I recently sent in my application for the NUFP Summer Leadership Institute. One of the questions asked about my long-term career goals in student affairs or higher education. Thinking back to when I first started this blog, I don't think I had any idea what my long-term career goals were so this really gave me a chance to think about where I could possibly see myself.
Below is an excerpt from my response to the question. I think that this is definitely a working thought and I have a lot more to learn before I can really solidify what it would mean to be a leader for AAPIS in higher education, but I think it would be interesting to just put this excerpt here and see where my understandings of this pathway may grow in the future.
My long-term career goal is to be a leader for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in higher education. Exploring my potential role in this field has truly allowed me to shape my understandings of self-identity and purpose. As a student who identifies as Filipino-American at a predominately white institution, I have had many experiences that have inspired me to be a voice for my community.
My NUFP mentor recently gave me a book featured at the NASPA Conference titled Asian Americans and Pacific Islander in Higher Education: Research and Perspectives on Identity, Leadership, and Success. Among the many themes of the book, I felt the authors spoke of the need for a response to the underrepresentation of this growing population. As mentioned by the book editors, very little has been published on AAPIs in higher education student affairs. I know that I have a lot to learn in this area but I am inspired to be a leader in the development of information because I truly feel there is a story to tell.
Specifically, I have a growing passion for research interests centered on the college experiences of Filipino-American students. I was surprised to learn that according to the most recent U.S. Census, Filipinos were reported as the second largest Asian group. How can a population so significant in number be a relatively invisible topic in academics? I envision myself playing a role in advocating to increase Filipino studies in higher education programs and developing student leaders in these communities to also work towards change.
In addition, it is my understanding that there are very few Asian American women in senior-level leadership positions in higher education. I am still discovering the realities of career pathways in this field but I would like to strive towards an eventual senior-level position in the student affairs community and on a personal level, simply be that example to inspire AAPI students to achieve their own successes.
