Stanford Asian American Activities Center

Please click on a staff member’s name to find out more about them

Diana Austria

AIM Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

I first got involved the API community through Pilipino American Student Union (PASU), one of over 40 API student groups that utilize the many resources offered by the A3C. This was back in the day before Old Union was renovated, so I have many found memories of the Ballroom, Couchroom, and Computer Cluster, where we held practices, meetings, etc. I also helped out at the Asian American Grad Banquet and also participated in the AIM program my sophomore year. Through these and many other experiences, I fell in love with the community, and the A3C became sort of an “second home,” facility-wise but also people-wise. And so I joined the A3C team :).

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

I wish I could have participated in LEAD! For sophomores, the AIM program, of course. Take lots of introductory seminars if you can and get involved with/get to know the staff of the many community centers on campus!

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Don’t be afraid to explore, try new things, talk talk talk to people, ask the questions that are never asked, and be honest with yourself.

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Adeva Cha

Freshman Intern

Why you joined the A³C

I loved the warm and comfortable atmosphere created by the A3C staff.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Working hard is important at Stanford, as well as in life, but don’t forget to have fun while you’re doing it.

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Christie Cho

CommunicASIANS Copy Editor

Why you joined the A³C

My CAA was on staff my freshman year and told me how awesome working at the A3C was (and still is!).

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Alternative Spring Break trip.

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Live life on your own terms and don’t let others dictate the norms for you.

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Jason Jia

Speaker Series Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

To better understand and serve the Asian American community

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Attend Speaker Series =)

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Work hard, play harder

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Julie Kim

CommunicASIANS Layout Editor

Why you joined the A³C

I joined the A³C because it is a great way to get to know the Asian American community and work with talented people. I also found it satisfying to have the ability to contribute to a great magazine.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Definitely take a social dance class.

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Come visit the A3C! And get some sleep.

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Lan Le

Major Events Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

During Admit weekend, I had trouble adjusting to a big campus and being away from people I know. My admit weekend experience was so terrible, I was almost not going to enroll. But at an event put on by the A3C staff, I met students who shared my experiences and made me feel at home. Because of them, I wanted to be a part of the A3C where I could have the similar responsibility of making the campus a welcoming environment for all students, especially those who may feel out of place as I did.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Stanford in Washington

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Advice 1: Continue to explore all that Stanford has to offer and participate in a range of activities. You may or may not find out what you love to study and devote your life to, but at least you’ll know what you don’t like. Advice 2: E-mail me and we’ll chat.

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Eunice Lee

Webmaster

Why you joined the A³C

I wanted to get more involved in the Asian American community at Stanford and to help build a stronger support network for Asian American students. Getting involved at the A³C has really allowed me to play an active role in community building and has given me insight into Asian American student groups, leaders and faculty on campus.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

I really enjoyed my computer science introseminar, Business on the Information Highways. And it gets rid of the PWR2 requirement!

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Try new extracurricular activities and give yourself time to learn what you really enjoy doing.

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Jason Lee

Speaker Series Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

My Korean-American identity has always been very important to me in my life. Being Korean American goes hand in hand with being Asian American. I joined the A3C so that I could keep myself plugged into the Asian American community. By working at the A3C I serve this Asian community and learn more and more about myself as an Asian American.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Join a student group and make it better.

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Always take the time to try something new.

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Cynthia Liao

Asian American Studies Liaison

Why you joined the A³C

To get a chance to work with Cindy and Shelley and to help promote Asian American Studies

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Asian American Issues Alternative Spring Break - 7 days that will rock your world and change your life

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Get involved with student groups, especially the Asian American community. Also, come visit the A3C. It’s a great place to have meetings, study, and hang out!

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Yang Lor

Administrative Associate

Why you joined the A³C

Forthcoming…

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Forthcoming…

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Forthcoming…

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Beijia Ma

Facilities Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

Type answer here

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

STUDY ABROAD, because it’ll open your horizon to the world in a way a classroom never can. I did it twice myself (Oxford and South Africa)

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Type answer here

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Steve Nguyen

Computer Service Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

I heard about the A³C from an email Jerry Zee sent out to the SVSA mailing list. There was an opening for the Computer Service Coordinator and it fit right in with my interests. At the A³C, I was able to apply the skills I had learned in the classroom to help the broader community.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Definitely take Social Dance and take CS106A

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Learn how to manage your time and how you study best. As a freshman, I just could not study in the dorm at all. Too many distractions. Thank goodness for Green Library. Studying’s not everything though, make sure to get out there and join some clubs - do things you enjoy.

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Michael Nguyen

Freshman Intern

Why you joined the A³C

When I visited Stanford for Admit Weekend, I was bombarded with people who talked about how fun being an A3C Frosh Intern was, and it just peaked my interest. During the summer leading up to the year, I remember eagerly looking for ways to get involved in the Stanford community. I read through the Sourcebook, and I felt convinced that I wanted to be a Frosh Intern based on past Frosh Intern reflections that I had read. Plus, when I met some of the A3C staff (who are really awesome people), I knew that this was something I definitely wanted to do my freshman year!

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Social Dancing! It’s the best/most fun/most useful class ever!

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

“Just do it.” As in, take the classes that you WANT to! Get involved in the clubs that you WANT to! Go to office hours when you NEED to! Go socialize and meet people in your dorm! Do whatever you want! It’s college! Make the most of it!

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Betty Pham

CommunicASIANS Associate

Why you joined the A³C

Though I was already involved with the API community at Stanford, I wanted to increase the depth of my involvement to reach a greater audience. The A3C has an AWESOME staff with really fresh and different ideas.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Take a CS class. CS is probably the only program where you have a legitimate excuse to bring your laptop to class. Bringing it to “take notes” during other lectures usually leads to facebooking and IMing… not that that can’t happen during CS lectures too.

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Come to the A3C. It has yummy snacks sometimes… woo.

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Andrew Pipathsouk

Special Programs Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

I wanted to be more involved in the Asian Community

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Chem 35 — well it was pretty fun for me, tho most might find that weird…

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Balance is key.

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Takeo Rivera

Community Building Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

After involvement in Stanford’s ethnic communities as an activist, artist, and Okada RA, I’ve finally become a member of the A³C Staff to help contribute to the university’s community cohesion. I believe that the A³C, like all of the community centers, provides a unique system of support and education for all students that I feel very passionate about.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Everyone must take a class from Cherríe Moraga, regardless of your major. You’ll learn so much about yourself and what you’re capable of becoming through any one of her writing courses.

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Remember that you’re more than your grade. Who we are, and the many social worlds we inhabit, can’t be summarized strictly through academic progress, but through our everyday actions with the people around us. Former Zapata RA Jose Padilla once said “community is where you’re at.” Be there for others and let others be there for you.

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Christian Tabing

Administrative Associate

Why you joined the A³C

The A3C represented a unique opportunity for me to explore my rich cultural heritage. This is my third year as an A3C staff member; I began as a Freshman Intern, moved on to be Speaker Series’ coordinator, and now I serve as an Administrative Associate. I am fortunate to have been able to work with such an amazing group of individuals that are also deeply concerned with the Asian American experience. I encourage anyone interested in Asian American issues to consider an active role within the A3C.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

VIA’s American Language & Culture Program brings approximately 150 university students from Asia to Stanford. During this one-month program, students attend English courses and learn about American culture through workshops, speaker events, and field trips throughout Northern California. I served as a program host during my freshman summer. It was such an awesome learning opportunity!!!

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Explore the vast number of opportunities available to you early in your Stanford career. Stanford offers so many great ways to get involved in research, athletics, study abroad, community service, just to name a few. Use the many resources on campus and online, such as your residential staff and the UAR, to guide you through your search. Four years goes by incredibly fast and you will experience tremendous personal growth. Challenge yourself, take yourself out of your comfort zone, and seek those opportunities that are so unique to Stanford.

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Kelvin Vuong

CommunicASIANS Editor in Chief

Why you joined the A³C

I saw an ad stating that CommunicAsians needed a Copy Editor in 2006. I submitted an application and resume and went for the interview. Lo and behold the job was a paid position. I ended up getting the position and from there’s it’s only been downhill… just kidding.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

HumBio166- The Death Penalty

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Stanford is more than just a place for academic learning. Don’t let classes get in the way of your education.

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Adam Wang

Graduate Student Services Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

To be a resource for the graduate community

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Social Dance

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Keep an open mind.

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Bobby Wei

Freshman Intern

Why you joined the A³C

The A3C is where it’s happenin’; Lives of Asian Americans are being changed by staff members who are the heads of various ethnic and activism groups on campus. As a frosh intern, in several years, we will in turn be able to fill up the shoes of today’s upperclassmen leaders. To commit to the A3C is to directly or indirectly make a positive impact upon someone else’s life.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Bing Overseas-Study Program to Beijing or Berlin or London or Aussie

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

A bottle of Febreeze is essential to a pleasant dorm room.

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Cecilia Yang

Publicity Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

Saw it as a fun way to ease into the Stanford community.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

ME203: Manufacturing and Design.

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Start out with open minds.

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Amy Yu

Special Programs Coordinator

Why you joined the A³C

I wanted the opportunity to work with an organization that focused on the entire Asian American community on campus. Plus, the A³C has become a second home to me.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Overseas Seminars or Overseas Study Abroad Program

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Don’t be afraid to try fields of interest that seem to veer away from the norm. I know you’ll hear this often, but four years at passes by quickly, so take advantage of the amazing classes, professors, and peers that you have around you. And for the premeds out there, it’s completely fine to major in something that’s NOT bio or humbio.

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Amanda Zhang

Freshman Intern

Why you joined the A³C

I wanted to contribute to the Asian community at Stanford.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Intro to Psychology

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Get to know as many people as possible.

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Emily Zhao

Freshman Intern

Why you joined the A³C

It’s a great way to be involved in the Asian American community as well as the Stanford community.

One class/program to participate in before leaving Stanford

Taiko classes taught by members of Stanford Taiko. What better way to relieve stress than beating drums?

Advice to Frosh/anyone on campus

Go out there and participate in extracurriculars. You’ll meet interesting people.

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