TIFFANY SU

National Chair

national.chair@ecaasu.org

Hometown: Pasadena, California

School: Yale University

I’m TIFFANY SU —  I am a first generation Chinese Vietnamese American; my parents were refugees in the Vietnam War and came to the U.S. in the 1980s. I’m originally from Pasadena, California, where the sun manages to shine most days. Now as a Yale University senior about to graduate, I can say that being on the East Coast has opened up a whole new sense of creativity and ambition in me. I am surrounded by intelligent and funny people from all walks of life, and am so thankful for it!

CASPAR WANG

Vice Chair

vice.chair@ecaasu.org

Hometown: Whippany, New Jersey

School: Rutgers University – School of Engineering 2010

CASPAR WANG reporting from the Garden State where I am a senior at Rutgers University majoring in Aerospace Engineering. In my spare time I play tennis, watch and play sports, and relax with my friends.  I love meeting new people and eating, not necessarily in that order.  I like shooting the breeze and flying kites, but I definitely don’t like shooting kites.
Makes me sad you know? OH and I can be incredibly awkward at times. Like now. Okay bye.
PS: Seriously though I like kites.

DEREK MONG

Vice Chair

vice.chair@ecaasu.org

Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin

School: Duke University 2013

Derek Mong is a rising sophomore at Duke University. Originally from Potomac, Maryland, Derek was the Civil Rights Taskforce Chair for ECAASU National from 2009-2010, tackling issues of civic engagement, social justice, and equal opportunity. Derek chaired the the Youth Census Advocacy Project (YCAP 2010), a national movement aimed at increasing census awareness through outreach to the nation’s network of AAPI students leaders. Derek is currently working at Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes the civic engagement of AAPI’s. In his spare time, Derek enjoys traveling around the country/world, filmmaking, exploring cities through their restaurants, and driving aimlessly down the highway blasting music at full volume.

LORENZO PAGLINAWAN

Communications Chair

communications@ecaasu.org

Hometown: Fairfax Station, VA

School: University of Virginia

I am a 3rd Year at the University of Virginia, Wahoo-WA! I recently returned from South Africa (Yes! The soccer fever was overwhelming!) and have been living life to its fullest potential. I appreciate smiles because, honestly, the world is harsh but I have seen the beauty after many tribulations. Obviously, I appreciate a good conversation and if you engage be prepared to laugh!

CATHERINE HSU

Marketing Chair

marketing@ecaasu.org

Home Area: Bay Area, California

School: University of Pennsylvania

Catherine Hsu is an undergraduate (C’11) studying Communication & Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. A native Californian, she’s always keepin’ it fresh. Despite her die-hard loyalty to the Golden State, she’s also in love with the East Coast, and, after graduation, she’s going to make it big in NYC doing something in fashion. A self-proclaimed connoisseur of fro-yo, Catherine has an insane sweet tooth, as well as a particular affinity for anything green tea (e.g., green tea ice cream, green tea tiramisu, etc.). She’s also Taiwanese – her favorite restaurant is Din Tai Fung – and absolutely IDOLIZES Lady Gaga.

KAYLEIGH HUANG

Finance Chair

finance@ecaasu.org

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

School: Villanova University

KAYLEIGH HUANG , born and raised just outside Boston– is a sophomore at Villanova University School of Business.
I like… everything. And I like learning on-the-go. I love just chilling at a diner or café and chatting for hours, taking random photographs of nature, being outside to enjoy the New England weather, eating, or just taking my 11-minute naps, for which everyone makes fun of me. Hmmm, but seriously. They work, try them.

MELANIE GAO

Advocacy Chair – Immigration

immigration.advocacy@ecaasu.org

Hometown: Staten Island, New York

School: Columbia University

Melanie Gao is a freshmen at Columbia University (Class of 2014 baby!) with too many academic interests to list. Born and raised in New York City, she is the daughter of two immigrants and is the first in her family to go to college in the United States! Melanie is very fond of walking, baking and sunshine. She aspires to change the world and to open a cupcake bakery in the future. She would also like to give a shout out to Chinatown Youth Initiatives for inspiring her interest in Asian American issues.

HENNA TAILOR

Advocacy Chair – South Asian Discrimination Issues Chair

southasian.advocacy@ecaasu.org

Hometown: Passaic, New Jersey

School: Rutgers University (New Brunswick)

Hey you! I’m Henna T. -the one and only. Anyways, aside from that formal stuff, a little about me: I graffiti-ed my entire red painted room, I dance (tap, ballet, hip-hop, bellydancing, Bollywood fusion, raas and garba, etc), I get a bit hyper off of Indian Spice Bubble Tea (which is absolutely amazing), I love to bake, and I am THEEE corniest person when it comes to romantic stuff, oh and I give GREAT advice (or so I have been told) about girls because I tend to think like a guy (more simple, less complex)! If you ever get to know me, you will definitely see my guy side more than my girly side because I will run up to the screen saying “GO BABY GO” while watching football (GO DALLAS!! For all you haters, the cheerleaders are hot and Tony Romo kicks ass)! My girly side will shine when I have to dress up (like for pageants and all that party stuff). Other than that, make your own judgments about me once you meet me! I only have love to spread. <3

DARA CHEN

Advocacy Chair – APA Women’s Issues Chair

womens.advocacy@ecaasu.org

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

School: University of Florida

Shanghainese is true my blood. I love to travel. Survive on cold, sun-filled days. I need people, food, exploring cities, parks. I run, eat, swim, laugh. Florida is home, and the party. Dance. Don’t stop believing!

SONYA PRASAD

High School Outreach Chair

hs.outreach@ecaasu.org

EUGENE MOK

West Coast Outreach Representative

west.outreach@ecaasu.org

Hometown: Old Tappan, NJ

School: Villanova University

They call me EUGENE MOK. I was born in Seoul, South Korea and came to the United States when I was one hundred days old. I graduated Villanova University with a Political Science Major and Russian Studies Concentration. I am currently on the west coast saving the world (in the navy). Before I die, I want to be able to say that I lived a meaningful life that affected people positively. Also, before I die, I want to skydive without a parachute and have Chuck Norris catch me mid-air. After he latches on to me, we would drink red bull– which gives you wings– and fly away.

NINA LU

South Outreach Representative

south.outreach@ecaasu.org

Hometown: Austin, Texas

School: University of Texas

Hey YA’LL! I’m Nina, and I’m from the friendly state of Texas! (By the way, it’s true what they say – everything is bigger and better in Texas.) I was born in China and moved to the United States at the tender age of 7. Since then, I’ve grown up culturally confused, because our family moved straight from China to the very southern tip of Texas, 10 minutes away from Mexico. I’m pretty sure that my Spanish is better than any Asian language I speak, at this point. Having grown up 20 minutes away from South Padre Island (a hot spot for Spring Break), I can’t imagine permanently living anywhere that wasn’t right next to a beach. I like to get my tan on, baby! (but no, not like on Jersey Shore) In my spare time, I love, love, LOVE to go SHOPPING (confessions of a shopaholic right here), TRAVEL (I can’t sit still), attend LIVE MUSIC performances (Austin City Limits and South by Southwest!), and break it down on the dance floor! Make no mistake though; I don’t just do your standard booty bump. Hip-hop choreography and dance practices are my life! I graduated from the University of Texas (forever a proud TEXAS LONGHORN!) recently and currently live in Austin, Texas (home of the infamous 6th Street, which I frequent), but I plan on moving to Houston, Texas for graduate school soon, and from there on out, I’d love to get a job somewhere in Cali (near a BEACH). Don’t be afraid to chat with me – I’ve got a big smile and even bigger heart!

CHRISTY TRUONG

Mid-Atlantic Outreach Representative

midatlantic.outreach@ecaasu.org

Home State: Virginia

School: Old Dominion University

WHAT UP, WHAT UP!? CHRISTY TRUONG is officially in the house! I’m a senior at Old Dominion University down in Norfolk, VA and I am a communications major. I was born and raised in Annandale, Va (Northern Va, which is right outside of Washington, D.C.).
“Big things come in small packages,” which is the exact quote to describe me. I’m a lil sassy thang with big dreams and nothing, I repeat, nothing will stand in the way of me (points finger to myself) and my goals. I currently serve as the Education & Advocacy Co-Chair of the Asian Pacific American Student Union (APASU) on campus and I am the Education Director for OCA’s Eastern Virginia chapter. Upon graduation, I plan to pursue a career in news broadcasting.
I have two younger siblings that are 6 and 2, which are my heart and soul. Things that I can’t live without: MUSIC, THE BEACH, THE GYM, MOVIES, FRIENDS and FAMILY <3

NANCY LIANG

Board of Directors

nancy.yi.liang@gmail.com

NANCY LIANG graduated from Yale in 2008 with a degree in Cognitive Science. She was Associate Director of Yale’s ECAASU Conference in 2007, and served as the National Chair of ECAASU from 2007 until 2009. Now, she is a member of ECAASU’s Board of Directors. She is working as an internal management consultant for a hedge fund in Connecticut. In addition to Asian American issues, she is interested in technology, product design (especially toys and games), and entrepreneurship.

CALVIN SUN

Board of Directors

calvindsun@gmail.com

Hometown: New York, NY (NYC native baby!)

School: Columbia University

CALVIN SUN is awesome and writes about himself in the third person all the time. Calvin graduated from Columbia University last year as VP of his class and has regularly appeared as a panelist and dancer for MTV while directing numerous independent films. Recently, he received the audience award at the Asian American International Film Festival for his documentary on female body image. Currently, Calvin runs a business in health care and remains an avid dancer and choreographer experienced in hip hop, swing, breakdancing, bhangra, and Bollywood. Finally, Calvin is an expert in rescuing small animals; rumor has it that he performed a direct quadruple coronary bypass on a platypus all while doing pushups with one finger.

ALLEN PAN

Board of Directors

allenpan@law.upenn.edu

This is ALLEN PAN. I am second year law student at the University of Pennsylvania.  In 2007, I directed the ECAASU Conference at Yale.  Since then, I’ve seen ECAASU grow from a disjointed group of student clubs to a national non-profit organization.  Affirmative action, minority voting, and Asian Americans in the legal profession are some of the areas that continue drawing me to ECAASU.  Last but not least, the greatest movies I’ve ever since are: (1) Gran Torino (2) Ratatouille and (3) Dr. Strangelove.

ANDREW LEE

Board of Directors

yenju.andrew.lee@gmail.com

Born in Taiwan, and raised in the suburbs of New Jersey, ANDREW LEE is currently teaching middle school mathematics in the South Bronx.  He inspires his students to conquer the muddy waters of absolute values, polynomials, and Pythagorean Theorem.  While quick to tackle the most daunting of mathematical concepts, his students still often confuse him with the other Asian teacher in the building.  When not teaching, he enjoys drinking bubble tea, petting dogs, and karaoke-ing in downtown NYC.  He graduated with a degree in Economics from Cornell University.

ANJLEE JOSHI

Board of Directors

joshi.anjlee@gmail.com

ANJLEE JOSHI : I am a born and bred Jersey girl who was the Co-Director of ECAASU 2009 at Rutgers University.  Currently, I am a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania earning my Masters in Biotechnology & Bioengineering. I am a complete laugh-a-holic who finds serenity & inspiration in photography and dance.  At heart, I am a complete tomboy and a forever kind of Toys R Us kid, but I still believe in having insatiable ambition for what you are passionate about and always pursuing it and loves that ECAASU is a vehicle to do just that.

MICHELLE HORIKAWA

Board of Directors

Hometown: Wailuku, Hawaii

School: The George Washington University

Hi, I am MICHELLE HORIKAWA and I attend the George Washington University. Just to share a little about me, I am originally from Hawaii.  I am a Psychology and Japanese double major.  I was the President of the GWU Asian umbrella organization, the Asian Student Alliance. I really like meeting people, exploring new places, and trying new activities.

This page was last modified on August 17th, 2010