Reflections on the AAPAAN Signature Event
Written by AAPAAN Board Member Christine Quilpa
After graduating from U.Va., I admit, I have missed being around Grounds and being involved with the strong Asian/Asian Pacific American community. And so in April, a month before Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I wanted to check out the AAPAAN Signature Event. I figured that it also would not hurt for me to make connections with fellow Asian/Asian Pacific American alumni and to inform myself on current issues facing the Asian/Asian Pacific American community.
Dean Meredith Jung-En Woo of the College of Arts and Sciences gave the opening remarks by discussing the growth and progress of Asian/Asian American representation at the University. I thought this was very exciting because it was enlightening to know that the University was creating more diversity and allowing greater access to higher education for more Asian/Asian American students.
Professors Ming-Jer Chen and Martin N. Davidson from the Darden School of Business discussed appreciating and accepting our diversity, which I personally found very refreshing because not many people felt comfortable talking about race and ethnic relations and multicultural competence. My biggest takeaways were that Asians/Asian Americans, as well as all minorities, should strive to be confident, be ourselves, follow our own personalities and our hearts, and push ourselves to defy our limitations.
In addition, Dean Harry Harding of the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and Professor Brantly Womack discussed the future of China-U.S. relations, which, I admit, was a very intimidating topic, but was quite interesting and informative. What I especially enjoyed from their discussion was learning about how the increase in globalization could impact the market competition in the U.S., and thus, the Asian/Asian American population.
Last but not least, the Honorable Judge John M. Tran, who became the first Asian American judge in Virginia history on April 4 of this year, discussed his struggles and successes as an Asian in America. What resonated with me most was his message that being successful does not necessarily equate to being extroverted or Type A – but rather, allowing oneself to be recognized for one’s talents and strengths. I could especially relate to this because I, being an introvert and laidback, often felt as if I would have to change myself in order to compete against the very assertive go-getters. As a result, this made me feel empowered and more confident in myself because Judge Tran, who was like me, was successful, and I could be successful in my own way, too.
Toward the beginning of the event, I admit I was feeling intimidated at meeting so many successful and accomplished alumni, especially since I was just a fresh new alumnus, a 2012 grad still breaking out into the world and figuring out my footing in my professional life. I knew I had yet to create accomplishments in my name. But eventually, as I mingled and got to know the other alumni, I realized that, despite the many accomplishments and titles, we were all similar, and there was no need for me to feel so self-conscious. We were all Asians/Asian Americans who came together at the AAPAAN Signature Event to understand more about ourselves and each other. Just as much as I was interested in getting to know all of these successful alumni, they also wanted to get to know me. And, despite all of our difficulties throughout our lives, we were never alone – so many Asian/Asian American professionals wanted to be there to help each other grow and develop personally and professionally.