2025 Speakers

In this workshop, students will learn about the basics of Chinese opera, explore two regional varieties, and examine how their adaptations of Hamlet differ.

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Briefly introduce meanings/concepts about identity then discuss awareness in opera (Madame Butterfly) and musical (Miss Saigon)

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Have you ever struggled with guilt and shame of not being able to speak the language of your ancestors? Have you gone to cultural gatherings and struggled with feeling “enough” because you weren’t lucky enough to be taught your language from childhood? Words are not the only way to speak so your ancestors can hear you. In this workshop we will learn a little about Pacific Island history, move in a couple Polynesian dance styles, and discuss how to connect with our cultures without being fluent (or even close to fluent) in the language. 

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Join community guides at the museum for a tour of objects in the Asian and Islamic gallery in the museum

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Let's be real. It's particularly difficult to have young people feeling excited and passionate about casting their ballot. With the recent global affairs, inflation, supreme court cases, policy decisions, and lawsuits, it's easy to understand how folks are feeling disillusioned about our government, politics and the voting process. We all know that being politically active especially in the voting process is important, but how can we convince our peers to share in that sentiment?

This session will be a guided discussion on how to navigate difficult conversations with your peers, what are the concerns and issues we have been hearing from young folks, and provide key messaging that can be effective, empathetic, and encouraging to those who frankly hate voting right now. 

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Did you know some people would rather die then get in front of a crowd and speak, if you really want to live and finally speak in front of a crowd learn how to do this from a TEDx Speaker.

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The “model minority” stereotype of Asian Americans is a product of history and politics rather than a timeless truth predetermined by biology or culture. This workshop deep dives into the origin story of the “racial common-sense” assumption that Asian Americans are smart, hardworking, over-achievers who keep their heads down, and don’t rock the boat as the best-behaved people of color. And most importantly, we will brainstorm how and why this branding matters in our current moment.

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In this interactive workshop, students will watch the short film “Swimming Lessons” and work together to come up with creative ways to tell their own stories that embrace challenges and celebrate their own cultures. Pulling from each participant’s inspirations from films, art, and other modes of storytelling, we will work together to identify how we can communicate the training arcs that make us who we are and inspire where we want to go.

“Swimming Lessons” is a personal, reflexive film that follows a daughter of Chinese immigrants who yearns to understand her transoceanic family’s expressions of grief. During a summer visit to the home her parents left behind in Beijing, China, she tries to learn what they never taught her: how to navigate a heat wave, how to cook watermelon, and how to say goodbye.

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Using my background as a recent campus recruit for a fortune 500 company and as a campus recruiter for Lilly, I plan on sharing key learnings on 1) what companies like Lilly are looking for 2) how to stand out as a candidate 3) my non-traditional journey discovering my career path as an AAPI woman

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Let’s be real—life doesn’t always go according to plan. Maybe you switched majors (twice), landed an internship you never saw coming, or your “five-year plan” flew out the window. This workshop is all about embracing those unexpected turns and owning your journey as an AAPI twenty-something.
We’ll explore how to celebrate the choices that set you apart, even when they don’t fit the “traditional” mold. Through personal storytelling, group activities, and open conversations, you’ll connect with fellow AAPI students navigating similar experiences and leave feeling empowered in your academic and career choices—even if they don’t fit the “perfect” mold. Plus, we’ll celebrate the wins that make your story yours.

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Me, An Advocate? is an engaging workshop designed to demystify advocacy and empower participants to make their voices heard. We’ll explore what advocacy means, why it matters, and how anyone can be an advocate. Through hands-on practice, you’ll gain confidence in crafting impactful testimony, making effective calls, and writing persuasive letters to influence change. Whether you're new to advocacy or looking to sharpen your skills, this session will equip you with the tools to take action on the issues that matter most to you.

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The United States has entered a new phase. The right wing billionaire class have started to strip away basic democratic rights that have been fought for decades while also supporting war, occupation, and genocide abroad. The United States has also ramped up military exercise exercises in Korea and across the Pacific as part of its New Cold War against China. To the end, it’s important to look back at history and see what lessons we can take into this new era. We will be doing a retrospective look at diasporic Korean organizing in the US while connecting it to different struggles, both historically and contemporary.

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In today's world we don't know what to look out for when microaggressions occur, learn how to identify and confront this when it happens to you.

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In this interactive workshop, students will watch the short film “Swimming Lessons” and work together to come up with creative ways to tell their own stories that embrace challenges and celebrate their own cultures. Pulling from each participant’s inspirations from films, art, and other modes of storytelling, we will work together to identify how we can communicate the training arcs that make us who we are and inspire where we want to go.

“Swimming Lessons” is a personal, reflexive film that follows a daughter of Chinese immigrants who yearns to understand her transoceanic family’s expressions of grief. During a summer visit to the home her parents left behind in Beijing, China, she tries to learn what they never taught her: how to navigate a heat wave, how to cook watermelon, and how to say goodbye.

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In this workshop, students will learn about the basics of Chinese opera, explore two regional varieties, and examine how their adaptations of Hamlet differ.

-

Have you ever struggled with guilt and shame of not being able to speak the language of your ancestors? Have you gone to cultural gatherings and struggled with feeling “enough” because you weren’t lucky enough to be taught your language from childhood? Words are not the only way to speak so your ancestors can hear you. In this workshop we will learn a little about Pacific Island history, move in a couple Polynesian dance styles, and discuss how to connect with our cultures without being fluent (or even close to fluent) in the language.