As a Chinese adoptee who has grown up in a predominately white space, I did not have the privilege of learning my culture but instead felt disconnected and isolated from it. I was white AND Chinese, not truly embracing my Chinese identity. I faced many microaggressions and difficulties growing up but this makes AAPI culture that much more important to me. I took up Chinese classes in elementary school but did not have the maturity or understanding it took to truly appreciate and embrace the culture. When I got to college, something finally clicked. I got involved with my Asian Student Union and finally came to understand my cultural identity and the forces that caused me not to want to embrace it. What made me interested was wanting to belong and feel connected to AAPI culture. I started to immerse myself in making traditional dishes, watching Korean and Chinese dramas, and learning the Chinese language. I started to understand the cultural differences between the east and the west and began to appreciate the different histories through classes and leading the Asian Student Union. I planned and celebrated different AAPI holidays such as Mid Autumn Festival, Chinese New Year, and the Dragon Boat Festival. My "why" for being interested in Asian American studies slowly changed from wanting to belong to wanting everyone to belong. Asian Americans are a diverse group of people ranging from immigrants, first/second generation, and adoptees from all different backgrounds and ethnicities. I wanted others to finally find their place and people to be themselves and not hide who they wanted to be. AAPI culture is incredibly important to me because it has become a place of Over the last few years, I have engaged my community through many opportunities that involve integrity, cultural diversity, and human development as a leader. I continually learn and help others learn. Thinking back to how my journey with diversity and leadership started, I forever think of the time I got involved in my college's Asian Student Union. Kathy Khang was the Asian Heritage Month Lecturer and she encouraged us to raise our voices and learn about our history. From that point on, I realized that I had a voice and I could use it to help others feel belonging and also advocate for our communities needs. I learned that community engagement requires intentionality, commitment, creativity, and courage. I have had the opportunity to work with and mentor underclassmen students in advocacy and leadership through fundraisers, spreading Asian culture through celebrating holidays and discussing important topics, and helping others feel like they have a place in their community where they belong. I love meeting new students who have great potential and I try to nurture and empower them to continue to raise their voices and demand space. I have been able to connect with so many students and guide them to succeed in their studies. These experiences have prompted me to pursue opportunities in industries that allow me to focus on community and people and have led me to have a passion for racial justice, equity, and reform. I have spoken on panels and rallies to represent Asian Americans and adoptees. I also became a diversity educator for our Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) and have developed a lecture series called Casual Conversations that talks about race and intersectionality. I was also involved as a TedxHopeCollege speaker which helped me to advocate on how to be a better ally and understand others’ stories and speak up for the adoptee and Asian communities. AAPI heritage is important to me because it is reclamation and joy. We should be proud of our culture and not feel like we have to fit a mold. It is also important to look inside our own community and fix our problems, to be able to help others. It is important to optimize systems to be equitable, safe, and inclusive so others can feel like they belong. It is important because we are allowed to grieve, to celebrate, to just be. I look forward to our communities future and how we can be better.

Speaking up is the first step of change. With the rise in Asian hate crimes all over the U.S. due to the Covid-19 pandemic, tensions were rising high in my community. With great support from mentors and friends I was able to speak at a local Stop Asian Hate rally. I am an Asian adoptee and my mom is white and my sister is also an Asian adoptee. My friends and other Asian Americans don't have the luxury to not worry so I had to speak up to make a difference on my campus and in my community.

My favorite scientist is Rosalind Franklin. I developed a great respect for her when I learned she discovered the double helix. She has also inspired me to pursue a STEM degree because she was a woman in a male dominated field. Her story was once not known but I would love to continue in her stead by making women's voices heard in the STEM field.