Candidate Statements for SAPAAC Board of Directors
Nine candidates were nominated to serve on the SAPAAC Board for a two year term beginning in July 2008. SAPAAC members were mailed ballots to their designated email address on Monday, June 30. Voting will close Monday, July 14. The new Board will be announced soon after the vote is counted. Eangelica Aton (Nominated by Ardith Ibanez Nishii, '94)Class of 1993
Statement of Candidacy
Eangelica is a dedicated community leader and devoted friend. She has work experience in many different fields including public health, technology, and urban studies. She is passionate about everything she does! She defines high-energy and motivation. Once I learned that she recently moved to San Francisco, I knew I should nominate her. Diana Austria
Class of 2008 (Bachelor of Arts with Honors, Human Biology; Minor, Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity)
Statement of Candidacy
As I prepare to graduate this upcoming June, I am committed to continuing my entire life one unforgettable lesson that I’ve learned in my four years here at Stanford: to be engaged, active, and involved. My experiences as a member of, student leader within, and strong advocate for the Asian American community have opened my eyes to and developed in me a deep and profound understanding of the realities of the world we live in. Thus, I believe that it is absolutely imperative for the Asian American voice to be heard regarding both campus matters and broader community issues. I hope to not only continue serving student, alumni, and campus communities through this opportunity, but also, now on the other side, work to strengthen the bridges that link and nurture us all together. Thank you so much in advance for you consideration. Fidelia Butt
Class of 1988
Statement of Candidacy
There are many cool things about Stanford that I will always remember. What stands out most for me is the sense of community. Such ties keep me engaged and wanting to give back somehow to the Stanford community. One way I found to stay in touch was to volunteer on the SAPAAC board. I have completed one term where I have seen SAPAAC through a challenging, but positive transition. One special highlight for me has been to represent SAPAAC on the A3C advisory board. There are more Asian/Pacific Islander students at Stanford than ever before and they could represent the future of SAPAAC given their tremendous talents. There is so much potential for community building among Stanford Asian American/Pacific Islander alumni and for connection with the students. I would consider it a privilege if allowed to continue a second term with a new group of energetic board members. Stefanie Fan
AM in Education '00
Statement of Candidacy
As a high school teacher at a public school in Cupertino, CA, I feel that it is very important to give back to the community. Over the past several years, I've been lucky enough to participate in various fundraising activities within the community. For example, I have volunteered for Yu-Ai Kai's annual mochitsuki and their monthly birthday senior events. Additionally, I sought to get my students involved in those events as well as West Valley JACL's mochitsuki. My involvement in the Asian community also extends to being a volunteer judge for the Asian Pacific Fund's Growing Up Asian in America Essay and Art Contests. Serving on SAPAAC's Board would be a unique opportunity to help with outreach on important issues affecting our community, such as the retention and hiring of APA faculty and ensuring adequate resources for current APA students (e.g., on mental health issues). In particular, I am interested in increasing the participation of more alumni from the various graduate programs and being part of the broader effort to increase the visibility of important matters that face our alumni. Solina Kwan
Class of 1992
Statement of Candidacy
I am and have historically been a vocal/effective advocate for Stanford Asian-Pacific-Americans. My 1992 Lyon’s Award for Service noted my success as the first ever undergraduate-women-of-color to serve as ASSU Senate Chair – a position I achieved only by cultivating the support of AASA, other communities of color, and graduates/undergrad senators alike. Subsequently, I was tapped by the President to work with the University Board of Trustees to revamp Trustee Selection; we created the Alumni Trustees framework, and I happily report that we have two Asian-Americans in these slots. I am an active alumna – I work on admissions outreach and on the board of Stanford-Professional-Women. I am a lifetime member of SAPAAC, SAA, and Stanford Associates. Professionally, I co-founded SICN – Stanford-Independent-Consulting-Network. I have a track record of making a difference for causes I believe in …I am a mother, consultant, academic (law professor’s) wife – a dynamic, passionate, and dedicated team player. Bianca Ling
Class of 1999
Statement of Candidacy
I am interested in joining the Board of Directors of SAPAAC because I would like to see SAPAAC expand its scope and reach to APA alumni as well as help strengthen the ties between the University and the APA alumni community. A few examples of initiatives I'd be interested in working with SAPAAC to undertake are a survey of or town hall meetings with APA alums around the country and world to better understand how to increase involvement and improve the value of SAPAAC, a monthly e-newsletter highlighting on-campus news (i.e., Asian American faculty news, student organization highlights) and SAPAAC events, and career networking events in conjunction with the A3C and current students. As a former leader of AASA, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to re-connect more directly with the Stanford community. I believe that one of Stanford's greatest advantages is its diverse alumni and student community and I'm excited to be a part of SAPAAC. Rishi Mandal
Class of 2007 (B.S. in Physics)
Statement of Candidacy
As a student and a leader at Stanford, I learned that the power of community is what ultimately makes The Farm a special place. Now, as a proud alum, I want to participate in--and strengthen--the support-network that Stanford's Asian American community has built over the years. Being a recent graduate, I'm very interested in exciting young alumni about the professional and social resources that SAPAAC and the Asian American community can offer. I am currently a product manager with a startup company dedicated to building the web's best video search engine. As a PM, I oversee all activities related to product development, user experience, product quality and search quality. My community experience includes being an intern at the Asian American Activities Center (A3C) where I helped shape the A3C's agenda and policies aimed at increasing student engagement in the Asian Community and helped organize and publicize social and educational events around campus. I was also a Resident Assistant, Captain of the Stanford Men's Club Soccer Team, an active member of Sanskriti, and an Internal Strategy Officer of FACE AIDS, a non-profit organization that actively raises awareness and money on over 150 college campuses across America to fight AIDS in Africa. Takeo Rivera
Class of 2008 (Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity with Honors)
Coterminal Masters Student, 2009 (Modern Thought & Literature)
Statement of Candidacy
To me, SAPAAC represents a way for me to continue the work I have passionately pursued throughout these last four years as an undergraduate. Whether as a two-year Okada RA, an organizer in the Stanford Asian American Activism Committee, the Community Building Coordinator of the A3C, a performance poet, or a playwright; my main intention at Stanford has been to build community by simultaneously nurturing others and sparking dialogue. Recently, I have earned the A3C's Community Building Award, but I have no intention of letting the award be reflective of my only past; I want it to reflect my present and future as well. I wouldn't like to abandon the work I have done, nor would I like to see the API campus resources that have nurtured me decline. There remains much to be done; please consider me for the SAPAAC Board so that I may contribute to these efforts. Sandra D. Yuen
Class of 1973 (B.A. in Psychology)
Statement of Candidacy
Graduated from Stanford with a BA in psychology in 1973, and subsequently earned an MA and PhD from the Stanford School of Education. Served on the founding board of SAPAAC in various capacities, including as program chair and board president. Have mentored Stanford students through the Asian American Interactive Mentoring Program for over 12 years. Member, Stanford Associates. Extremely interested in Asian American community issues at Stanford, especially faculty recruitment, tenure and retention. Professionally have over 30 years of experience in educational and social services research and evaluation, participating in large scale evaluations of educational programs, including national and community service programs, career education, bilingual education, refugee resettlement, early education and medical training.