Asian American Studies Program

AAST Minor, Arryn Berroya with the guidance of M Pease and Gem Daus, is conducting a qualitative study that aims to explore patterns in the Filipino American identity within the context of “hustle culture” and overcoming adversity. The goal is to study this phenomenon and how this connects to historical colonialism and present socioeconomic pressures that require Filipino Americans to participate in strategies of survival. If you are interested, we would love to interview you! Eligibility: - Undergraduates & graduate students - First to second generation Filipino Americans - 18 years old or older - All majors/interests are welcome! Please follow this link to complete the survey: https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_bsmFYzprICWyUTk LINK IN BIO! For questions, please feel free to email Arryn Berroya: [email protected]

We are nearing the end of another academic year! Join us in closing out the semester by celebrating our graduating minors 🎉 Thursday, April 23, 2026 4:30-6pm Prince Frederick Hall Lawn Susquehanna Hall 3105 as rainy day location RSVP: go.umd.edu/AASTpicnic LINK IN BIO!

JUST ADDED TO TESTUDO: AAST421: Asian American Public Policy with guest instructor, Tuyet Duong! We are looking forward to bringing previous Chandi Kumar Annual Lecture Speaker, Tuyet Duong, to our adjunct faculty for Fall 2026. Tuyet is the Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer at NAPAWF and has more than two decades of experience championing human rights, civil rights, equity, and economic justice issues across different sectors. Can't take her class in the fall? Don't worry! AAST421 with Prof. Phil Nash continues to be offered every spring!

The wait is over! AASU & MICA invite you to our most anticipated event of the year!! This isn’t just a formal, it’s a celebration of the heritage, history, and high fashion that binds us together. 🕊️✨From the ancient Silk Road to modern-day activism, our attire carries our stories. This year, we honor the garments that represent our pride and stand as a visible form of resistance against erasure. Let your threads tell your story. ❤️‍🔥 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓’𝐒 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔: 🍲 DINNER: A diverse spread reflecting our rich APIDA heritage 🎭 PERFORMANCES: Showcasing incredible local talent 🎲 GAMES: Fun challenges and party games to spice up the night 🎟️ RAFFLES: Your chance to win epic prizes and giveaways 🎓 TRADITION: Our special AAST Senior Send-off 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒: 🗓️ DATE: Sunday, April 19th, 2026 🕕 TIME: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST) 📍 LOCATION: Grand Ballroom, Stamp Student Union 💸 COST: FREE (RSVP required!) 👗 DRESS CODE: Formal / Cultural Attire ✨ RSVP NOW: https://forms.gle/6AKzQ3syX6tPzQ1h6 Spots are limited, so grab yours before they’re gone! We can’t wait to see the beautiful tapestry of stories we create together. (˶>⩊<˶)

Curious about advocacy opportunities after graduation? Join AAST alum AJ (she/her) as she discusses Maryland volunteering opportunities to connect with and assist local migrant communities. Hear her insights on putting the lessons and skills learned from the classroom into practice in her post-grad life! Alexandra Joy (AJ) Saquilayan is a 1.5 generation Filipino American immigrant and is a 2023 UMD Civil Engineering graduate with a minor in AAST. AJ served multiple leadership roles for UMD's Filipino Cultural Association @fca_umcp and Asian American Student Union @umcpaasu where she programmed events for the campus community and local MD high school students. Now, AJ's 9-5's are in a civil engineering office, but her 5-9's and weekends are spent engaging with her local Baltimore migrant communities. Monday, April 21 4-5pm Susquehanna Hall 3105 RSVP link in bio!!

"People Power @ 40" is a community-curatorial project held in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolt, which overthrew Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., after 21 years of his administration, martial law, and government corruption. Currently, mass protests against political corruption have erupted across the Philippines, particularly in the wake of alleged fake or sham government flood-control projects. As back-to-back typhoons and earthquakes have rocked the country, it is important to heed the call for action and social change. This project is led by students in UMD's Asian American Studies program alongside grassroots Filipino community organizations. This exhibition and broader community archival project, "Keeping Ourselves Safe", which documents, archives, and preserves transnational Filipino activism in the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area, is supported by the University of Maryland's Arts for All program, the Frederick Douglass Center for Leadership Through the Humanities Public Engagement fellowship, and the Unity Center. --- Join us for the opening reception on Wednesday, April 8, from 6-9PM -- The Unity Center, Cole Field House Activities Building! There will be a program from 6:30-7:30 PM with light refreshments available for attendees. RSVP: go.umd.edu/peoplepowerrsvp LINK IN BIO!

ICYMI: We launched Fresh Pages: Issue 3 right before spring break! We are delighted to present the third issue of Fresh Pages, AAST's literary journal showcasing the creative works of undergraduate and recent graduates from UMD! Through a diverse range of storytelling and poetic expression, our contributors explore war, migration, memory and reinvention, reflecting on displacement, the inheritance of memory, and the ongoing search for identity and belonging in a world that is always shifting. We hope you enjoy this issue! Link to Fresh Pages: Issue 3 in bio 🎉

Join us for a conversation on body image and eating concerns specifically for APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) college students on Monday, March 30th! Dinner will be provided at this event along with the opportunity to learn about these topics from a mental health perspective and to engage in discussion with your peers. Extra credit is also being offered to students enrolled in AAST Spring 2026 courses. This event is co-hosted by the UMD Asian American Studies Program, Asian American Student Union, and Counseling Center.

2026-2027 AAST scholarships are NOW LIVE on Scholarship Universe! Scan the QR code on the second slide or find the scholarship link in our bio. Application deadline is APRIL 8!

📢📢 Mark your calendars! The 2026-2027 AAST scholarship application is open from MARCH 23 - APRIL 8 on Scholarship Universe! AAST is proud to offer THREE undergraduate scholarships established in honor of Asian Americans who exemplify the spirit of service to our communities: 📚 Timothy J Ng Scholarship in Asian American Studies - $2000; two recipients ✊🏼Linh-Thong Huu Nguyen Memorial Scholarship - $2500; one recipient 🫡 Major General Antonio Taguba Profiles in Courage and Leadership Scholarship - $2500; one recipient Learn more about the timeline, eligibility requirements, and full scholarship details on our website: aast.umd.edu/scholarships Link in bio!! ✨️✨️

Do you recognize these AAST all-stars?! We are so honored to have Nyrene Monforte (AAST Minor '23) lend her creativity and expertise to capture the impact of our program. Join us as we screen "Tomorrow's World is Yours to Build" for the very first time, followed by a conversation with Nyrene and the film's featured participants: Lahiruni Dias Amarawardena, M Pease, and Rossina Zamora Liu. “Tomorrow’s World is Yours to Build” serves as a time capsule of the University of Maryland’s Asian American Studies program 25 years since its founding, through the eyes of a student organizer, a researcher, and a professor. The participants demonstrate the varied perspectives and applications for Asian American studies. AAST Documentary Screening + Discussion Thursday, March 5, 2026 6-7:30pm Ulrich Hall (1121 Tawes) Light refreshments will be served after the discussion. RSVP at go.umd.edu/AASTdocumentary LINK IN BIO!