AASU Yearbook 2021-2022 by SGA Student Publications

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

AASU

ASIAN AMERICAN STUDENT UNION

HISTORY Faye Hunt and Rich Sealy co-founded AASU in 1996 to better support the needs of the Asian American students at the school. The name was later changed from Asian Student Union to Asian American Student Union to more accurately represent the student body. The Asian American Student Union is a Student Government Agency belonging to Florida State University. The AASU is currently made up of eleven affiliate organizations (continuing to grow). This includes identity based, major based and multicultural fraternity and sorority organizations. Throughout the year, AASU hosts educational and social events that promote Asian culture to the campus and Tallahassee community as a whole. AASU also promotes awareness of common Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) issues faced today. Thousands of students have come to call AASU home. It is a vehicle that allows its members to explore their identity, network, find opportunities, and grow throughout their time at Florida State University. No matter the student’s race, creed or orientation, all are welcome within the AASU family!

MISSION The AASU shall represent the Asian American community at the Florida State University and promote the spread of awareness pertaining to Asian American heritage and culture. AASU will serve to encourage and promote the civic engagement of the Asian and Asian-American community, especially within the student body at the Florida State University. It shall function as an educational and cultural learning instrument for the FSU community, by providing cultural programs and materials, which promote awareness of and appreciation for the various and distinct Asian cultures. AASU shall serve as the nucleus of a network to improve the opportunities and living conditions of the Asian community. To this end, AASU shall represent all registered Asian and Asian American student organizations on campus, coordinate available resources, and serve as a catalyst in protecting the rights and representation of the Asian and Asian-American student body.

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

Table of Contents What's AASU?

Committees

Mission, History

Events

Executive Board

Media

Annual Report

LEAD

Outreach

Sports

AASU Highlights 8

Fall Week

Homecoming

GBMs

Affiliate Summits

Affiliates 13

JLCA

AAMA

VSA

FSA

CASO

KASA

LPhiE

SASE

SigRho

HEAL

aKDPhi

SASA

ASU

Closing 33

Heritage Month

Past Executive Boards

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

Secretary: Maya Topiwala

Assistant Director: Sharry Anne Solis

Programming: Nina Chong

Treasurer: Johanna Carpio

Public Relations: Xiaoen 'Grace' Wu

Programming: Makayla Evans

Outreach: Kundhavi 'KP' Gnanam Education: Faith Jankowski

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

Historian: Erica Chow

EXECUTIVE E EX XECUTIV IVE BOARD BO OA ARD

Director: Sneha Kapil

2021-2022

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

ANNUAL REPORT

PREPARED BY Erica Chow

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

REPORT The first 850 Night Market, drawing influence from the popular 626 Asian Night Market in California, was held on Landis Green. AASU members participated in the APIDA Student Life Task Force, gathering information about Asian American student experiences and creating recommendations for FSU Student Affairs. As of January 2022, the Arab Student Union was officially welcomed as an AASU affiliate The Asians in Arts and Music Association was created then recognized as an AASU affiliate AAMPD guest Ruby Ibarra was invited to perform at FSU This yearbook

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

HIGHLIGHTS AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

FALL Fall Week Fall week is an annual week of back to back events planned by AASU during the fall semester. This year it was very close to Homecoming week! AASU participated by decorating a float as we encouraged viewers to ''tell our stories".

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

BELONGING The theme this year for Fall Week was 'belonging'. We chose this with the intention of making everyone in AASU feel like they belong, regardless of ethnicity or gender. We want AASU to be your home!

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

HOMECOMING

Homecoming Court Our very smart and kind director was in the running for Homecoming Court! On top of helping with the float, she was attending all other events outside of AASU! When does she sleep? AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

Did you know? General Body Meeting, or GBM is typically a members first interaction with AASU. The first GBM of the semester is always the biggest!

GBM

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

AFFILIATE SUMMITS

FALL

SPRING

Every semester AASU organizes summit meetings that gather all affiliate organizations for a full day of learning and bonding. This typically entails discussion and training to help executive boards lead more effectively. It also supports collaboration among the many, many affiliates.

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

JLCA

JAPANESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION

Executive Board

"JLCA helped me find a place to belong at FSU. I met my now best friend here."

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

AAMA

ASIANS IN ARTS AND MUSIC ASSOCIATION

The Asians in Arts and Music Association is a space for students of Asian heritage and background to form a community in the arts and music. While creating a community of shared experience, it also helps to prepare students for career and industry success and gives them a network of other artists. The association celebrates diversity and unique experiences.

Executive Board President : Marina Akamatsu Vice President: Becca Harrison Treasurer: Thomas Thai

Did you know? AAMA is AASU's newest affiliate organization. Like HEAL and SASE, AAMA is an Asian based, career specific group. It supports Asians going into the arts!

Secretary: Elina Nyquist Public Relations: Sayat Nassyr Historian: Lily Owens

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

VSA

VIETNAMESE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Executive Board

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

FSA

FILIPINO STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The Filipino Student Association promote and increase awareness of the Filipino culture to the student body and the Tallahassee community. They provide opportunities to enhance the understanding of our nation’s history and culture, while educating those who are unfamiliar with the beauty of our Filipino heritage. They seek to define, preserve and continue a strong foundation of our cultural values. They hope that through events, activities and actions, they can define a higher appreciation for diversity and promote greater awareness at FSU.

Executive Board President: Christelle Bucag External Vice President: Camille Pamplona Internal Vice President: Lauren Thompson Secretary: Chaela De Belen Education Chair: Sharry Solis Finance Chair: Sabrina Callejo Social Chair: Raeden Pedral Graphics Chair: Meg Cabras Events Coordinator: Gabbie Doctor Events Coordinator: Kyle Casiple Senior Advisor: Gabe Tanyag

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

CASO

CHINESE AMERICAN STUDENT ORGANIZATION

Executive Board

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

KASA

KOREAN AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The purpose of the Korean American Student Association shall be to lead academics, social-cultural activities, and international friendship among students of Florida State University. KASA promotes inclusion and diversity, introducing and advancing awareness of the Korean culture.” Follow us on Instagram @fsukasa for updates on announcements, events, and GBM meeting times!

Executive Board President: Johanne Oh Vice President: Grace Park Secretary: Francisca Lee Public Relations Coordinator: Michele Gibson Design chair: Wonmin Song Treasurer: Brian Tran Events Coordinator: Yeonsu Kim Events Coordinator: Nathan Hargis

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ΛΦΕ

LAMBDA PHI EPSILON INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY, INC.

Executive Board

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

SASE

SOCIETY OF ASIAN SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS

Executive Board

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

ΣΒΡ

SIGMA BETA RHO FRATERNITY, INCORPORATED

Executive Board

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

HEAL HEALTH EDUCATED ASIAN LEADERS

HEAL embodies the belief that, in order to stand out in the field of health, one must foster the attributes: compassion, innovation, and leadership. In the growing world of medicine, public health, and science, those who truly shine are those who step up and take charge of their own lives as well as lead others to do the same. HEAL strives to offer various opportunities to its members such as first-hand medical practicing, philanthropic work, physician shadowing, and also leadership building all while maintaining a tightknit member group. As a group, the members of HEAL will grow as established scholars and leaders.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

President: Kanoka Palmer

External Vice President:Truc Pham Internal Vice President:Mylinh Nguyen Secretary:Tracy Pham Volunteer Coordinator: Yeonsu Kim Public Relations: Grace Park Programming Director: Amar Patel Treasurer: Krista Fauni Senior Advisor: Kassi Hay

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

AKDPHI

ALPHA KAPPA DELTA PHI INTERNATIONAL SORORITY, INC.

Executive Board President : Annita Huang External Vice President: Annie Le Internal Vice President: Kaia Stevenson Vice President of Service: Trinity Nguyen Secretary,Treasurer : Sarika Seenath

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

alpha Kappa Delta Phi International Sorority, Inc. was established on February 7, 1990 at the University of California, Berkeley by 14 dedicated women. It has since grown to over 55 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, making it the largest, fastest growing, and only internationally recognized organization of its kind. The purpose of the sorority is to promote sisterhood, scholarship, leadership, and Asian-awareness in the university and community while encouraging the expression of the individual. The Florida State University Associate Chapter of alpha Kappa Delta Phi was established in the Spring of 2001. We are soon to celebrate our 20-year anniversary on campus and in the Tallahassee community. aKDPhi at FSU is a full member of the Multicultural Greek Council as well as the Asian American Student Union, and is heavily involved in both.

SASA SOUTH ASIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE BOARD The purpose of South asian Student Association is to create a safe space where individuals can learn and celebrate South Asian cultures. We hope to provide a space where individuals from South Asia can receive “a home away from home” and participate in their traditions, beliefs, cultures, religions, practiced languages, and more. We also hope to educate and welcome individuals who may not particularly be South Asian, but simply want to learn more about our cultures. SASA is also home to our very own Desinoles dance group. Desinoles participates in fun performances that showcase South Asian styles. You do not need experience to join, getting involved is easy, and it can be a great way to indulge in the culture even more!

President: Sandhya Yerra External Vice President:Juhi Patel Internal Vice President: Ankita Shohel Secretary:Neha Shete Treasurer: Spurthi Jakkala Public Relations: Shriya Parmar Programing Director: Urvi Patel

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

ASU ARAB STUDENT UNION

EXECUTIVE BOARD The Arab Student Union connects Arab students at FSU with each other to form a community where they meet other people with similar experiences and backgrounds in order to elevate their sense of belonging here. We host events during the semester as well as guest speakers and General Body Meetings in order to reach out and interact with others on campus who might not know or understand the cultures they are from.

President: Bana Habash

Vice President: Rawan Abhari Recording Secretary: Jad Kaabani Membership Secretary: Charles Nader co-Public Relations Chair: Malaak Daraldik co-Public Relations Chair: Hima Humeda Event Coordinator: Ibrahim Nabulsi Outreach Coordinator: Nancy Loka Co-market Wednesday chair: Rami Hessen Co-market Wednesday chair: Tony El-Rady Treasurer: Michelle Perez

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

Truc Pham Hi! I’m Truc, I’m a third year Biology major from Clearwater, Florida.Growing up being one of the only few Asian Americans was a little isolating. I was ashamed and embarrassed about my culture for a long time because people can be rude about things they don’t know about. But I think finding people who love and accept me helped me understand and embrace my own identity. AASU and especially HEAL have made me feel so included and welcome and I feel like I’ve found a little home here at FSU. To me, identity is about how you express yourself either through your culture or through interests. I would consider traveling as my favorite hobby, I love going to different places and trying new food or just appreciating different cultures in other places!

SPOTLIGHTS Mitch Tilmon

Hi! I’m Mitch, and I'm a first year finance major from Memphis, Tennessee. Growing up in Memphis, there were only like 2 other Asian people. As I grew up I started to form a bit of self-hatred because I didn't look like anyone else around me. But now currently, I've started to love myself for who I am and my Asian-ness. I am fully living my life; it feels really good to be super independent and be making my own schedule. I love bragging to all my friends back home that I go to school in Florida. Being part of AASU and its affiliates makes me feel super included and represented. It's made my experience here a lot better, as I get to be connect with more people who are similar to me. To me, identity is the characteristics of who you are, who you want to be, and who you strive to be. And a hobby that I like to do is cooking!

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

COMMITTEES AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

EVENTS

EVENT PLANNING COMMITTEE

The event planning committee is a collective group of creative minds that collaborate to make AASU events complete! If you like to make art and decorate then come join us!

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

MEDIA

SOCIAL MEDIA AND MULTIMEDIA COMMITTEE

The social media multimedia committee works to create fun and engaging photo/video content of our events and members. These photos/videos will be posted to AASU’s various social media accounts or featured at events. If you have some crazy cool editing skills (or don't, that's completely okay), this is an awesome opportunity to showcase your work!

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

LEAD

LEADERSHIP EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT The Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) Committee is meant to help underclassmen develop various skills for success for college, leadership roles, and life such as public speaking, time management, conflict resolution, event planning, etc. As they work together on these skills, the LEAD members attend events and activities put on by AASU or its affiliates as well as volunteering with them. LEAD culminates in its members creating and running their own events as part of AASU's Heritage Month. !

Outreach works to reach new members and engage current members within our agency! We plan activities for Market Wednesday and work to interact with new members to get them to come to our events and join AASU. If you are interested in making new friends, meeting new people, pubbing, and promoting AASU with games and activities, then this is the place for you! In the past, we have collaborated with our own affiliates, other committees, and other agencies like PRIDE Student Union, Black Student Union and Hispanix-Latinx Student Union.

OUTREACH OUTREACH COMMITTEE

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

SPORTS SPORTS COMMITTEE

The AASU Sports committee was established to foster a new outlet for current, new, and prospective members of AASU and its affiliates to interact, compete, and become more involved. This committee helps individuals find a place to join recreational and competitive IM sports by forming organized teams and being able to reach out to the vast and varied AASU community to find teammates. However, we are not limited to just IM sports! We want to connect individuals interested in playing sports in any friendly or recreational setting. Whatever the sport is, we’re game! AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

AASU

JOIN A COMMITTEE

Events

Media

LEAD

Outreach

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

Sports

HERITAGE MONTH

REPUTATION

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

YEAR OF THE TIGER

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

Connect AASU has collaborated with a handful of organizations during this month. This includes the Black Student Union, Hispanic Latino Student Union, Task Force, FSU professors and even FSU's first lady Jai Vartikar!

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

AAMPD

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

Bazaar

MX & MX

Contestants This year's theme was 'Story of My Life' ! Contestants worked with AASU's Multimedia team to create these book inspired graphics. Do you recognize these books?

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

History

Executive Boards 1996-2021

1st Executive Board of 1996 - 1997 Faye Hunt Rich Sealy

8th Executive Board of 2003 - 2004

Director Assistant Director

2nd Executive Board of 1997-1998

Faye Hunt Director Rich Sealy Assistant Director Karin Truong Treasurer Kerry Chen, Jenny Dilbert Public Relations

3rd Executive Board of 1998 - 1999 Karin Truong Marianne Suyat, Catherine Sui

Director Historian

4th Executive Board of 1999 - 2000 Karin Truong Jennie Lai Catherine Sui Susan Ting Emi Watanabe Maves Ranola Rizcion Dagani

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Activities Coordinator Public Relations Historian

5th Executive Board of 2000 - 2001 Emi Watanabe Quay Hu Kelly Markin Rizcion Dagani Krystle Tabangcura John Yun Chantal Lie

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Activities Coordinator Public Relations Historian

6th Executive Board of 2001 - 2002 Emi Watanabe Rizcion Dagani Beau Labez-Tapang Gillian Lie Hellen Joy Gallego Carolle Taylor

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Activities Coordinator Public Relations

7th Executive Board of 2002 - 2003 Rizcion Dagani Beau Labez-Tapang Alan Truoung Mary Turner Krystle Tabangcura Robert Lees Carolle Taylor, Chantal Lie Jade Lim Alex Ng

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Activities Coordinator Activities Coordinator Public Relations Historian Webmaster

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

Director Alan Truong Stephanie Samera Assistant Director Muh-yu Lee Treasurer Tiffany Xaychaleune Secretary David Huang Public Relations Gretchen Cenese Assistant PR Ricky Patel Activities Coordinator Khounprasa Xayachack Activities Coordinator Ledvi Beza Historian Webmaster Alex Ng

9th Executive Board of 2004 - 2005

Muh-yu Lee Director Monica Leonido Patterson Assistant Director David Huang Treasurer Ledvi Beza Secretary Ricky Patel, John Khounprasa Xayacheck Public Relations Michael Stevens Historian Activities Coordinator Ricky Patel Taff Liao Events Coordinator

10th Executive Board of 2005 - 2006 Elizabeth Rodriguez Angela Morrison Zach Heng Olivia Garcia Jonathan Diocares Aldrin Enriquez

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Public Relations Historian

11th Executive Board of 2006 - 2007

Zach Heng Director James Dungca Assistant Director Vicky Ho Treasurer Anh Chau Secretary Christine Fancher (formerly Christine de Jesus) Co-Activities Coordinator Co-Activities Coordinator Nikki Velasquez Celia Leon Public Relations Ti Dinh Historian Ami Song Community Service/Outreach

12th Executive Board of 2007-2008 Nikki Velasquez Anh Chau Ian Johnson

Director Assistant Director Public Relations

13th Executive Board of 2008-2009 Ian Johnson Rochelle Lo Rachel Buenconsejo James Cheung Denise Correll Nathan Crock Vu Thai Andy Silhanek Dana Kwiatkowski Lualhati Johnson Nikki Velazquez

Director Assistant Director (resigned) Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Activities Coordinator Public Relations Public Relations Pageant Chair Community Service Chair Student Advisor

14th Executive Board of 2009-2010 Vu Thai Nathan Crock Robert Lam Katie Cowan Pakapol Laosri Johnathan Tabo Angela Souvannara Alexa Aquino Sean Viray LLeeia Forrestar Alex Prieto Stephanie Angulo Shohei Seyama Chantel Ma Amadae Arevalo

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Programming Programming Public Relations Public Relations Public Relations Community Service Newsletter Ambassador Ambassador Ambassador Special Events

15th Executive Board of 2010 - 2011

17th Executive Board of 2012 - 2013

Maryann Mina Director Eric Cheung Assistant Director Christina Duong Treasurer Katie Li Secretary Marquel Nakashima (Fall 2012), Milagros Salcedo Activities Coordinator Seve Kim Internal Public Relations Joel Botardo External Public Relations Junaid Raja Internal Ambassador External Ambassador Shashank Golla Jed Deligero, JeeSoo Park Scholarship Chair Ischa Fuentes (Fall 2012) Historian

18th Executive Board of 2013 - 2014 Seve Kim Katrina Pitt Milagros Salcedo Danielle Agraviador Kathryn Quintin Anjali Talwar

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Public Relations Coordinator Programming Coordinator

19th Executive Board of 2014 - 2015 Katrina Pitt Kathryn Quintin Victor Tang Manitra Chavanamest Emily Wong

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Programming Coordinator

20th Executive Board of 2015 - 2016 Kathryn Quintin Manitra Chavanamest Ashlin Thomas Christine Suni Cassie Au Kacey Johnson Shania Stubbs

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Programming Coordinator Education Coordinator Public Relations Coordinator

Sean Viray Director Andy Silhanek Assistant Director James Cheung Treasurer Katie Cowen Secretary 21st Executive Board of 2016-2017 Angela Souvannara Public Relations, Lead Director Public Relations, Media (resigned) Sammie Moncerate Eric Mizuha Tejika Baweja Assistant Director Vu Thai Public Relations, Design Aamena Ahmed Treasurer Luke Daniels Activities, Lead Tiffany Reyes Secretary Lucy Caballero Activities, Fundraising Rosalyn Chen Programming Coordinator Barry Ellis Activities, Community Service Lindsey Slater Educational Coordinator Khelsea Rantanen Historian (resigned) Erin Sjovall (Fall) Public Relations Coordinator Elisa Sung Historian Stephanie Lee (Spring) Public Relations Coordinator Kenn Liu Ambassador, Internal 22nd Executive Board of 2017-2018 Ambassador, External Jackie Dizon

16th Executive Board of 2011-2012 Andy Silhanek James Cheung Christina Duong Marquel Nakashima Seve Kim Katie Li Marsha Toi-GB Maryann Mina

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Activities Coordinator Co-Activities Coordinator External Ambassador Internal Ambassador

Lindsey Slater Rosalyn Chen Joyce Chiang Jully Dong Stephanie Lee Elaine Ignacio Amber Chu

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Programming Coordinator Education Coordinator Public Relations Coordinator

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23rd Executive Board of 2018-2019 Stephanie Lee Early Byron Solis Anthony Tieu Tanvi Marulendra Jully Dong Ancy Jose Joyce Chiang

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Programming Coordinator Education Coordinator Public Relations Coordinator

24th Executive Board of 2019-2020 Jully Dong Tanvi Marulendra Maya Harris Yanish Lucia Meester Mannat Thakur Zaimah Mithavayani Amber Chu Sneha Kapil Nicole Hansen

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Programming Coordinator Education Coordinator Outreach Coordinator Public Relations Coordinator Historian

More Than One AASU is only one of the many agencies under Student Government. This includes the Black Student Union, Hispanic Latinx Student Union, Jewish Student Union, Pride Student Union, Veterans Student Union and the Women Student Union!

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022

25th Executive Board of 2020-2021 Tanvi Marulendra Mannat Thakur Sonali Pustam Johanna Carpio Carlo Gutierrez Karly Keysor Sneha Kapil Ireland Hadley Kassi Hayes Kiara Gajo

Director Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Programming Coordinator Programming Coordinator Education Coordinator Outreach Coordinator Public Relations Coordinator Historian

26th Executive Board of 2021-2022 Sneha Kapil Ireland Hadley Sharry Anne Solis Johanna Carpio Maya Topiwala Nina Chong Makayla Evans Faith Jankowski Kundhavi 'KP' Gnanam Xiaoen 'Grace' Wu Erica Chow

Director Assistant Director (resigned) Assistant Director Treasurer Secretary Programming Coordinator Programming Coordinator Education Coordinator Outreach Coordinator Public Relations Coordinator Historian

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

AASU YEARBOOK 2021-2022