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Center for Asian Resources and Intercultural Studies
Our Vision
The Southeastern Center for Asian Resources and Intercultural Studies envisions a world where social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and intercultural understandings are the norm, and where diverse communities are valued and respected for their unique experiences and perspectives.
Our Mission
Our Center aims at promoting social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and intercultural understandings through:
- Challenging stereotypes and promoting accurate and nuanced understandings of diverse experiences.
- Countering the dominant discourses and taken-for-granted social norms and stereotypes, and raising awareness of the challenges faced by Asian American communities.
- Recognizing and addressing intersectionality to promote a holistic and inclusive approach from theorizing to practice.
- Promoting intercultural education and authentic storytelling as tools for supporting social justice and equity.
- Advocating for the responsible usage of digital technologies as tools for deepening mutual understanding and international collaboration.
By pursuing these missions, the Southeastern Center for Asian Resources and Intercultural Studies aims to create a more just and equitable society for all, and to promote empathy and understanding as essential skills for navigating a diverse and interconnected world.
Affiliated Faculty:
Dr. Chaehyun Lee
Dr. Sarah Morrison
Dr. Robert Shauger
Ms. Andy Kramer
Dr. Ning Wu
Dr. Ying-chou Lin
Dr. Frank Xu
Dr. Jeri Walker
Dr. Stella Yoon
Dr. Ming Shan Su
Dr. Lie Qian
Dr. Nirmala Soundararajan
Advisory Board:
Mr. David Penn
Dr. Jeremy Blackwood
Dr. Michael Davis
Dr. David Whitlock
Ms. Qiaosi Yuan
Student Advocates:
Leo Lau
Jisu Ha
Message from the Director
Greetings to all fellow allies, innovators, and lifelong learners,
I am honored and excited to announce the establishment of the Southeastern Center for Asian Resources and Intercultural Studies, which aims to promote social justice, equity, and intercultural understanding through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
As a cross-boundary traveler, teaching researcher, and the founding director of the center, I believe that education and awareness raising are essential tools for multiculturalism, diversity, and social equity. Through our work at the center, we seek to challenge myths and stereotypes, counter socially constructed majority-minority dichotomy, and convey accurate and nuanced crystallization of diverse lives and lived experiences.
As we deconstruct systematic oppression and #counterstereotypes, one issue we will be addressing is the harmful “model minority” myth that has been purposefully used to perpetuate racism and segregation against Asian American communities. We recognize the importance of intersectionality in our endeavor and will be advocating for a holistic and inclusive approach to disrupt norms, implement practice, and propose theorizing that takes into account the complexities of multiple identification and authentic experiences.
At the Center for Asian Resources and Intercultural Studies, we are committed to cultivating empathetic and responsible global citizens. We recognize that technological innovations have the potential to promote cross cultural understanding and social change, but we also advocate for the responsible usage of these tools. We echo the campus mission of promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and strive to provide a platform for voices #unsilenced.
We invite you to join us in supporting AAPI student organizations, expanding horizons, experiencing immersive festivals, and diving into the exciting world of anime and Asian pop culture. We offer seminars and webinars on a variety of topics, ranging from teaching Asian languages to exploring the rich cultural heritage of diverse communities.
Let’s work together to make our vision a reality.
#InSolidarity
Dr. Mila Zhu
Founding Director, Center for Asian Resources and Intercultural Studies
Initiatives
- Join us in supporting AAPI student organizations! The Center for Asian Resources and Intercultural Studies is committed to provide resources, guidance, and advocacy to help student organizations thrive and make a positive impact on campus and in the wider community.
- Expand your horizons and learn about diverse cultures! Our activities include seminars and webinars on topics ranging from “Socrates to Confucius,” teaching Asian languages, and exploring the rich cultural heritage of diverse communities. These events are designed to promote mutual understanding, challenge stereotypes, and foster a sense of community and belonging.
- Dive into the exciting world of anime and pop culture! Our themed lecture concerts are a unique and engaging way to learn about the influence of Asian culture. From anime and Nintendo to K-pop and cosplay, these events will provide insights into the diverse and fascinating contemporary Asian community.
- Experience the vibrant diversity of multi-cultural festivals! The Center for Asian Resources and Intercultural Studies hosts a variety of multicultural festivals featuring food, music, dance, and art from diverse communities. These festivals are a celebration of our shared humanity and an opportunity to learn about and appreciate the unique contributions of different cultures.
What they are saying...
“Apply for Scholarships. I was not sure if I would ever get any scholarships as an international student, so I thought it was a waste of time and was reluctant to ask for reference letters. I stepped out of my comfort zone and applied anyhow and got the scholarship.
…there are difficult times you run into because you come from a different culture. I think it is important to have open mindset and see those moments as opportunities to learn from an alternative angle.”
– Jisu Ha, 2023 SE grad, B.S. in Aviation Management
“Be yourself, as an international student, you have a lot of things about you and your culture that people locally will view different, but that is what makes you special! Don’t try to blend into the local culture, and use you and your culture to build relationships, and be a great representative of where you come from.”
-Leo Lau, 2023 SE grad, B.A. in English