Student Affairs NOW Asian American is Not a Color with OiYan Poon
May 1, 2024
Scholar OiYan Poon discusses her book on race, affirmative action, and family. Topics include navigating challenges in Asian American student affairs, discussing race with children, addressing identity in higher education, mindset shifts, and fostering hope through collective action.
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Episode notes
Poon's Early Career Anecdote
- OiYan Poon was often the first Asian American student affairs professional at major universities she worked at.
- She witnessed and addressed anti-Asian violence and campus climate issues directly through activism and support.
Journey to the PhD
- Poon faced skepticism from leadership demanding hard data on racial issues she witnessed firsthand.
- Encouraged by mentors, she pursued a PhD to learn how to generate the evidence needed to influence systemic change.
Daughter's Question Inspires Book
- Poon's daughter at age 3 asked if they were black or white, sparking a deep reflection on how to explain race to young children.
- This personal moment inspired Poon to write her book as a way to communicate complex racial histories more accessibly.