The ASA Newsletter: Issue 27
Happy September and happy fall! Asian Student Achievement has been busy with the start of the school year and (soon) the holiday season, so here’s our monthly breakdown of what’s been happening. Catch up, plan ahead, or just kick back for some light reading!
Support ASA
From now to the end of December, all gifts to Asian Student Achievement will be matched up to $100,000. We would like to thank our generous anonymous donor for their support in helping Asians and Asian Americans make their professional aspirations a reality.
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.
CACEN x ASA Joint Fundraiser
Join us on Thursday, November 6 in Denver, Colorado for a joint fundraiser with the Colorado Asian Culture & Education Network! Give, network, and fundraise with us to help bring more Asians and Asian Americans through the pipeline to workplace leadership.
Staff Corner
Sydney Cazier, our Content Writing Intern, recently chatted with Amelia Hoover, Operations Manager, and Shane Carlin, founder and CEO of ASA, about the challenges students face at the start of the school year.
Shane Carlin
Founder and CEO of ASA
Amelia Hoover
Operations Manager
Sydney Cazier
Content Writing Intern
What, in your opinion, is the biggest challenge when starting school?
Shane: “Making connections, especially on large campuses. We encourage students to get into student organizations that can make it feel like a smaller campus for them, and not to be shy about utilizing all the university resources that are at their fingertips.”
Amelia: “Making connections in and out of classes. Students shouldn’t go out of their way to avoid meeting with university officials like RAs or advisors.”
For many students, finding a healthy work-life balance that doesn’t hinder their studies is complicated. What do you suggest for students who have a lot on their plates?
Shane: “The first thing I always tell students to do is develop time management skills: after their syllabi have been sent out and they’re back to their regular schedules, I encourage them to document their days for two whole weeks from the time they get up to the time they go to sleep. Document everything, and don’t lie to themselves about it. Then, evaluate those two weeks and see where they’re utilizing their time. This is how students can determine if they’re studying too much, eating in the dining halls too long, or are partying too much. Ultimately, we always want everyone to have balance; review your notes, communicate with your professors, and of course, spend time with friends, get involved in student activities. The bottom line is time management.”
Amelia: “When I got accepted into college, my grandmother told me to ‘stay in school.’ That might sound silly, but what she really meant was to remember why I was there. For those with a lot on their plate, remember what your goal is. When you’re going through those tough classes and those late night study sessions, just remember the end goal, because that is what’s going to drive you to see things through.”
Whining For Posterity With Dr. John Huang
Meet Dr. John Huang, a sports columnist, freelance reporter, author, and generous supporter of ASA from Lexington, Kentucky. To celebrate National Literacy Day (September 8th), we got behind the scenes with him on his latest book, Whining for Posterity: Lessons in Life, Sports, and Other Things Worth Complaining About.
Dr. John Huang
Author, Reporter, Sports Columnist
What was the inspiration behind your latest book?
I’ve been blogging for quite some time, and I began to notice that many of my posts carried life lessons woven into the stories. Over the years, I realized I wanted to gather those lessons together—not just as a collection of thoughts, but as something lasting I could pass on as part of my legacy. That’s really where the idea for Whining for Posterity came from.
How has your Asian American identity influenced your writing?
My parents came from very modest beginnings, immigrating to the U.S. from China in pursuit of the American dream. Their sacrifices and determination to provide a better life for their children have always been central to my own story, and naturally, that perspective often shows up in my writing. Whether it’s themes of perseverance, gratitude, or identity, I find myself constantly circling back to the values and experiences they instilled in me.
Could you walk us through your career path?
I’ve always been a disciplined student, and that drive helped me earn a place in dental school. After graduating, I served nearly ten years in the U.S. military as a general dental officer. From there, I returned to civilian life, completing an orthodontic residency before entering private practice in central Kentucky. For two decades, I managed a multi-office orthodontic practice until I retired in 2015. Retirement gave me the chance to pursue two of my lifelong passions: writing and covering sports. Since then, I’ve authored eight books—most of them sports-focused—but I’m especially proud of my debut novel, Name, Image, and Murder, which was released last year.
Any advice for young Asian Americans looking to enter the writing and reporting industry?
It’s definitely a challenging and competitive field, so first and foremost, make sure you have the financial foundation to support yourself in the early years. Beyond that, work hard, be persistent, and—most importantly—show up. Just being present and consistently engaged can set you apart and open doors you might not expect.
Anything else you’d like to add?
When I was working on Whining for Posterity, I toyed with the idea of titling it Things I Know Now That I Wish I Knew Thirty Years Earlier. In many ways, that phrase still captures the spirit of the book. It’s about looking back, reflecting, and hopefully sharing wisdom in a way that resonates with others who are walking their own journeys.
Welcome to Our New Intern!
We are excited to welcome our new Data Analytics and Business Development Intern, Vaishnavi Nair! We are thrilled to have her on board and greatly look forward to seeing what she will accomplish during our time with us!
We asked her to share why she decided to intern with ASA:
Vaishnavi: I joined Asian Student Achievement because I believe deeply in its mission of empowering Asian and Asian American students to grow into leaders, build confidence, and succeed not just in their careers but as whole people.
Get Free 1:1 Coaching
Trying to land your first internship or job? Making a big career jump? Asian Student Achievement’s free 45 minute coaching sessions might be the boost you need! Get coached on educational and vocational soft skills like resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, elevator pitches, personal branding and much more from experts across a wide selection of industries.
Intern Hub
September 8th is National Literacy Day, so we asked our interns,
Who is your favorite AAPI artist or creator?
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. In many ways, I believe that he embodies what it means to be an Asian American.
Ryan Kartiko, Special Operations Lead Intern
Lehigh University alum
It’s a bit silly, but I really like @claireandpeter. They’ve been traveling around the world nonstop for the past three years, which is something I’d love to do. Claire is Chinese American like me, and and I really admire how she makes an strong effort to stay connected to her family in China.
Julianne Sun, Content Marketing and Videography Intern
Northwestern University alum
My favorite Asian American author is Kevin Kwan, and my favorite book by him is Crazy Rich Asians. It’s such a funny book and has a great plot.
Parker Ninesling, Graphic Design Intern
High School student
My favorite Asian artists at the moment would have to be CORTIS. They just debuted under the Hybe label. I like them because they bring a new sound to k-pop and they’re around my age so the music is more modern to me.
Christian So, Operations Intern
High School student
Ai Weiwei is my favorite Asian artist and activist: throughout his career, he’s made a name for himself by challenging governmental corruption and inequality through his art and protests.
Sydney Cazier, Content Writing Intern
Utah Valley University alum
One author I really admire is Jhumpa Lahiri, especially her book “The Namesake”. I love how she captures the immigrant experience and shows the complexities of growing up between two cultures.
Vaishnavi Nair, Data Analytics and Business Development Intern
University of Maryland alum
Join our team!
Event Recap
From September 15-17th, Asian Student Achievement’s founder and CEO, Shane Carlin had the opportunity to attend the 2025 AADO Conference, one of the largest gatherings of African American fundraising professionals. Presented by the African American Development Officers Network (AADO), the convention was a great place to meet African American leaders across the fundraising world. ASA is proud to supporting AADO and build a better world for all working professionals.
We would especially like to thank David Im State Farm Agency, whose generous support has allowed ASA to attend and sponsor professional conferences like AADO. Gifts like these help us continue bringing more Asians and Asian Americans through the pipeline to leadership.
Thank You David Im!
Asian Student Achievement would like to thank David Im State Farm Agency for his continued support for our mission. We wouldn’t be able do our work without his generous support over the past years!
David Im is a State Farm Insurance Agent based in Elgin, Illinois. He graduated from Illinois State University and is also a member of Sigma Lambda Beta, an international, historically Latino-based, and multicultural fraternity.
He has been a State Farm Agent in Elgin since 2012 and has additional experience with State Farm in Claims for over 5 years. David and his team enjoy helping customers with their needs related to auto, home, condo, renters, life and business insurance. They also serve the Spanish-speaking community and volunteer with several organizations in Kane County. If you live in Illinois, make sure to check out David’s services!
Thank you to everyone who supported Asian Student Achievement through our fundraiser with Panda Express! We were able to raise over $80 thanks to your contributions. We hope you enjoyed your meal, and we can’t wait to see you at our next fundraiser.
Let’s Meet Up!
Want to invite us to your campus or your organization? Check out our speaking engagement page below for more details!
We Are Hiring!
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.
New Internship Opportunity
The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is hiring new interns for spring and summer of 2026! Join them as a travel intern to get real world experience in operations and communications, all while networking across the country.
Visit our job board for more opportunities!
Donor Spotlight
Michael Valdez
Treasurer at National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) and Retired from Northern Trust
“I believe in the youth of today. Making sure that they thrive and succeed ensures a better future for us all.”
Thank you to Michael for supporting Asian Student Achievement, and for the work you do to empower the AAPI community!
New Blog: Sugar Bliss
Meet Teresa Ging, CEO and founder of Sugar Bliss Bakery in downtown Chicago! ASA partnered with Sugar Bliss for AAPI Heritage Month, and we’ve partnered again to share Teresa’s story of entrepreneurship and education.
Baisun Candle Co.
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.
Pegasus Education
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!
OneSky
OneSky is a nonprofit dedicated to training early childhood caregivers across Asia to ensure marginalized children receive the care they need to thrive.
Asian Student Achievement is thrilled to promote their ambassador program and move their mission forward.
Give Today!
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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