As an immigrant and Asian American, I have experienced implicit and explicit biases, microaggressions, and inequity and exclusion. Instead of being victimized, I have chosen to mobilize around what I can do.

After the Atlanta spa shootings in March 2021, I hosted a #StopAsianHate listening session on campus, where members of Asian heritage had an opportunity to air their frustration, anger, and hurt. Non-Asian people from all segments of TCNJ had a better understanding of what the Asian community had faced. I advocated for the inclusion of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) history in the NJ K-12 curriculum and played an influential role in the passing of the AAPI curriculum bill. In Spring 2022, I led a group of passionate students to carry out a campus-wide AAPI Advocacy Campaign that led to the celebration of AAPI Heritage Month for the first time at TCNJ. The campaign aimed to inform the campus community about AAPI history and contributions, promote AAPI representation and visibility, and combat Asian hate and stereotypes.

I have seen AAPI students, as well as other BIPOC students, experience marginalization, racism, and microaggressions. I listen to their struggles, I see their pain, and I advocate for equity and inclusion. As a result, my students call me a “trailblazing professor”, which fills me with pride. At the end of the day, I hope to amplify all unheard voices, and inspire and empower others.