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The ASA Newsletter: Issue 23
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The month of May brings blossoms of opportunity—see how Asian Student Achievement is cultivating change this Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in this edition of our newsletter!
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We asked CEO and President, Shane Carlin, to share why Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is important and what it means to him to be an Asian American.
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Shane Carlin
ASA President/CEO
Board of Directors
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As a Korean American adoptee raised by white parents, I took graduate school as an opportunity to learn not only about higher education as a whole, but about my identity as well. To me, that means embracing the unique values and perspectives that my background brings. I have also had the opportunity to work with Asian students and their organizations, which has helped me to not only learn more about my own identity, but help young students do the same. That ability to help other AAPI forge their own identities is why I started Asian Student Achievement.
To celebrate our diverse identities, accomplishments, and history, I think that it is of upmost importance that we take this month to recognize everything that Asian and Pacific Americans have contributed to our country. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a time for us to remember the past, celebrate the present, and cultivate our future. As an AAPI nonprofit organization, I find it exciting that we can bring to light the importance of this month and help foster the next generation of future leaders.
We at Asian Student Achievement wish everyone a happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!
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In honor of May’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM). We want to thank Dr. Tai Shin, who will be matching all gifts to Asian Student Achievement during “One Month for ASA” for up to $5,000. To date our community gave generously and has exceeded the $5,000 match. Thank you to all who supported this effort! However, we still have a couple of days left in May so please continue to give for our “One Month for ASA” campaign.
Receiving gifts supports our mission of bringing Asians and Asian Americans into the pipeline to leadership. Through your gifts and continued support, Asian Student Achievement has been able to offer extensive one-on-one career coaching sessions, meticulously crafted workshops and speeches on educational and vocational soft skills, and a diversity-driven job board—all of which helps to equip Asians and Asian Americans with the soft skills required to succeed.
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Special Partnership With Sugar Bliss!
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Asian Student Achievement (ASA) is thrilled to partner with Chicago bakery Sugar Bliss once more in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! From today till the end of May, 15% of the proceeds from Sugar Bliss’ Asian American Heritage Month Sweets Package will be donated to ASA to help us in achieving our mission.
Packed to the brim with chewy cookies, dulcet cake pops, and other tasty treats, Sugar Bliss’ Asian American Heritage Month Package is a perfect way to share your sweet tooth with family and friend alike! The package can be picked up in store for immediate snacking, or delivered straight to your door when ordered online (U.S. shipping only).
A huge thank you to Teresa Ging, founder and CEO of Sugar Bliss, for partnering with Asian Student Achievement! We at ASA greatly appreciate your generosity and dedication to our community! If you’re interested in perusing Sugar Bliss’ scrumptious sweets, you can visit their site below.
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Welcome to Our New Intern!
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We are excited to welcome our new intern in Content Writing and Videography, Julianne Sun! We are thrilled to have her on board, and greatly look forward to seeing what she will accomplish during our time with us!
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We asked her to share why she decided to intern with ASA:
Julianne: I decided to intern with ASA because I want to use my marketing and communications skills to gain experience in the non-profit sector. I’m looking forward to creating impactful works that I can showcase in my portfolio.
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In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month,
who is a famous Asian person that you admire?
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I really admire Teresa Teng. She’s my mom’s favorite singer and I grew up listening to her music, but I fell in love with her as well. I admire the fact that she was able to make her name internationally, and her ability to learn so many languages. I absolutely adore her music, her angelic voice, her humorous personality, and her ability to constantly reinvent herself for her beloved fandom.
Xiangyi Fei, former Data Analytics Intern
Vanderbilt University and University of California, San Diego alum
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I admire IU. She is a South Korean artist, and the more I learn about her, the more I admire all the efforts she has made to grow her career. She is very successful now, and I hope to have her same work ethic as I dive deeper into my career.
Ella Moon, former Graphic Design Intern
High School student
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I’m not sure if I have one person that I really admire, but I think the first person that came to mind who’s been really impactful was Michelle Yeoh. She has been a big presence for Asians in pop culture, the movie industry in specific, ad has helped to pave the way for more Asians to get in the door and put out more representation in the U.S.
Sarah Mun, UX/Web Design Intern
University of Washington alum
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I think that I don’t quite have one singular person that I admire, but I do appreciate author Esmé Weijun Wang for her creativity and health-related activism. I found her essays in The Collected Schizophrenias to offer an under-represented perspective on mental and physical health.
Kaylin Lebo, Content Writing Intern
University of California, Irvine alum
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One of my favorite artists is Isamu Noguchi, a Japanese American sculptor, furniture designer, landscape architect, and stage designer. His works, which are both subtle and bold, combine tradition and modernity, utilizing various mediums such as stainless steel, marble, balsa wood, and water to reintegrate the arts. In many ways, I believe that he embodies what it means to be an Asian American.
Ryan Kartiko, Operations and Content Writing Intern
Lehigh University alum
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I admire Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who served as India’s President while also maintaining his status as a visionary scientist. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has enriched the lives of millions with his writings and public talks, and inspired them to pursue their ambitious plans with diligence. The enduring mark he has left behind encompasses groundbreaking innovation and unwavering patriotism toward his homeland.
Abhaya Ladalla, former Graphic Design Intern
North Texas University graduate student
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In case you missed it, Asian Student Achievement has published a new blog post about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APIAHM)! Click the button below to learn about the history of Asian and Pacific Islander American representation in the United States, as well as how these communities celebrate their heritage this month!
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Asian Student Achievement was excited to return to the University of Kentucky (UK) in Lexington, KY for the annual 859 Market hosted by UK’s Asian American Association (AAA) in collaboration with Delta Phi Lambda sorority. The event took place in the Gatton Student Center, celebrating Asian culture and community on campus whilst featuring local Asian restaurants, cultural games, and performances.
As a University of Kentucky alumnus, Mr. Carlin was thrilled to return to campus! He was even more thrilled to unveil the creation of the University of Kentucky A/AAPI alumni network to further provide resources to UK students and the AAPI community worldwide.
Our President and CEO, Shane Carlin, also worked closely with Director of Undergraduate Studies Dr. Keiko Tanaka to advise and assist with the operations and logistics of the event. We offer special thanks to Dr. Tanaka, UK’s AAA, and the Delta Phi Lamba sorority for making this event possible!
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To run a non-profit means constantly learning. Asian Student Achievement’s President, Shane Carlin, attended the AFP ICON conference from April 27–29 to do exactly that. With his nineteen years of fundraising experience, Carlin and his fellow colleagues from across the country were panelists speaking on: Fostering Inclusion: Today’s Landscape and Tomorrow’s Path (Presented by Men of Color in Development and African American Development Officers).
Carlin will continue to attend these conferences to further Asian Student Achievement’s mission of helping move Asians and Asian Americans through the pipeline to leadership, as well as to keep up to date on the ever-changing landscape of fundraising.
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The Chicago community proudly launched Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month with a dynamic and community-driven Kickoff & Business Expo! Hosted at the BMO Tower and organized by a coalition of community and business groups—including OCA Greater Chicago, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, and the Asian American Executive Network—the event brought together hundreds of attendees in celebration of AANHPI culture, entrepreneurship, and progress.
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Photo featuring: Ms. Jean Yoon (ASA donor), Ms. Stephanie Yoon (daughter of Dr. Steve & Ms. Jean Yoon, and Mr. Shane Carlin.
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On May 2, 2025, Asian Student Achievement was invited to attend KAN-WIN’s gala. The domestic violence prevention organization celebrated its 35th Anniversary Benefit in Chicagoland. Embodying the theme of, “Our Resilience, Our Power,” the milestone event honored the work KAN-WIN has done over the past three decades to empower survivors of gender-based violence within Asian communities in the United States.
Asian Student Achievement wishes to thank KAN-WIN for their dedication to their cause.
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Asian Student Achievement attended Oakton College’s 2025 Asian Night Market, which brought the community together for a lively evening of Asian food, cultural performances, and local vendors in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month. The event highlighted the richness and diversity of AAPI cultures in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
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Asian Student Achievement attended a celebration of Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month, organized by NAAAP-Chicago’s Asian American Group Leaders (AAGL) cohort. The night brought an enthusiastic celebration of heritage, with this year’s theme celebrating the unwavering dedication and resilience of Asian and Pacific American leaders who have paved the way for future generations. The night was filled with thought-provoking discussions from three amazing AAPI female leaders and panelists, energetic dance performances from Chemical X Crew, and enlightening networking opportunities.
We would like to extend our thanks once more to NAAP-Chicago, as well as Ferrara Candy Company and MolsonCoors, for making this event possible!
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Want to invite us to your campus or your organization? Check out our speaking engagement page below for more details!
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Asian Student Achievement is hiring for ALL of our intern positions. Join our amazing team and help Asians/Asian Americans through the pipeline to leadership in the workplace.
Click the button below to find the job descriptions of all our intern positions and send your CV or resume to ops@learnasa.org.
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Jean So, Ph.D.
Higher Education/Student Affairs Administrator
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“Asian Student Achievement’s focus on building leaders, increasing diversity, and inspiring growth are facets that I truly believe in when it comes to encouraging Asian Americans into the professional pipeline. This has led to my continued financial contribution in hopes of helping the organization continue to make an impact. Professional excellence comes from understanding one’s cultural background and experiences, and ASA provides many different mechanisms to enhance one’s talents and abilities while honoring unique circumstances. I am so proud of how far ASA has come and what the organization stands for, but most importantly value the work they do to bridge professional gaps for our next generation of leaders.”
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Thank you to Dr. So for supporting Asian Student Achievement, and for the work you do to empower the APA community!
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Asian Student Achievement is proud to partner with Baisun Candle Co. again! From April 2025 to April 2026, you can use the code “ASA10” during checkout—not only will we receive a portion of proceeds from their sales, but you will also receive 10% off of your order!
Inspired by a rich cultural background, Baisun Candle Co. creates beautifully hand-poured candles that connect heritage to home. As summer approaches, cool off in the company of Ashikaga wisteria, or soak in the scent of exuberant yuzu—no matter the occasion, there’s sure to be a scent for you or your loved ones this season!
A heartfelt thank you to Brandon Leung and the team at Baisun Candle Co. for choosing to partner with Asian Student Achievement! We are so grateful for their support, and are so incredibly excited to share their unique products with our community! If you’re interested in shopping Baisun’s delectable scents, you can visit their website below.
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Pegasus is a mentorship program that aims to make Ivy League universities more accessible! Meet with over 150+ alumni from Ivy League and other major universities to gain advising on college and grad school applications, explore unique projects and career paths, and build relationships that are sure to set you up for success. If you or anyone you know is interested in broadening their network or getting help with college applications, then sign up for Pegasus below!
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Visit our job board to review the most recent postings!
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If you’d like to support Asian Student Achievement, click here to give today! Your gift will help us shape the next generation in Asian American Leadership.
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