OU AAPI Graduation Program 2023

CHECK IN................................

Daniel Li

Student Assistant, Asian American Programs & Services

Oliver Wu

President, Asian American Student Association

WELCOME...............................

Cody Thach

Coordinator, Asian American Programs & Services

Advisor, Asian American Student Association

OPENING REMARKS.............

Dr. David Surratt

Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

STUDENT ADDRESS................

Aiman Saleemi

President, Muslim Student Association

President, Theta Nu Xi

Multicultural Sorority, Inc.

ANNOUNCING THE GRADUATES...........................

DISTRIBUTION OF STOLES................................

Cody Thach

Quy Nguyen

Director of Student Life and Assistant Dean of Students

Cody Thach

Dr. David Surratt is the Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students at the University of Oklahoma serving as OU’s senior student affairs officer leading teams located in Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and internationally in Italy. He is also a proud first gen student of multiethnic heritage serving as OU’s first Asian American and second African American vice president and dean of students.

In addition to his role as an administrator, Dr. Surratt serves as a Distinguished Lecturer within the Rainbolt College of Education.

David holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from George Washington University and is also an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma earning a bachelor's degree in English Literature and a master's in Human Relations. Dr. Surratt is a member of several national professional associations within higher education, is a board member for the Norman Regional Health Foundation in Oklahoma, and is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

STUDENT ADDRESS.........................................

Aiman Saleemi (she/her) is a senior graduating with her bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in psychology. She is of Pakistani descent and grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma. She enjoyed her time on campus leading wonderful organizations and causes such as being President of the Muslim Student Association and President of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Incorporated, as well being involved in Miracle Mindset, the High School Leadership Conference, OU Choir, Class Council, and is a President Leadership Class alum. As a sophomore, she also competed in the Mr. and Ms. OU Asian Royalty pageant, and the following year she had the honor of serving as the OU Asian Royalty Pageant Chair. Aiman has also been involved in research in multiple departments such as in the Psychology department with Dr. Carvallo as well as in the school of Biomedical Engineering with Dr. Rouf. She has been awarded with the Advocacy Pillar Award from Multicultural Programs & Services in the office of Student Life and the Outstanding Campus Involvement award from the Multicultural Greek Council. After graduating Aiman is striving to work within Cancer Diagnostics and Neuroscience research in Biomedical Engineering. She hopes to continue giving back to her community whether that's community involvement or within the Biomedical Engineering field itself.

WHAT ARE WE HOPEFUL FOR IN THE FUTURE?

......CANDIDATES FOR MASTER DREGREES

* denotes first-generation college students those who did not grow up in a household where a parent/legal guardian received a 4-year degree.

Jaselle Brower* Master of Science, Geospatial Technologies

"I hope to get my professional license in GIS."

Lily Chen Master of Accountancy

"In August, I will be working in the corporate accounting department at Love’s Travel Stops in OKC. I’m super excited to start my career at such a great company!"

Julie Kieu*

Master of Social Work

"After graduation, I will be pursue my licensure as a clinical social worker in order to provide therapy for children, adolescents, BIPOC, refugee, and immigrant communities in Oklahoma. In the fall, I will be attending the Council of Social Work Education's Annual Program Meeting to lead two interactive workshops to teach social workers about the bamboo ceiling and the importance of teaching students about Asian American oppression."

Nargiza Robles

Master of Arts, Global Affairs

"I am hoping for a more peaceful future!"

...CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR DEGREES

* denotes first-generation college students those who did not grow up in a household where a parent/legal guardian received a 4-year degree.

Malina Anderson

Bachelor of Arts, English Writing

Minors in Political Science and Italian

"I’m hopeful for a cultivation of quality education and greater empathy for/toward all!"

Jamie Bowen

Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering

Minor in Chinese

"I am excited to begin using my degree to better the world. I am hopeful I can make positive change with the skills I have learned in school."

Teya Chonlahan

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

"I wish to provide healthcare to underserved communities as a Physician Associate."

Andrew Cox

Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental Music Education

"I am hopeful to see a greater prominence of Asian American, specifically Taiwanese American, conductors influencing modern classical ensembles."

Maria Doan*

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science

Minor in Mathematics

"I am hoping to be happy and successful. I want to be able to support my family "

Rebekah Dougherty

Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering

"I hope to specialize in signal processing."

Susannah Hills

Bachelor of Science, Environmental Design

"I am excited to begin my internship a City!"

Angie Ho

Bachelor of Science, Chemical Biosciences

"Hopefully one day, I will become a physician and give back to those in need."

Andrew Hoang

Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting

"I’m hoping for happiness and well-being."

Nikki Hoang*

Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing and Management Minor in Healthcare Business

"I hope to use my experiences to encourage others to pursue higher education."

Teresa Hoang*

Bachelor of Arts, Human Relations

Minor in Psychology

"I just hope to be happy with what I am doing in the future. I want to travel the world and eat yummy food "

Tan Huynh

Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance

"I hope to be in a career where I can utilize the financial skills I gained in college I also hope to work for a company with a great work culture."

Phelim Jiang*

Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education

Raelin Lane Bautista*

Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering

Minor in Astronomy

"I hope to continue to be a part of the Asian community at OU as I finish my Masters degree."

garet Le

or of Science, Human Health ology (Anthropology) in Medical Humanities to become a pediatrician zing in global health. My goal in o continue building meaningful ions with the people around me!"

Rebekah Lee

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science

Minor in Mathematics

"I hope that no matter where I end up in the future, I will still be supporting and sponsoring low-income students."

Daniel Li*

Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy

Minors in Chinese and Social Justice

"I am hopeful for a more equitable future "

Steven Lin*

Bachelor of Science, Biology

Minors in Business and Chemistry

"I hope everyone is doing great."

Kathy Ly*

Bachelor of Arts, Human Relations

"I am hoping to work as a dental assistant for the next year and reapply for OU’s dental hygiene program."

Violieta Mustofa

Bachelor of Science, Community Health

Minor in Japanese

"Hopeful to get accepted into the master's program that I've applied for."

Allan Nguyen*

Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering

Annie Nguyen*

Bachelor of Arts, JournalismCreative Media Production

"Life continues to throw obstacles along my way. In the end, i just want to be happy and healthy."

Brandon Nguyen*

Bachelor of Public Health

Minor in History

"I hope to continue learning and family."

Chau Nguyen*

Bachelor of Science, Health and Exercise Science

"I am hopeful that I am able to be successful in what I will do and am able to contribute in bettering my community and other areas in need."

Don Nguyen*

Bachelor of Science, Health and Exercise Science

"I am hopeful to continue to grow as a person and to find satisfaction in the endeavors I experience."

Heather Nguyen

Bachelor of Business Administration, Healthcare Business and Marketing

"In the future, I hope to open up my own business."

Thu Nguyen*

Bachelor of Science, Biology

Minor in Spanish

"I am hopeful that in the future, every child, no matter their socioeconomic status, will have the opportunity to pursue an education."

Tina Nguyen

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science

Minor in Math

"I hope whoever I go or end up, whatever I work on will benefit others and make their lives easier."

Amanda Nork

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

Bachelor of Science, Biology

Minor in Sociology

"I hope to continue my education in pursuit of becoming a medical provider. I hope to inspire others to chase their dreams and strive for excellence."

Tiffany Ong*

Bachelor of Science, Public Health

"I am hopeful for more love of our beautiful cultures, less xenophobia, and less hate crimes against the AAPI community."

Leah Park*

Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry

Minor in Spanish

"I hope to attend Optometry school and open my own practice some day."

Carlee Pascual

Bachelor of Arts, Journalism -Public Relations

Minors in History and Political Science

Carlee will be graduating from OU and moving on to pursue her Juris Doctorate at St Mary’s University In the future, Carlee hopes to heighten and protect the rights of those the justice system is built to break down.

Princy Patel*

Bachelor of Science, Medical Neuroscience

"I'll be taking a gap year and moving back to my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. After my gap year I plan to attend medical school close to home."

Sophie Patrock

Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering

"Hopeful for a future with more buffet and stable career."

Amy Pham*

Bachelor of Arts, Community Health

"I hope to gain a lot of experience working in the healthcare field and do a lot of travelling in the future!"

Hoai-Son Pham

Bachelor of Science, Microbiology

"Planning to take a gap year to work and do internships and apply for medical school."

Kay Pham*

Bachelor of Science, Microbiology

Minor in Art (General)

Seth Phung

Bachelor of Arts, History and Economics

"I am hopeful for a successful job and a wonderful community."

Athman Rajaratnam

Bachelor of Science, Biology

"I hope to achieve great heights for whatever the future presents to me."

Aiman Saleemi

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering

Minor in Psychology

"I am hopeful for continuing giving back to my community and bringing inclusivity to the places I step in. I hope that my time here at OU has prepared me for that comes with life and that I can be the version of success that brings me the most joy "

Tu-Anh Truong

Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting and Management Information Systems

"Hopeful for a good future and to not lose my (assets = liabilities + equity) in life "

Chloe Tucker

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication

Minors in Enterprise Studies and Arts Management & Entrepreneurship

"I’m hopeful that I’ll land myself a successful career that I’m happy in."

Jia Watson-Fisher

Bachelor of Arts, Social Work

"I hope my work can positively impact many people."

Ted Xiong

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science

"I hope that my 10ft phone charger still works at any angle."

Zhang* of

Science, Biology of Arts, Chinese aduation I will be ing around my community to Dental School!"

Ryna Zubair* Bachelor of Science, Biology

"I’m truly grateful for all the leadership experience and multicultural opportunities I’ve had during my time at OU. I hope to carry these values with my aspirations to attend medical school and advocate for minority and underserved patients."

"So, transform yourself first. In doing so, you will begin transforming your little part of the world. It doesn't matter what your major, minor, profession, or avocation is. You can make a little ripple that will grow; and who knows where that ripple will move and affect other lives.

Because you are young and have dreams and want to do something meaningful, that in itself makes you our future and our hope. Keep expanding your horizon, decolonize your mind, and cross over borders."

-Yuri Kochiyama