2019-2020
ASIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER Annual Update for Asian & Asian American Yale Alumni
AACC By the Numbers
$7,500 was awarded to Asian-identifying students to pursue original research,
AACC staff consists of 2 full-time professional staff, 3 graduate assistants, 19 undergraduate student coordinators, and 14 Peer Liaisons.
creative projects and career development opportunities.
An average of 1,000 students access the AACC each month and benefited from the variety of resources offered. 553 room reservations made for educational events, organization meetings, study groups, and cooking/baking sessions. 182 in-person and virtual events were planned and successfully executed by the AACC staff in collaboration with over 20 campus partners, alumni, and national non-profit organizations.
Approximately 50 active student organizations are currently affiliated with the AACC. Out of 87 funding requests received, 77 were approved and $12,815 of funds were disbursed to AACC affiliate organizations in support of events and initiatives that further their community-building and educational efforts.
AACC's Vision To cultivate a community of Asian and Asian American citizen scholars who are rooted in our shared histories and actively striving toward an antiracist, equitable, and just future for all. To co-create equitable learning environments that honor the wholeness of our community's identities and experiences.
With campus abruptly closing in March and public health conditions an ongoing challenge, the AACC has since pivoted to increasing our virtual presence and engagement as a way of staying connected to students regardless of their geographical location or time zone difference. Enjoy this video of the AACC’s 2019-2020 event highlights compiled by Pia Gorme 23 and Angelreana Choi ‘23 featuring original music by Caleb Kim '21.
Our volunteer AACC Emotional Wellness Support consultant, Dr. Eunice Yuen, played a critical role hosting recurring peer support groups along with individual virtual meetings throughout the Spring and Summer for those who were struggling with their mental health due to the compounding impact of social isolation and anti-Asian violence many experienced or read about related to COVID-19.
The deadly impact of the viral and racial pandemics has had a significant impact on all our lives in so many different ways. Lionel Jin ‘18 and Jinchen Zou ‘18 along with their colleagues in the Asians at McKinsey community wrote a report documenting the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on Asian American communities, and suggests steps that government agencies and private businesses can take to address it. The urgency of the Black Lives Matter movement also inspired a timely collaboration with the Association of Asian American Yale Alumni (AAAYA). Led by AAAYA President and Treasurer, Elizabeth (Liz) Lee ‘11 and Austin Baik ‘11, the Intergenerational Dialogue virtual series, which occurred on a monthly basis over the summer and into the Fall semester, was created with the aim to facilitate honest and open dialogue across generations of Asian alumni with current students about issues of racial equity justice that continue to plague our community. From a facilitated small group dialogue with Professor Mary Lui, to a fireside chat with Professor Tao Leigh Goffe ‘15 and a panel featuring Professor Janelle Wong ‘98, ‘01 and Odette Wang ‘20, the virtual event series drew over 200 current students and alumni. If you missed it, two of the three events were recorded and can be viewed on our YouTube Channel. The series was put on pause in the weeks leading up to the U.S. Elections and will resume after the winter holiday season in February.
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel where you can tune into the AACC's recorded events and learn along with us at your own pace. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram (@aacc.yale) to stay plugged in.
2019-2020 brought about a lot of fruitful alumni engagement opportunities for our students. From Jaime Sunwoo’s ‘14 History of SPAM Workshop, to an Asian America is in the Food panel featuring Rupa Bhattacharya ’03, Lucas Sin ’15, Jaime Sunwoo and Latha Swamy ’16, and Life After Yale speaker events featuring Rockwell Chin '71, Rita Pin Ahrens '99, Tom Chiu '93, Linda Chin '81, Lee Ngo ‘05 and Jason Koo ‘98. Attending the New York City Gold Open for Cambodian Rock Band in February by Playwright, Lauren Yee ‘07 with other alumni in NYC was an unforgettable experience for our students! Special thanks to Linda Chin who helped us reserve tickets to a sold out show.
A Note from Dean Joliana Yee Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021, Yale’s Asian American Cultural Center (AACC) is the third oldest of its kind to exist on a U.S. college campus. Established in 1981, the AACC exists as a result of Asian American student-led efforts to rally for a space on campus and thus remains today as a symbol of resistance, activism, visibility, and institutional recognition when Asian American invisibility was being fought. So much has changed since yet there are challenges that remain ever-present for the Asian diaspora. Here’s a video providing a brief overview of the AACC’s history and current purpose. While the ongoing viral and racial pandemics make it difficult for us to come together in-person to commemorate this milestone, it has highlighted the necessary urgency for the continual advancement of the AACC’s mission and vision. Although the 2nd Yale Asian Alumni Reunion will be postponed to the Spring 2022 when we can more safely gather, we still plan to commemorate the AACC’s 40th anniversary virtually and in socially distanced ways on campus throughout the year. In preparation for the 40th anniversary, AACC invites you to submit photographs, event documents, course syllabi, video recordings, or other materials related to Asian and Asian American students' experiences at Yale. Please contact me via email at joliana.yee@yale.edu for specific instructions. If you’re interested in serving as an alumni member of the AACC 40th Anniversary planning committee, please complete this short interest form and I will follow-up. If you’re interested in speaking to and connecting with current Asian-identifying students in other capacities, please take a few minutes to complete this form instead. Responses to both forms received by January 10th, 2021 will be prioritized. Finally, it is with great excitement I share that Alice Young ‘71 was selected as one of five 2020 Yale Medal honorees. We love to see our alumni getting the recognition they deserve! Regardless of how involved you were with the Asian and Asian American community during your time at Yale, it is never too late to start as alumni. Thank you for your continued support. Wishing you and your loved ones continued good health!