooperation between all organizations on campus. I want the events to incorporate a larger spectrum of organizations so that hopefully all APA organizations will become more interested in working together on events. I will personally ask each organization for help in coming out to meetings and bringing their ideas so that they do no feel that their ideas are not represented within AASU.
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Vice President of Finance
Karen Tan
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Finance? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
After having been on the AASU Executive Board the past two years, I have come to understand how crucial it is to manage the funds effectively and efficiently, and more importantly doing so to promote AASU. I want to be the person to do so, to ensure that money goes into programs, events, and meetings that gets AASU’s name out on campus and lets others aware of the causes we work for. In turn, this will help AASU strive towards its missions and goals. Aside from working towards AASU’s mission and goals, I would like to serve as Vice President of Finance to gain another perspective of what it is like being on the AASU Executive Board. I have been the Vice President of Administrative Affairs the past two years, and would like to experience the financial aspect of running AASU and making all that we do possible. I am a team player, open-minded, organized, detail oriented, and always up for challenges. I believe these are qualities are appropriate for serving as Vice President of Finance.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
On a personal level, as Vice President of Finance, I hope to gain hands-on experience as the main overseer of AASU funds. I would like see myself become more adept for the real world. I know working with AASU will involve working and meeting various people, working in groups, developing better time management skills, and other skills necessary for the real world. In addition, I would like my APA identity to continue to grow. Being on the board itself is a learning experience and I believe further AASU involvement will allow my APA identity to mature even more. On the organization level, I want to raise, or at least maintain AASU funds so it can be passed down to future AASU members. I recognize the importance of money when it comes to programming for AASU. Therefore, as Vice President of Finance, I want to assure future board members that there will be funds available for AASU’s missions and goals.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
In a group setting, I like everyone to be able to express any ideas and concerns they have. I believe we all have to be honest with one another in order to work together successfully. Moreover, I will always listen and be open-minded to what others have to say. I will express further ideas and concerns only when I must. But if something is reasonable, I find no reason to disagree or be uncooperative. Regarding work, I will accomplish what I have to do in a timely manner as well as help out other group members if they need assistance. I like to be supportive of my fellow group members and will tend to ask first in they need my help rather than one of them approaching me. I believe that interdependence in a group setting is essential to successfully accomplish whatever tasks. Therefore, I try to be as helpful and dependable of a group member I can be so we can all work together effectively to work towards what AASU stands for.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
To reach out to those that are uninterested in AASU and/or do not identify as APA, I will first ask them to take the time to learn more about AASU and what we do, and to also attend one of our events. I also think it is important and meaningful for AASU to attend events and meetings of student organizations that do not identify as APA. Doing so, they can see that even when they do not identify with AASU or the term APA, AASU will still be here as a support system. If I must, I am willing to tell students and organizations myself all the AASU and APA knowledge I know. I will further tell them my own personal experiences with AASU, and how I never thought I would be involved, yet I took a chance and it has become such a rewarding experience.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
It is essential to reach out to non-APA communities to promote APA awareness. Once we as APAs educate others on the APA experience can we break APA stereotypes, model minority myth and start to alleviate APA and minority struggles. Doing so, APAs and non-APAs are more likely to develop a mutual understanding that would allow for appreciation of diversity. Moreover, if APAs reach out to non-APA communities, coalitions are more likely to be developed. Coalition building is key in getting our voices heard by the government, to be seen in the media, and simply getting our thoughts across. Doing so, APA as well as non-APA community concerns can be expressed and addressed. This year, AASU has kept in close contact with non-APA groups such as the Latino Student Union and the contact has allowed both organizations to learn from one another and build stronger bonds. Again, by promoting awareness of AASU’s existence and purpose, we can reach out to other groups and begin to find common similarities and form those bonds built on mutual support. With this in mind, as a board member, I will work hard to develop and maintain relationships with non-APAs.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
I believe the most important part of the AASU mission is advocating for the APA community on campus. APAs make up 14.3% of the student population, making us the biggest minority on campus. Therefore, it is important again for us to promote APA awareness to cultivate understanding. Furthermore, there are so much APA-related issues that need to be addressed and as AASU, it should be one of our main priorities to get students to recognize them. For example, many were unaware and failed to recognize the significance of the Virginia Tech backlash on campus. Because of AASU’s efforts to urge administration that to take action, today we have made progress on making discrimination reporting more accessible for students. As AASU, we need to educate the APA community through programs, speakers, word of mouth, and whatever it takes because ultimately APA issues concerns all of us, and it will take those that are aware to make a difference.
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Zhe Shan
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Finance? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
I am very interested in the VP of Finance position because I would like to become more involved with AASU, and put my skills and what I’ve learned in school and PDPsi to work for the greater APA community. The qualities that I will bring to AASU are an excellent drive for excellence, a hard-working attitude, and an invigorating go-getter attitude.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
My personal goals for this position are to increase the efficiency of the AASU financial situation, increase the treasury of AASU, and to meet new people.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
I like to take the lead in group work settings, but I am also open to any and all suggestions. I take pride in my work and I like to motivate the rest of my group to get things done and done well.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
First off, I have had significant contact through my positions in Pi Delta Psi with all the UGC organizations. I also have worked with SGA in the past. I would use these contacts to try to increase participation in APA events by non APA’s so we can spread more knowledge of our culture to the greater Maryland community
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
I believe that through more interaction with non APA’s peoples we can get rid of ignorance about the APA culture and get rid of the negative stereotypes attributed to APA’s. I would be willing to sit and talk with members of the non APA community and use my cultural chair background to enlighten them to what APA culture is really like.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
I think the most important mission of AASU is too facilitate other APA orgs and too unify them and also spread awareness of APA culture to the non APA community.
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Vice President of Advocacy
Kumudha Kumarachandran
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Advocacy? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
I am interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Advocacy because I feel that Asian American student community on campus needs a headstrong person to advocate on their behalf. I feel that often times in the programs and initiatives of the school's staff and administration often overlook the needs of the Asian American students. If elected as Vice President of Advocacy, I will go above and beyond to make sure that our needs are met and our voices are heard. I am also interested in advocacy because I like to keep myself and those around me up to date with what is going on in the broader APA movement. I feel that because I have a passion for activism in our community, I will be able to bring a great of knowledge and empowerment to the board.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
From working with the Asian American Student Union this year, I know that our community has been struggling to get the position of an APA counselor on campus. As the Vice President of Advocacy, I would like to continue fighting for this position. However, until that need is met, I would also like to the dimension of a peer counselor to this position. I feel that an important aspect of advocacy is hearing out individuals and the types of problems that they face as students of this university. I am willing to work with the counseling center in order be qualified for this aspect. In addition, I would like to do more work with the LGBTQ Asian Pacific American community. I feel that this group is not addressed by another position on the board, and is not recognized enough in AASU events. I would like to work with other LGBT APA students, to figure out their needs and struggles, and work toward a better future for them on this campus.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
When in group settings, I am very considerate of the views and ideas of others. I can accept criticism and deal with conflicts in a mature and respectful manner. I am good at generating new and creative ideas as well as being open minded about the ideas of others. I think it is important for a good student leader to be a good listener and be open-minded, but also stand up for what they believe is right.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
To reach out to other students organizations, who may not be interested in AASU, I would attend their meetings to show that we are interested in them. That way they see that we have a lot of respect for them and what they do, and hopefully return it. To reach out to other students, who may not be interested, I think it would be important to promote ourselves better, such as making fliers for the meetings or chalking up sidewalks, as well as branching out to incoming freshman at orientation or developing a mentorship program for new students.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
I think it is extremely important for the AASU to reach out to non-APA communities to dispel the ignorance in our society in regards to racial stereotyping and promoting equality in the human race. If we only stay within our own communities, then we will only leave room for discrimination and prejudice by others. As a transfer student, I was looking forward to coming to the University of Maryland because of the large diversity of the student body. However, I was disappointed when I got here because I found that people tended to self-segregate within their own race. I think we can fix this problem by collaborating with other cultural student unions for shows and events and also attend their shows and events.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
I think the most important mission of AASU is too facilitate other APA orgs and too unify them and also spread awareness of APA culture to the non APA community.
I feel the most important part of the AASU mission is "to provide a coalition for the formation of consensus and joint activities among the various APA student groups." This is important because APA groups do not get as much funding and support from the University as other groups, so it is important for us to come together in order to make a bigger impact on campus. As part of an organization that is just starting back up on campus, I feel that being part of the AASU has helped us become more involved in the community and I would like to help other small groups do the same.
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Yibo (Jac) Gong
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Advocacy? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
There are many reasons why I am attracted to the position of VP of Advocacy. Ever since elementary school, I was conscious of being an Asian American, and there was a lot of racism going towards me at then. I also witnessed racism targeted against other Asian Americans. From my observations then, there were those who internalized this racism and lost self-esteem, and those who became hyper-assertive of their pride of being an Asian American. I was one of the latter, but I never forgot those of the former, rather I looked to them as people of great potential. All they needed to regain their self-esteem was someone to talk to about it to come in terms with what they were facing and someone to stand with them against racial aggressions. So through middle school and high school, it became my passion to fight against racism and empowering Asian Americans with low self-esteem. Every time I succeed in stomping out any racial insecurity of an Asian American, I feel as if I have reversed something negative into something positive. Of course, we are now all young adults so the method of empowering APAs are now has to be completely different and the issues we face are far more complex. But when I read the description for this Advocacy position, the same passion arose in my heart as it did back then during those after-school conversations when I was younger.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
I want to reach out to those in the Asian American community here in Maryland who are not currently involved with APA student organizations.
I want to improve relations and maintain the momentum AASU currently has with all the organizations that it consists of.
I want to persuade more Asian Americans to be politically and civically active.
I want to see the materialization of an Asian American Studies major.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
I like to make sure everyone’s opinion is being taken into account. I like to be careful about making decisions with everyone else in order to prevent groupthink. I apply reason to the best of my ability during working in a group setting. I also like to facilitate discussion.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
For individual students, I want to establish an outreach committee dedicated solely to researching, brainstorming and having those results put to the test on the streets of the campus. I would also like to foster an environment in which APA students know that they are welcome, and that they are here not only to speculate, but also to participate in their community. This environment would be conducive to the unleashing of the human potential and creativity within the APA community here at campus.
For student organizations such as those under the umbrella of AASU, but do not identify or participate with AASU, I will attempt to find their individual interests and strike common ground with them. There are always common ground and incentives to be found for these organizations for participating in AASU, as benefiting the Asian Pacific American community directly benefits them also, as they are an essential sector of our community.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
While it is imperative to encourage awareness to members of the APA community, it is equally important that members of the non-APA communities be exposed to the same knowledge. If understanding of the APA community only stays within the APA community, then our greater campus community’s understanding of the APA community will not be in sync with ours. It is my goal to synchronize understanding of the APA community’s diversity and the issues we face, with the APA community and the greater campus community. I look forward to working with other non-APA student organizations on joint events and discussions to foster the sharing of diversity awareness and amplify our greater community’s spirit here on campus. I would especially like to work with non-APA student representative organizations to make progress on all our Ethnic Studies departments. Ethnic studies at Universities are powerful mediums in which knowledge of our diversity and our issues are transported into the heart of society.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
I believe the most important part of AASU’s mission is “to provide service, representation and advocacy for the APA community at the University of Maryland”. As a minority group on campus, the Asian American community requires services that cater to their unique needs, adequate and full representation from its community, and strong and visible advocacy to protect the well-being of its members. To achieve all this, it is mandatory that our organizations devote energy to community outreach. If we have more of our community’s inputs on its needs, we will have a better idea of what services our community needs. If we have more visibility and engagement of our community members with our organization, we can be a fuller representation of our community. If we have more involvement from our community, we can have a better chance when probing for racial injustice.
To serve and better understand the APA community’s needs and views is the greatest reward this position can offer me.
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Vice President of External Affairs
Isaac Kim
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of External Affairs? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
Currently, I am the Vice President of Programming for AASU. Working with the current board, I have really gained awareness of APA issues here on campus and abroad. After a year of running leadership conferences and events, I think I have found my niche in external affairs. Working closely with many of the board members, I truly found the external position to be most rewarding in my perspective. Not only creating open connections with alumni, the external position is also in charge of spearheading ECAASU and the DC alliance, both of which I am highly interested in pushing forward for the coming years. With a year of AASU under my belt, experience in programming, and a greater sense of awareness for APA issues, I am highly interested in serving as Vice President of External Affairs.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
As a Vice President of Programming, I have three personal goals I would want to accomplish. The first goal would be to continue open relations with AASU alumni. They have been an invaluable resource and have offered their wisdom in this semester dealing with AAST/AASU relations. It is key and important to continue to grow relations with the alumni for the upcoming years. Next, I would want to continue the D.C. Alliance with Georgetown, George Washington University, and UMBC. After the first DC Mixer, I truly realized how important AASU here at UMD is and how far we have really come. I want to see collaboration and really help establish the local schools AASU organizations. We have a lot to offer and they have a lot to give to us. Last, I want to bring ECAASU to Maryland College Park in 2010. Already helping with the planning process for the bid to enter for 2009, as VP of External, I would love to continue rolling the ball with ECAASU. Having ECAASU here at Maryland would be amazing, and with a DC Alliance behind our back, we can truly provide the East Coast a conference they won’t soon forget.
3. Describe your work style in group settings. My work style has definitely changed in the past year. Before, I felt I worked best by myself and never in groups. I’ve learned this year though that I really can’t put everything on my own shoulders. Working alone from time to time isn’t a bad thing, but having a group that has your back is key to success. I learned that the hard way this year and it is a lesson I won’t forget. Delegating responsibilities and having group members carry equal amounts of weight is the best group setting I work in.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
One way to reach out to students/organizations not interested in AASU or identify themselves as APA would be to host events that are really generic and open ended to the public. To elaborate, the Wong Fu Productions at Maryland was the perfect prime example. Hosting such an event brought out APAs we as the AASU exec board had NEVER seen before. About 75% of the room were APAs coming out to an AASU event for the first time ever and getting a taste of what AASU has to offer. I thought it was a great way to get those who never though much of AASU thinking that AASU may not be too bad. But this all comes from the Programming aspect of things. I believe the BEST WAY to reach out is really just to have one on one conversations with people and really show them through your own convictions and passion what AASU REALLY IS and WHAT AASU DOES. So many APA students on this campus have misperceptions of AASU or believe we isolate and segregate ourselves. One on one conversations really make the conversation intimate and heart to heart. I had one instance this semester with a heated conversation with a person who felt AASU was segregating the school and that all we did as AASU was host parties. After thirty minutes of battling it out, I was really able to show her that AASU was nothing like she thought it was and that in fact, it was building coalitions with minority organizations here and fighting for student rights.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
Reaching out to the non-APA community is crucial and extremely important. If it wasn’t for the Black Power movement in 1965, we as APAs would not be here today. Working with minority organizations in coalition and collaboration is the only way the administration will truly hear our voice. In this way, our voice cannot go unheard and unanswered. It was amazing to see LSU finally get their minor this year, and it was amazing to work with them and support them in the process. As VP of External Affairs, keeping connections with LSU, BSU, Pride Alliance, and the other minority organization would be one of my top priorities. We’re all in the fight and struggle together; why not push together? Collaboration through events, mixers, and especially rallies that deal with storming the president’s office (just not kidding :P) are just a few things that can be done to reach out to non-APA communities.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
Serving and advocating for the APAs on this campus is what I have taken to heart this past year. Really creating an environment where APAs can feel safe and really become aware of the issues surrounding them has been my goal for this year with educational leadership conferences and events. Serving and advocating for the APA community is something I want to continue to fulfill this upcoming year through a strong DC Alliance, connection with Alumni, and bringing ECAASU to Maryland for 2010!
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Vice President of Internal Affairs
Tiffany Yee
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Internal Affairs? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
I have been a very active member of AASU for the past two years, and I’ve invested a lot of time and energy into a cause that I feel very strongly about. To be completely honest, when I first joined the executive board this fall, I wasn’t informed about the heavy politics and advocacy based values of AASU. I just wanted to be involved on campus and meet other student leaders. This involvement opened so many doors I couldn’t even begin to imagine. The more experience I got, the more passionately I began to feel about AASU’s mission to represent the community. I opened my eyes to so many issues, most notably-- the ongoing battle to fight ignorance and apathy. The external position allowed me to explore communities beyond the APAs at College Park. I met APA student leaders from schools up and down the east coast and student leaders from non-APA organizations on campus. I found that the problems we face are so similar and I really began to see the larger picture. It’s important that organizations like AASU exist to lead a coalition, provide a unified front, and work towards a common goal. My passion and enthusiasm for the work I do is probably the most important quality I bring to AASU. I want to use the experiences from the external position to bring together the APA community on our campus and hopefully share the insight and knowledge I’ve gained.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
I feel that it’s important and necessary that we serve as a voice for the entire APA community. One personal goal for this position is getting more involvement from South Asian organizations. I hope to spread awareness to all APA organization, develop relationships with members of different organizations and break existing barriers. I will encourage more activism in the APA community and serve as a liaison between APA organizations. I hope to build AASU’s credibility as a true hub organization and achieve its mission to build coalitions. I will word towards making AASU’s goals more apparent to the rest of the community to better ensure effectiveness and productivity.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
I love working in groups, and I am very social. I’m outgoing and outspoken. I’m flexible and east to work with. Ask the 2007-2008 board
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
Drawing from my experiences as VP of External Affairs, I think I can rather easily explain to students not interested in AASU or those who don’t identify as APAs the importance of AASU and its mission. As a first-hand witness, I know it’s not an easy endeavor. It’s really important to first establish personal relationships and gain respect from peers. Being well-versed and well educated about the issues builds trust and reliability. It’s also important to balance work and play. Being sociable and approachable leads to an open and healthy relationship.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
As stated before, it’s important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities because, many times, our goals and needs are very similar. There is strength in numbers and our voices are better heard in unison. It’s imperative to have the support and assistance of as many communities as possible.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
For me, the most vital part of AASU’s mission is to advocate for the APA community and this means first bringing the community together to inform the ignorant, share ideas, and then figure out collective priorities and needs. Through advocacy, we are essentially serving the community and working towards a better future together.
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President
* Neha Singhal
Vice President of Adminstrative Affairs
* Boosaba Pananon
Vice President of Programming
* Dien Nguyen
Vice President of Finance
* Karen Tan
* Zhe Shan
Vice President of Advocacy
* Kumudha Kumarachandran
* Yibo (Jac) Gong
Vice President of External Affairs
* Isaac Kim
Vice President of Internal Affairs
* Tiffany Yee
President
Neha Singhal
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of President? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
I am interested in serving in the position of President because I believe that through this position I can contribute a great amount to the AASU community. Through my two years of experience on the AASU Executive Board, I feel that I have developed a deep understanding of the importance of AASU and how to effectively sustain the organization. I strongly believe in AASU's mission to unify the community and as President, I would diligently serve, represent, and advocate for the APA community on campus. Currently, I feel that there might be a disconnect in the community and I want to serve as President of AASU in order to effectively address the issue to bring the community together. I feel that I have a good grasp on Asian American issues and needs, and because of this I can serve as the political voice of the community. Other qualities I will bring to the AASU include the ability to work well in groups, a strong belief in social justice, effective leadership skills, enthusiasm for APA issues and a positive attitude in general.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
Along with gaining leadership skills and contributing to the APA community, one of my personal goals for this position include wanting to effectively advocate on behalf of the APA community at UMD. I also want to have an impact on my community through the promotion of unity among all APA groups since there are many diverse APA groups on campus. Another personal goal is the development of my fellow board members as active leaders in our community and the development of the APA community large. I would like to encourage students to achieve increased awareness about Asian American issues including immigration, our role in politics, anti-discrimination/hate crimes and many more topics relating to social justice. As President, I believe that I can accomplish these goals and create increased awareness about important issues in the community in order to help the growth of the AASU as a progressive organization that is committed to social justice.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
In group settings, I take on a leadership role while also being an effective member of the team. I believe in accountability and tend to exercise my leadership by delegating tasks to different team members to ensure that everyone is contributing something to the group. I find it is also important to regularly check in on individuals to make sure that tasks are being completed in a timely fashion and that they are getting the support they need. I also try to get everyone involved by discussing the topic at hand, and encourage others to share their opinion. I think the key to working well in group settings is being able to understand what input others are giving while contributing one’s own ideas. I believe that the AASU E-board operates more as a collective than a hierarchy, thus my leadership style reflects this as I work on the board.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
I would make an effort to reach out to different students who perhaps aren’t initially interested in AASU by first trying to understand why they are not interested and what would make them interested in the AASU and its activities. After gauging their needs, I would work to address those specific needs in order to make AASU as inclusive as possible so that any student on campus feels welcome regardless of their background. Additionally, in order to achieve the desired level of multiculturalism, I would encourage people from all different types of communities to participate in AASU activities while also encouraging APAs to participate in programs held by other groups on campus.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
It is imperative that AASU reach out to non-APA communities because our greater goal should be that of creating solidarity among all marginalized communities. For example, many diverse groups tackle the same issues as Asian Americans everyday such as hate crimes, being historically marginalized in the country, discrimination, and immigration issues. One of my goals for next year is to reach out to the LSU, BSU, AISU, Pride Alliance and other groups in order to build more of a united front on this campus. I am proud that the E-board has created strong alliances with the LSU and Pride Alliance this past year, and I would like to continue to strengthen those relationships as well as build more relations with others. Additionally, as President I would help AASU in the effort to build solidarity by working more closely with multicultural offices on this campus such as OMSE and MICA. It is important for us to work together to coordinate events with all student groups on this campus in order to have discussions about what we all have in common and how we can work together to create social change.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
The most important part of AASU's mission is "To promote the development of a pan-Asian Pacific American community that is connected to and collaborates with other cultural communities" because it is important for us to be able to connect with the broader community, while achieving unity in our own community. This way, we can all help fight injustices through a united front and come together to solve community issues. Currently, there is still not unity within the AASU community as often times South Asian Americans do not necessarily identify as APA or are not seen as such by society. As President, I will work to rectify the situation by effectively working within the community to understand why divisions still exist and how AASU E-board can facilitate the progression toward the pan-Asian Pacific American community. I also plan on fulfilling this part of the mission by organizing events that aim to build bridges between AASU and other organizations on campus that will empower and educate students on important issues facing our community and all communities.
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Vice President of Administrative Affairs
Boosaba Pananon
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Administrative Affairs? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
There are many things that interest me about serving as Vice President of Administrative Affairs. First of all, as Vice President of Administrative Affairs, I will be able to work closely with the President, a great opportunity for me to learn through observation about what it takes to run a large student organization. Secondly, I have the ability to work with the web master to archive information on the AASU website, an opportunity that will allow me to have an impact on the way our organization is viewed by others at other college campuses, outside organizations, and on a larger scale, people around the world. Furthermore, as Vice President of Administrative Affairs, when finished with my secretarial duties, I have the opportunity to help the rest of the officers with their work, learning whatever I can from them, and strengthening our friendships.
As Vice President of Administrative Affairs, I will bring energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to the AASU family. I will be a voice for Southeast Asians in conversation and advocacy efforts, while also reaching out to others of Southeast Asian descent to encourage them too to take part in the activities that AASU sponsors. When it comes to the AASU family, I will be supportive and encouraging when work gets tough. When in conflict, I am best at being neutral, so I will bring a good ear to AASU. I will listen to both sides of the story, mediate, and do a good job of keeping people focused on the end result. Furthermore, as a responsible, organized, and neat individual, I will be able to provide constructive criticism to others when appropriate, always finding ways to make things better.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
As Vice President of Administrative Affairs, I hope to maintain whatever system has been created to archive AASU materials and minutes, but also to improve the system, making it organized, easy to access by the AASU executive board, and easy to maintain for future AASU executive boards in following years. I also hope to work with the Webmaster to make the AASU website informative, interesting, and as up-to-date as possible.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
In all settings, but especially in group settings, I try my best to be as inclusive and empowering as possible. By being inclusive and empowering I mean creating an environment that is conducive to the contribution of ideas, free from ridicule. Before any decision is made concerning the group, I ask for each person’s input. In this way, I seek to include and empower all. Furthermore, if I notice that someone in the group needs help, I am always one of the first to offer my help to them. Apart from the actual group work, I myself am very dedicated, hardworking, and highly responsible when it comes to work, especially work for the team. If I commit to doing something by a certain time, I will always strive to have it done to the best of my ability, contributing to the overall success of the team.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
I was once told that the best way to get people to care about something is to get people to care about the person standing for whatever that something may be. Applying what I have learned, I will continue to make friends from all different backgrounds, build relationships with my professors and other UMCP staff, while doing my best to represent AASU well, always making sure others know that AASU activities and events are inclusive, interesting, and important. When programming takes place, I would be sure to ask the question, how can we make this appealing to all people (of different backgrounds, ages, positions in the school, academic majors, etc.)? As long as we as AASU can provide an answer to this question in regards to activities and events, I feel that we are doing our job. With this answer we can approach our friends and peers, inviting them to inclusive, interesting, and important events and activities.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
It is important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities because a lot of the issues that we may face are being or have been faced by other communities. It is important to learn from each other, offer guidance to each other, form coalitions, and gather support from all kinds of people. The more people, the more strength, and a more efficient way to take action. I would help lead AASU in reaching out to non-APA communities my continuing to make friends from all different backgrounds. As I make these friends and connections, I would find out more about the clubs and organizations that they are involved with. Eventually, I would mention something about collaboration and hope to meet with and speak to leaders of those organizations should they want to work together in some way, shape, or form.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
I believe one of the most important aspects of AASU’s mission is the aim of providing advocacy for the APA community at the University of Maryland. As an American born Thai, before becoming more involved with the AASU, I felt that I was cultured and aware. Over the course of this year, I have learned that I know more about my direct Thai culture, including the beliefs and customs I have learned, rather than understanding issues concerning my Asian American heritage. In fact, I knew very little about the issues concerning APA’s today. A key part of advocacy is education. People can not stand up for themselves unless they are educated on the facts. Many students are unaware, unable to identify, or just naive about the issues they face when they identify as both Asian and American, and they fail to realize that these are issues that impact all APA’s across the country. As an executive board member on AASU, I intend on learning more about my APA heritage and sharing this knowledge with other APA’s on campus. By paying more attention to the news, maintaining a good relationship with the AAST department, taking classes in AAST, and openly communicating with others about APA issues, I hope to bring up ideas with the VP of Advocacy and VP of Programming, creating more programs that inform others about APA heritage. I also intend on encouraging my peers to take classes in AAST so that they can learn more about the unique culture of which they are a part of. As people learn more about APA issues, they will be able to stand up and let their voices be heard.
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Vice President of Programming
Dien Nguyen
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Programming? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
After actively participating in the Asian American Student Union through Freshmen Council, APA1, attending ECASSU, and attending the various events of AASU, I want to take a larger role within these events. It is my desire to create events that will draw bigger crowds and wider range of support from the Maryland community as a whole. My organizational skills, creativity, and my willingness to go and talk to all affiliated organizations and people to ask for ideas and support in order to take those ideas and ensure everyone has their say in everything that I do. I will ensure that everything flows smoothly to the best of my ability and I will always remain calm in the midst of crunch time and be able to direct to ensure that everything gets done.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
My personal goals as VP of Programming is to continually improve the events that we host or assist in hosting. It is my intention to make sure everyone understands the meaning behind each of our events because there are the social events that we do and there are the important cultural events whose purpose is to connect to the community and raise awareness. I will work towards devising events that will draw support as much as possible from non-APA organizations on campus by working closely with the VP of External and going and talking to other organizations to incorporate ideas together.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
I work very well in a group setting ensuring that everything gets done and making sure that everyone has their say. In addition, I am will take on the leadership role if needed and I am open to all ideas and opinions.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
I would convince them to come out to one of our events and show them what AASU is truly about and what it really means to be an Asian Pacific American and the hardships that APAs has had to endure through the 20th century. Because people are so uneducated or don’t realize what AASU is about, my work will be geared towards ensuring that they gain a better understanding of it.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
As VP of Programming, it will be my job to create events that will educate not only the APA community but get our voice heard within our events to non-APA organizations. I will plan events that will represent the wide spectrum of cultures and what it is that we have to offer. I will make sure that other organizations understand how active AASU is within the Maryland community. Through VP of Programming, I will personally talk to individuals and through the events that I will plan to gain a wider network and increase the amount of cooperation between all organizations on campus.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
The most important thing I think for AASU is to show the community that we are not pacifist and secluded. Instead, we are active in our efforts, and that we have a strong voice to proclaim our opinions and ideas. I will do everything in my power to contact all non-APA organizations and speak to them about our efforts and events throughout the year to gain their interest. I want to show them everything that we are doing and hopefully gain their support so that there is more cooperation between all organizations on campus. I want the events to incorporate a larger spectrum of organizations so that hopefully all APA organizations will become more interested in working together on events. I will personally ask each organization for help in coming out to meetings and bringing their ideas so that they do no feel that their ideas are not represented within AASU.
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Vice President of Finance
Karen Tan
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Finance? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
After having been on the AASU Executive Board the past two years, I have come to understand how crucial it is to manage the funds effectively and efficiently, and more importantly doing so to promote AASU. I want to be the person to do so, to ensure that money goes into programs, events, and meetings that gets AASU’s name out on campus and lets others aware of the causes we work for. In turn, this will help AASU strive towards its missions and goals. Aside from working towards AASU’s mission and goals, I would like to serve as Vice President of Finance to gain another perspective of what it is like being on the AASU Executive Board. I have been the Vice President of Administrative Affairs the past two years, and would like to experience the financial aspect of running AASU and making all that we do possible. I am a team player, open-minded, organized, detail oriented, and always up for challenges. I believe these are qualities are appropriate for serving as Vice President of Finance.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
On a personal level, as Vice President of Finance, I hope to gain hands-on experience as the main overseer of AASU funds. I would like see myself become more adept for the real world. I know working with AASU will involve working and meeting various people, working in groups, developing better time management skills, and other skills necessary for the real world. In addition, I would like my APA identity to continue to grow. Being on the board itself is a learning experience and I believe further AASU involvement will allow my APA identity to mature even more. On the organization level, I want to raise, or at least maintain AASU funds so it can be passed down to future AASU members. I recognize the importance of money when it comes to programming for AASU. Therefore, as Vice President of Finance, I want to assure future board members that there will be funds available for AASU’s missions and goals.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
In a group setting, I like everyone to be able to express any ideas and concerns they have. I believe we all have to be honest with one another in order to work together successfully. Moreover, I will always listen and be open-minded to what others have to say. I will express further ideas and concerns only when I must. But if something is reasonable, I find no reason to disagree or be uncooperative. Regarding work, I will accomplish what I have to do in a timely manner as well as help out other group members if they need assistance. I like to be supportive of my fellow group members and will tend to ask first in they need my help rather than one of them approaching me. I believe that interdependence in a group setting is essential to successfully accomplish whatever tasks. Therefore, I try to be as helpful and dependable of a group member I can be so we can all work together effectively to work towards what AASU stands for.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
To reach out to those that are uninterested in AASU and/or do not identify as APA, I will first ask them to take the time to learn more about AASU and what we do, and to also attend one of our events. I also think it is important and meaningful for AASU to attend events and meetings of student organizations that do not identify as APA. Doing so, they can see that even when they do not identify with AASU or the term APA, AASU will still be here as a support system. If I must, I am willing to tell students and organizations myself all the AASU and APA knowledge I know. I will further tell them my own personal experiences with AASU, and how I never thought I would be involved, yet I took a chance and it has become such a rewarding experience.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
It is essential to reach out to non-APA communities to promote APA awareness. Once we as APAs educate others on the APA experience can we break APA stereotypes, model minority myth and start to alleviate APA and minority struggles. Doing so, APAs and non-APAs are more likely to develop a mutual understanding that would allow for appreciation of diversity. Moreover, if APAs reach out to non-APA communities, coalitions are more likely to be developed. Coalition building is key in getting our voices heard by the government, to be seen in the media, and simply getting our thoughts across. Doing so, APA as well as non-APA community concerns can be expressed and addressed. This year, AASU has kept in close contact with non-APA groups such as the Latino Student Union and the contact has allowed both organizations to learn from one another and build stronger bonds. Again, by promoting awareness of AASU’s existence and purpose, we can reach out to other groups and begin to find common similarities and form those bonds built on mutual support. With this in mind, as a board member, I will work hard to develop and maintain relationships with non-APAs.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
I believe the most important part of the AASU mission is advocating for the APA community on campus. APAs make up 14.3% of the student population, making us the biggest minority on campus. Therefore, it is important again for us to promote APA awareness to cultivate understanding. Furthermore, there are so much APA-related issues that need to be addressed and as AASU, it should be one of our main priorities to get students to recognize them. For example, many were unaware and failed to recognize the significance of the Virginia Tech backlash on campus. Because of AASU’s efforts to urge administration that to take action, today we have made progress on making discrimination reporting more accessible for students. As AASU, we need to educate the APA community through programs, speakers, word of mouth, and whatever it takes because ultimately APA issues concerns all of us, and it will take those that are aware to make a difference.
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Zhe Shan
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Finance? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
I am very interested in the VP of Finance position because I would like to become more involved with AASU, and put my skills and what I’ve learned in school and PDPsi to work for the greater APA community. The qualities that I will bring to AASU are an excellent drive for excellence, a hard-working attitude, and an invigorating go-getter attitude.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
My personal goals for this position are to increase the efficiency of the AASU financial situation, increase the treasury of AASU, and to meet new people.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
I like to take the lead in group work settings, but I am also open to any and all suggestions. I take pride in my work and I like to motivate the rest of my group to get things done and done well.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
First off, I have had significant contact through my positions in Pi Delta Psi with all the UGC organizations. I also have worked with SGA in the past. I would use these contacts to try to increase participation in APA events by non APA’s so we can spread more knowledge of our culture to the greater Maryland community
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
I believe that through more interaction with non APA’s peoples we can get rid of ignorance about the APA culture and get rid of the negative stereotypes attributed to APA’s. I would be willing to sit and talk with members of the non APA community and use my cultural chair background to enlighten them to what APA culture is really like.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
I think the most important mission of AASU is too facilitate other APA orgs and too unify them and also spread awareness of APA culture to the non APA community.
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Vice President of Advocacy
Kumudha Kumarachandran
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Advocacy? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
I am interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Advocacy because I feel that Asian American student community on campus needs a headstrong person to advocate on their behalf. I feel that often times in the programs and initiatives of the school's staff and administration often overlook the needs of the Asian American students. If elected as Vice President of Advocacy, I will go above and beyond to make sure that our needs are met and our voices are heard. I am also interested in advocacy because I like to keep myself and those around me up to date with what is going on in the broader APA movement. I feel that because I have a passion for activism in our community, I will be able to bring a great of knowledge and empowerment to the board.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
From working with the Asian American Student Union this year, I know that our community has been struggling to get the position of an APA counselor on campus. As the Vice President of Advocacy, I would like to continue fighting for this position. However, until that need is met, I would also like to the dimension of a peer counselor to this position. I feel that an important aspect of advocacy is hearing out individuals and the types of problems that they face as students of this university. I am willing to work with the counseling center in order be qualified for this aspect. In addition, I would like to do more work with the LGBTQ Asian Pacific American community. I feel that this group is not addressed by another position on the board, and is not recognized enough in AASU events. I would like to work with other LGBT APA students, to figure out their needs and struggles, and work toward a better future for them on this campus.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
When in group settings, I am very considerate of the views and ideas of others. I can accept criticism and deal with conflicts in a mature and respectful manner. I am good at generating new and creative ideas as well as being open minded about the ideas of others. I think it is important for a good student leader to be a good listener and be open-minded, but also stand up for what they believe is right.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
To reach out to other students organizations, who may not be interested in AASU, I would attend their meetings to show that we are interested in them. That way they see that we have a lot of respect for them and what they do, and hopefully return it. To reach out to other students, who may not be interested, I think it would be important to promote ourselves better, such as making fliers for the meetings or chalking up sidewalks, as well as branching out to incoming freshman at orientation or developing a mentorship program for new students.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
I think it is extremely important for the AASU to reach out to non-APA communities to dispel the ignorance in our society in regards to racial stereotyping and promoting equality in the human race. If we only stay within our own communities, then we will only leave room for discrimination and prejudice by others. As a transfer student, I was looking forward to coming to the University of Maryland because of the large diversity of the student body. However, I was disappointed when I got here because I found that people tended to self-segregate within their own race. I think we can fix this problem by collaborating with other cultural student unions for shows and events and also attend their shows and events.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
I think the most important mission of AASU is too facilitate other APA orgs and too unify them and also spread awareness of APA culture to the non APA community.
I feel the most important part of the AASU mission is "to provide a coalition for the formation of consensus and joint activities among the various APA student groups." This is important because APA groups do not get as much funding and support from the University as other groups, so it is important for us to come together in order to make a bigger impact on campus. As part of an organization that is just starting back up on campus, I feel that being part of the AASU has helped us become more involved in the community and I would like to help other small groups do the same.
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Yibo (Jac) Gong
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Advocacy? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
There are many reasons why I am attracted to the position of VP of Advocacy. Ever since elementary school, I was conscious of being an Asian American, and there was a lot of racism going towards me at then. I also witnessed racism targeted against other Asian Americans. From my observations then, there were those who internalized this racism and lost self-esteem, and those who became hyper-assertive of their pride of being an Asian American. I was one of the latter, but I never forgot those of the former, rather I looked to them as people of great potential. All they needed to regain their self-esteem was someone to talk to about it to come in terms with what they were facing and someone to stand with them against racial aggressions. So through middle school and high school, it became my passion to fight against racism and empowering Asian Americans with low self-esteem. Every time I succeed in stomping out any racial insecurity of an Asian American, I feel as if I have reversed something negative into something positive. Of course, we are now all young adults so the method of empowering APAs are now has to be completely different and the issues we face are far more complex. But when I read the description for this Advocacy position, the same passion arose in my heart as it did back then during those after-school conversations when I was younger.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
I want to reach out to those in the Asian American community here in Maryland who are not currently involved with APA student organizations.
I want to improve relations and maintain the momentum AASU currently has with all the organizations that it consists of.
I want to persuade more Asian Americans to be politically and civically active.
I want to see the materialization of an Asian American Studies major.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
I like to make sure everyone’s opinion is being taken into account. I like to be careful about making decisions with everyone else in order to prevent groupthink. I apply reason to the best of my ability during working in a group setting. I also like to facilitate discussion.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
For individual students, I want to establish an outreach committee dedicated solely to researching, brainstorming and having those results put to the test on the streets of the campus. I would also like to foster an environment in which APA students know that they are welcome, and that they are here not only to speculate, but also to participate in their community. This environment would be conducive to the unleashing of the human potential and creativity within the APA community here at campus.
For student organizations such as those under the umbrella of AASU, but do not identify or participate with AASU, I will attempt to find their individual interests and strike common ground with them. There are always common ground and incentives to be found for these organizations for participating in AASU, as benefiting the Asian Pacific American community directly benefits them also, as they are an essential sector of our community.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
While it is imperative to encourage awareness to members of the APA community, it is equally important that members of the non-APA communities be exposed to the same knowledge. If understanding of the APA community only stays within the APA community, then our greater campus community’s understanding of the APA community will not be in sync with ours. It is my goal to synchronize understanding of the APA community’s diversity and the issues we face, with the APA community and the greater campus community. I look forward to working with other non-APA student organizations on joint events and discussions to foster the sharing of diversity awareness and amplify our greater community’s spirit here on campus. I would especially like to work with non-APA student representative organizations to make progress on all our Ethnic Studies departments. Ethnic studies at Universities are powerful mediums in which knowledge of our diversity and our issues are transported into the heart of society.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
I believe the most important part of AASU’s mission is “to provide service, representation and advocacy for the APA community at the University of Maryland”. As a minority group on campus, the Asian American community requires services that cater to their unique needs, adequate and full representation from its community, and strong and visible advocacy to protect the well-being of its members. To achieve all this, it is mandatory that our organizations devote energy to community outreach. If we have more of our community’s inputs on its needs, we will have a better idea of what services our community needs. If we have more visibility and engagement of our community members with our organization, we can be a fuller representation of our community. If we have more involvement from our community, we can have a better chance when probing for racial injustice.
To serve and better understand the APA community’s needs and views is the greatest reward this position can offer me.
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Vice President of External Affairs
Isaac Kim
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of External Affairs? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
Currently, I am the Vice President of Programming for AASU. Working with the current board, I have really gained awareness of APA issues here on campus and abroad. After a year of running leadership conferences and events, I think I have found my niche in external affairs. Working closely with many of the board members, I truly found the external position to be most rewarding in my perspective. Not only creating open connections with alumni, the external position is also in charge of spearheading ECAASU and the DC alliance, both of which I am highly interested in pushing forward for the coming years. With a year of AASU under my belt, experience in programming, and a greater sense of awareness for APA issues, I am highly interested in serving as Vice President of External Affairs.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
As a Vice President of Programming, I have three personal goals I would want to accomplish. The first goal would be to continue open relations with AASU alumni. They have been an invaluable resource and have offered their wisdom in this semester dealing with AAST/AASU relations. It is key and important to continue to grow relations with the alumni for the upcoming years. Next, I would want to continue the D.C. Alliance with Georgetown, George Washington University, and UMBC. After the first DC Mixer, I truly realized how important AASU here at UMD is and how far we have really come. I want to see collaboration and really help establish the local schools AASU organizations. We have a lot to offer and they have a lot to give to us. Last, I want to bring ECAASU to Maryland College Park in 2010. Already helping with the planning process for the bid to enter for 2009, as VP of External, I would love to continue rolling the ball with ECAASU. Having ECAASU here at Maryland would be amazing, and with a DC Alliance behind our back, we can truly provide the East Coast a conference they won’t soon forget.
3. Describe your work style in group settings. My work style has definitely changed in the past year. Before, I felt I worked best by myself and never in groups. I’ve learned this year though that I really can’t put everything on my own shoulders. Working alone from time to time isn’t a bad thing, but having a group that has your back is key to success. I learned that the hard way this year and it is a lesson I won’t forget. Delegating responsibilities and having group members carry equal amounts of weight is the best group setting I work in.
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
One way to reach out to students/organizations not interested in AASU or identify themselves as APA would be to host events that are really generic and open ended to the public. To elaborate, the Wong Fu Productions at Maryland was the perfect prime example. Hosting such an event brought out APAs we as the AASU exec board had NEVER seen before. About 75% of the room were APAs coming out to an AASU event for the first time ever and getting a taste of what AASU has to offer. I thought it was a great way to get those who never though much of AASU thinking that AASU may not be too bad. But this all comes from the Programming aspect of things. I believe the BEST WAY to reach out is really just to have one on one conversations with people and really show them through your own convictions and passion what AASU REALLY IS and WHAT AASU DOES. So many APA students on this campus have misperceptions of AASU or believe we isolate and segregate ourselves. One on one conversations really make the conversation intimate and heart to heart. I had one instance this semester with a heated conversation with a person who felt AASU was segregating the school and that all we did as AASU was host parties. After thirty minutes of battling it out, I was really able to show her that AASU was nothing like she thought it was and that in fact, it was building coalitions with minority organizations here and fighting for student rights.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
Reaching out to the non-APA community is crucial and extremely important. If it wasn’t for the Black Power movement in 1965, we as APAs would not be here today. Working with minority organizations in coalition and collaboration is the only way the administration will truly hear our voice. In this way, our voice cannot go unheard and unanswered. It was amazing to see LSU finally get their minor this year, and it was amazing to work with them and support them in the process. As VP of External Affairs, keeping connections with LSU, BSU, Pride Alliance, and the other minority organization would be one of my top priorities. We’re all in the fight and struggle together; why not push together? Collaboration through events, mixers, and especially rallies that deal with storming the president’s office (just not kidding :P) are just a few things that can be done to reach out to non-APA communities.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
Serving and advocating for the APAs on this campus is what I have taken to heart this past year. Really creating an environment where APAs can feel safe and really become aware of the issues surrounding them has been my goal for this year with educational leadership conferences and events. Serving and advocating for the APA community is something I want to continue to fulfill this upcoming year through a strong DC Alliance, connection with Alumni, and bringing ECAASU to Maryland for 2010!
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Vice President of Internal Affairs
Tiffany Yee
1. What makes you interested in serving in the position of Vice President of Internal Affairs? What qualities will you bring to the Asian American Student Union?
I have been a very active member of AASU for the past two years, and I’ve invested a lot of time and energy into a cause that I feel very strongly about. To be completely honest, when I first joined the executive board this fall, I wasn’t informed about the heavy politics and advocacy based values of AASU. I just wanted to be involved on campus and meet other student leaders. This involvement opened so many doors I couldn’t even begin to imagine. The more experience I got, the more passionately I began to feel about AASU’s mission to represent the community. I opened my eyes to so many issues, most notably-- the ongoing battle to fight ignorance and apathy. The external position allowed me to explore communities beyond the APAs at College Park. I met APA student leaders from schools up and down the east coast and student leaders from non-APA organizations on campus. I found that the problems we face are so similar and I really began to see the larger picture. It’s important that organizations like AASU exist to lead a coalition, provide a unified front, and work towards a common goal. My passion and enthusiasm for the work I do is probably the most important quality I bring to AASU. I want to use the experiences from the external position to bring together the APA community on our campus and hopefully share the insight and knowledge I’ve gained.
2. What are your personal goals for this position? What do you want to accomplish?
I feel that it’s important and necessary that we serve as a voice for the entire APA community. One personal goal for this position is getting more involvement from South Asian organizations. I hope to spread awareness to all APA organization, develop relationships with members of different organizations and break existing barriers. I will encourage more activism in the APA community and serve as a liaison between APA organizations. I hope to build AASU’s credibility as a true hub organization and achieve its mission to build coalitions. I will word towards making AASU’s goals more apparent to the rest of the community to better ensure effectiveness and productivity.
3. Describe your work style in group settings.
I love working in groups, and I am very social. I’m outgoing and outspoken. I’m flexible and east to work with. Ask the 2007-2008 board
4. How would you reach out to students/student organizations who may not be interested in AASU and/or don’t identify as Asian Pacific American?
Drawing from my experiences as VP of External Affairs, I think I can rather easily explain to students not interested in AASU or those who don’t identify as APAs the importance of AASU and its mission. As a first-hand witness, I know it’s not an easy endeavor. It’s really important to first establish personal relationships and gain respect from peers. Being well-versed and well educated about the issues builds trust and reliability. It’s also important to balance work and play. Being sociable and approachable leads to an open and healthy relationship.
5. Why is it important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities? How would you help lead AASU in this effort?
As stated before, it’s important for AASU to reach out to non-APA communities because, many times, our goals and needs are very similar. There is strength in numbers and our voices are better heard in unison. It’s imperative to have the support and assistance of as many communities as possible.
6. What do you think is the most important part of AASU’s mission and how do you plan on fulfilling it?
For me, the most vital part of AASU’s mission is to advocate for the APA community and this means first bringing the community together to inform the ignorant, share ideas, and then figure out collective priorities and needs. Through advocacy, we are essentially serving the community and working towards a better future together.
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