The ASA Newsletter: Issue 35
Happy Asian American Heritage and Mental Health Awareness Month! We at Asian Student Achievement (ASA) hope that you can take this month to honor and celebrate the many Asian Americans who helped weave the vibrant and diverse cultural fabric we enjoy today. We especially want to highlight the intersection of Asian American heritage and mental health awareness this month. Good mental health is an indispensable tool when it comes to navigating your Asian heritage. ASA is committed to building the mental strength, leadership, and soft skills of the younger generation to continue ensuring an inclusive future for everyone.
We also hope our Asian and Asian American readers take this as a reminder to reflect on your accomplishments. Whether you’re at work, school, or play, your heritage and identity influence both your actions and the way you are perceived. ASA encourages you to take pride in what you have achieved as someone part of the Asian diaspora. We would also like to recognize the friends and allies who don’t come from Asian backgrounds yet support us nonetheless. Our progress and strength comes from the contributions of everyone!
One Month for ASA
A sincere thank you to the Wesselink Family Foundation and Mr. Leon Chang for their generous support of Asian Student Achievement (ASA), combining their gifts to match up to $15,000 during our One Month for ASA! Celebrate Asian American Heritage Month by giving generously to ASA!
Coach Corner: Dr. Yuha Jung
Dr. Yuha Jung is an Associate Attorney at Laura Solomon and Associates and a coach for Asian Student Achievement’s (ASA) free coaching program. Formerly a Professor of Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky, she has a wealth of experience working with young professionals making their first major career moves. We asked her for some advice on gearing up for success in the workplace.
Dr. Yuha Jung
Associate Attorney at
Laura Solomon and Associates
Why did you decide to become a coach for ASA?
I wanted to support young AAPI professionals in a practical and culturally aware way. Career success is not just about working hard; it is also about learning how to navigate institutions, advocate for yourself, and build confidence in your own voice.
What advice would you give to young AAPI individuals who feel pressured to adhere to the model minority myth to succeed in the workplace?
Do not let the model minority myth define what success has to look like for you. Everyone is different. Being quiet can be a strength, and so can being outspoken. The important thing is to understand your own values, boundaries, and strengths, and to be unapologetically yourself.
What is a skill set that you recommend young professionals acquire before entering the workforce?
Clear communication and self-advocacy first, then networking and continuous learning. Being able to write well, ask good questions, explain your work, receive feedback, speak up when needed, build relationships, and stay curious will help in almost any workplace.
Back to ASA: Anna Luu
Anna Luu is a student at the University of Kentucky pursuing her Masters of Public Health and a former intern for Asian Student Achievement (ASA). She sat down with us to share her takeaways from the internship and her advice for other students searching for opportunities.
Student at University of Kentucky
Tell us about what you’re doing now.
I am currently pursuing my Masters of Public Health degree at the University of Kentucky, with a focus on health management and policy. I will be graduating this semester as I have recently completed my masters defense. In addition, I am in the process of completing my internship at the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education as a Healthcare Workforce Intern. After completion of my internship, I plan to seek public health related jobs.
What did you work on during your ASA internship?
When interning with ASA, I held several positions, such as Graphic Design Intern, Data Analytics Intern, and Marketing Manager. Some of the projects I worked on as an intern included making graphics for our social media and website, as well as analysis of monthly social media and website metrics. These metrics helped inform our social media strategy and influenced our decisions for future marketing. As Marketing Manager, I led the biweekly marketing meetings and got to collaborate with all marketing interns, as well as individuals from other units.
What was the greatest takeaway from your ASA internship?
From my internship experience, my greatest takeaway was the importance of having a clear mission/goal. Motivation may decrease greatly if you do not understand why the work matters. At ASA, I resonated with the mission of guiding Asian American students to the pipeline of leadership. This made the work feel meaningful, making the overall experience enjoyable.
What advice do you have for students trying to land their first internship or interviewing for their first full-time job?
Oftentimes, people accept any roles or tasks simply because they feel that the opportunity may pass. However, it is always important to advocate for yourself. Although it may seem nerve wracking to do so, setting boundaries will prevent future burnout and improve your work-life balance!
Welcome To the Team!
We are excited to welcome Kirana Kottyan, a high school student from Matthews, North Carolina, as an Operations Intern!
Why did you decide to intern with Asian Student Achievement?
Kirana: “I decided to intern with ASA to grow skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership. Another reason is because I enjoy meeting new people that may also face the same challenges as an Asian American student. I think this is a way to build new connections and relationships with others.”
Our Team: Christy Sun
Christy Sun is a 2026 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a UX/Web Design Intern for Asian Student Achievement. We sat down with her to hear about the benefits of her ASA internship.
Tell us about what led you to join ASA’s mission.
I joined ASA because my sister, Julianne, is an intern and recommended the program to me. I really connected with ASA’s mission of supporting Asian Americans, and the internship felt like a great opportunity that fit well with my schedule as a student.
What was appealing to you about the UX/Web Design position?
I first became interested in UX/Web Design because I’m naturally creative, but I also enjoy designing in ways that can genuinely improve people’s experiences. Since the website is often ASA’s main point of contact for users, clients, and the community, I liked the idea of helping create a better experience for people interacting with the organization.
Of all the projects you’ve worked on so far, which one are you most proud of?
The project I’m most proud of so far is the mental health awareness campaign. Mental health is something I care deeply about, so it’s been meaningful to help gather resources and make them more accessible through ASA’s website.
How has your experience here impacted your professional growth?
Working with ASA has helped me grow professionally by giving me more hands-on experience in UX/Web Design and allowing me to work on projects with real impact. It’s also helped me strengthen my communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while building confidence in my design abilities.
Upcoming Event
Asian Student Achievement (ASA) is partnering with the Rizal Center to host “Network Like You Want Dinner Tonight” on Saturday, June 6. Sign up now to reserve your spot using the QR code below! If you are a college student business owner, AAPI business owner, nonprofit organization, or corporation who is interested in sponsoring the event, use the “Sponsor Sign-Up” QR code to learn more.
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Engage with ASA
Sign up for 1:1 Coaching
ASA is excited to launch our coaching program! We have carefully selected coaches from various industries to speak with YOU.
Intern with Us!
Asian Student Achievement is now hiring for all intern positions! Join our team and help support Asians and Asian Americans on their path to leadership in the workplace.
Let’s Meet Up!
Want to invite us to your campus or organization? Visit our speaking engagement page to learn more.
ASA Donor Spotlight: Serena Lee
Why do you give to Asian Student Achievement?
Clinical Social Worker at Soul Tea Therapy
Serena Lee: “I’ve chosen to donate to ASA because the work they do meets a systemic need that I’ve personally and professionally seen in clients I work with as a psychotherapist. ASA’s mission to support young Asian Americans struggling to navigate a harsh world gives opportunities to foster connection, community, and creativity. I appreciate that so much because mental health care isn’t just about learning to cope with difficult emotions or process hardships, but to help people build a life worth living. ASA is an amazing resource that helps people do just that!”
NEW BLOG: The Elizabeth Lorraine Skoien Memorial
This May, Asian Student Achievement (ASA) is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month as we honor the legacy of Elizabeth Lorraine Skoien, a young woman who took her life too soon, and the challenges she faced. The ASA team has compiled mental health resources from Asian and Asian American perspectives on our website, and hopes to encourage more dialogue around the pivotal role mental health plays. Read our in-depth blog about Elizabeth’s life and her father’s commitment to spreading mental health awareness, as well as more blogs and resources throughout the rest of the year.
We Are Hiring!
Asian Student Achievement is hiring for ALL of our intern positions, but we’d especially like to hear from you if you’re interested in Administrative Assistant, Content/Grant Writing, or Graphic Design roles.
Click the button below to find the job descriptions of all our intern positions. Please send CVs or resumes to ops@learnasa.org.
Let’s Meet Up!
Want to invite us to your campus or your organization? Check out our speaking engagement page below for more details!
Job Postings
Looking for a job, or hoping to hire someone? Check out our job board to stay updated on the latest job postings.
Together with Our Partners
We are deeply grateful to our partners for their ongoing collaboration and support. Together, we are creating meaningful impact.
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