U of MN Asian American Studies

05/27/2026

Join AAS for a one-day graduate student writing retreat this summer! This retreat includes dedicated time and space for writing, facilitated writing exercises and consultations, and opportunities to connect with other graduate students. In addition to the main classroom, there will be a separate quiet room.

Date: Thursday, ,July 23
Time: 9AM - 3PM
Location: Heller Hall, 1210

RSVP: z.umn.edu/AASwriting26

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. This event is free and open to UMN graduate students. Registration is required.

Questions? Please email [email protected]

05/18/2026

The Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC) is holding their Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Unity Summit in Minneapolis and St. Paul from June 27-28. Register at the link below for a free and public Zoom info session to learn more about the Summit!

Zoom Info Session: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3DcVNBF4RmWaARjLabwnMQ

Conference Info: www.aauc.us/summit2026/

05/14/2026

This event by Theater Mu is happening today!

Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with an evening of Asian American storytelling on May 14! ➙ theatermu.org/oops

OOPS, WE HAVE OPINIONS! is bursting with sharp humor, personal stories, and the first look at Mu's 2026/27 season. Make sure to bring a food donation for Keystone Community Services, and raise a pint to our partner, Urban Growler Brewing Company.

05/12/2026

AAS is offering a limited number of scholarships to cover registration fees for AAS-affiliated students, faculty, and staff for this year's AANHPI Unity Summit hosted by the Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC)! This year's AANHPI Unity Summit is taking place at the University of Minnesota and includes a tour of community sites. Please review the guidelines below and complete the Google Form before the deadline on Sunday, May 24, at 11:59PM CST.

To apply: z.umn.edu/AANHPIUnity

-You must be a University of Minnesota undergraduate student, graduate student, faculty, and/or staff.
-You can apply for the scholarship even if you can only attend one of the two days.
-The scholarship can cover the optional $25 dinner reception on Saturday, June 27.

For any questions, please contact AAS at [email protected].

05/11/2026

The Asian American Studies Program (AAS) celebrates former AAS Program Coordinator and dear friend, Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay, on serving as the 2026 commencement speaker for the University of Minnesota Morris on Saturday, May 9.

The original article by Sue Dieter can be found at the following link and highlights Vongsay's work and accolades: https://morris.umn.edu/news-events/news/vongsay-will-serve-umn-morris-commencement-speaker

Go Mooks! 👏🏼

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/07/2026

Peng Liu, a Teaching Assistant in AAS last fall, designed and will lead this field-trip at Lake Phalen. It looks & sounds great, and Peng’s great! She says the tour is inspired by learninginplaces.org.

05/04/2026

Check out this article, "Solidarity and Coalition Building: A Fireside Chat with Renown Asian American Activist Helen Zia" from Asian Media Access about the recent event with Helen Zia at the University of Minnesota!

https://ww1.amamedia.org/solidarity-and-coalition-building-a-fireside-chat-with-renown-asian-american-activist-helen-zia/

(Photo credit: Asian Media Access)

05/01/2026

Happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month! To celebrate this month, AAS is assembling a book display in the basement area of Wilson Library. You can check for book availability within the UMN Libraries system at lib.umn.edu.

For more information and a list of selected books by AANHPI authors at the QR code or the following link: z.umn.edu/AASBookDisplay

What has been a critical text for you regarding AANHPI history, identity, movements, etc?

04/23/2026

Reminder that this event is happening TODAY AT 6:30PM! See you there!

🎉Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month 🎉

Join the President's Emerging Scholars/Martin Luther King. Jr. Programs and partners for an evening filled with fun and community in a Fireside Chat with the honorable, Helen Zia, who is a Chinese American journalist, author, and activist.

Fireside Chat Panelists will feature:

Gabrielle Denniston, UMN CLA Third-year Student

Dr. Kale B. Fajardo, UMN CLA Director of Asian American Studies and Professor

Andy Tao, UMN CLA Graduating Senior

ThaoMee Xiong, Coalition Asian American Leader's Executive and Network Director

Bring your friends, bring your knowledge, and come chat with us. We'll have a Book Mark Making Activity and Book Raffle! All are Welcome

04/21/2026

Check out AAS' exciting roster of Fall 2026 courses! All courses are crosslisted with at least one other department and fulfill at least two Liberal Education requirements.

For questions, please contact [email protected] or visit our website at cla.umn.edu/asianamerican.