2012 OFFICERS 2013

EXECUTIVE BOARD

EMILIO MANUEL CAMU
President

ETHNICITY Pilipino (Tagalog & Bikol) MAJOR BS Strategic Communication & BS Business Marketing MINOR Asian American Studies YEAR Senior ALUMNI Cottonwood High School 2010 ISSUES Undocumentation, LGBTQ, Model Minority, Intersectionality HOBBIES Student Organizing, Photography, Cooking, Eating, Running, Swimming FOOD Pansit Malabon, Dinuguan, Kare-Kare, Laing, Binagoongan, Curry, Pinakbet, Dhal WHY AASA? AASA was the only group in which I felt I mattered and belonged. It also serves as an advocate for the millions of Asian American people who don't or are prohibited from having a voice. It gives back to the community more than what it takes. It provided people that I knew would be my friends for my lifetime. It let me be part of a family. AASA provides so many opportunities to those students who are willing and able to do so. 

ANNA NGUYEN
Vice President: External

ETHNICITY Vietnamese MAJOR Biology MINOR International Studies YEAR Junior ALUMNI Cottonwood High School 2010 ISSUES Undocumented people/students. This actually really made me become more aware and into other issues that people deal with, especially those who are Asian/Asian American. HOBBIES I recently got into baking and love it! Also, I really just like to hang out with my family and friends, volunteer, listen to music, and try to be active like hike or play sports sometimes FOOD Ahhh it's too hard to choose. Hmmm...BANH MI! WHY AASA? AASA is just great! I really think it is a good way to meet people at the socials and meetings we have, able to gain knowledge and experiences through each event we do, gives opportunities to serve to the various Asian communities in Utah and leadership. Also, some of the best memories I have so far in college comes from by just being involved in AASA and definitely recommends everybody to be involved in this organization or any kind because you can benefit from it in many ways.

DIANA PHUNG
Vice President: Internal

ETHNICITY Vietnamese & Chinese MAJOR Health Promotion & Education MINOR Ethnic Studies YEAR Junior ALUMNI Hunter High School 2010 ISSUES Every social justice issue is interesting! HOBBIES I love sports, the outdoors, traveling, food, music, and spending time with family and friends! FOOD My favorite foods would be eggrolls, bun rieu, che, boba, and FRUITS! WHY AASA? AASA is something that I really enjoy being a part of because of the atmosphere that it creates. I enjoy the interactions with people from so many different ethnic backgrounds, all the social justice advocacy that we are involved in, the networking, and most of all, it feels like family!

SUDHA SHRESTHA
Secretary

ETHNICITY Nepalese MAJOR Mass Communication & Sociology YEAR Junior ALUMNI Highland High School 2010 ISSUES Diversifying AASA, Model Minority Myth, Hate Crimes, Scapegoating HOBBIES Eating at new places, writing poetry, movies, DIYing FOOD Noodles!! Sushi!! Nepali food, Indian food WHY AASA? AASA has been more than just another club or resource center for me. It has given me a place to belong, it has given me a voice, and it has introduced me to the most amazing people. It's like a second family for me. :)

LYNN VU
Historian

ETHNICITY Vietnamese MAJOR Biology YEAR Junior ALUMNI Weber High School 2010 ISSUES Asian Cultural Awareness, Asian Americans in the Media HOBBIES Swimming, Wakeboarding, Snowboarding, Eating, Sleeping, anything K-pop related FOOD Dokbokki WHY AASA? I got interested in AASA because I wanted to become more involved with the Asian American Community in the Salt Lake City area and I find it a great way to meet new people.

BRIAN TANH TRUONG
Treasurer

ETHNICITY Vietnamese MAJOR Undecided YEAR Sophomore ALUMNI West High School 2011 ISSUES Education, Privileges, Microaggression, Gender Roles HOBBIES Listen to music, go hiking, running, walking, dancing FOOD There are too many to choose from, food is simply amazing! I will have to go with fruits though. WHY AASA? "Cause there's better food and cooler people there!" Anyone know where that quote is from? Anyways, I was recruited by my friends who were already active in AASA. I immediately felt welcomed and had that sense of belonging with the officers and members of the organization. This wasn't because of the fact that there are a lot of Asians, but because we all have similar values; helping out the community and meeting new people. I have met and gotten close to A LOT of people, I guess I should say my friends now.

DIRECTIVE BOARD

THU NGUYEN
Director of Academics

ETHNICITY Vietnamese MAJOR Business Administration MINOR International Studies YEAR Junior ALUMNI Skyline High School 2012 ISSUES Microaggression HOBBIES Photography, Singing FOOD Rice WHY AASA Because I wanted to be more involved and meet more people!

VIVIAN YU
Director of Activities

ETHNICITY Chinese MAJOR Strategic Communication MINOR Business & Psychology YEAR Junior ALUMNI Northridge High School 2010 ISSUES HOBBIES Even though I'm terrible, I enjoy playing volleyball. FOOD Perfect meal? Fried Chicken, mash potatoes and watermelon. Yum :) WHY AASA? After I came to the high school conference my junior year, I knew I wanted to become an officer. I applied to be activities chair sophomore year, and served a semester as an officer. I wanted to gain more experience as a leader and learn from my mistakes last year, so I applied again to continue serving for AASA. I want to use the real life experiences from AASA and hopefully it'll benefit in the future for my career. I enjoy AASA because I have met many friends through this club and hope to others can do the same. 

STEPHANIE YU
Director of Conference

ETHNICITY Chinese MAJOR Medical Laboratory Science YEAR Freshman ALUMNI Granger High School 2012 ISSUES Microaggression within the Asian Population, how being racist is not just able being white, people of color can be racist too. HOBBIES Any type of family gathering FOOD I love Chinese food. WHY AASA? I chose AASA because I wanted to learn how to interact within my Asian community.

SHIRLEY DEE HON
Director of Film Festival

ETHNICITY Chinese MAJOR Electrical Engineering MINOR Business YEAR Freshman ALUMNI West High School 2012 ISSUES Racism, Sexism, Labor Laws, Ageism, Education, Religion, Healthcare, Restorative Justice HOBBIES Minesweeping, Eating, Sleeping, Napping, Knapping, Chess, Kung Fu FOOD Anything with cheese and/or butter WHY AASA? Because I love y'all.

BRIAN TANH TRUONG
Director of Fundraising

ETHNICITY Vietnamese MAJOR Undecided YEAR Sophomore ALUMNI West High School 2011 ISSUES Education, Privileges, Microaggression, Gender Roles HOBBIES Listen to music, go hiking, running, walking, dancing FOOD There are too many to choose from, food is simply amazing! I will have to go with fruits though. WHY AASA? "Cause there's better food and cooler people there!" Anyone know where that quote is from? Anyways, I was recruited by my friends who were already active in AASA. I immediately felt welcomed and had that sense of belonging with the officers and members of the organization. This wasn't because of the fact that there are a lot of Asians, but because we all have similar values; helping out the community and meeting new people. I have met and gotten close to A LOT of people, I guess I should say my friends now.

TRANG TUYET PHAN
Director of Recruitment

ETHNICITY Vietnamese & Caucasian MAJOR BS Nursing YEAR Sophomore ALUMNI Hunter High School 2011 ISSUES Education in lower-class communities HOBBIES I love to longboard, tend and nurture my garden, play fetch with my dogs, and build 3D Origami structures when I have time. FOOD Sushi WHY AASA? I chose to join AASA to help volunteer within the asian communities and it's a lot of fun talking to people who have similar interests as you . AASA helped build my character by actively volunteering and advocating social justice issues. Once you get into AASA it's difficult to let go, it's just too much fun to miss out!

NEGLA SHAH
Director of Service

ETHNICITY Pakistani MAJOR Business YEAR Senior ALUMNI West High School 2009

ALEX ROGERS
Director of Service

ETHNICITY Filipino & Austrian & Italian & Spanish MAJOR Management YEAR Senior ALUMNI Northridge High School 2007 ISSUES Building awareness of the unseen prejudices that Asian Americans see in the personal environment HOBBIES I enjoy playing my saxophone and hanging out with friends FOOD Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice, anything off of the dollar menu at McDonald's and chocolate cheesecake. WHY AASA? I joined AASA to build awareness for social justice and also connect with the  Asian American community on a service-based level. It is a great organization to be a part of and I know I will think of AASA when I look back at my college years.