
The Asian American Studies Department is dedicated to academic and community-based goals, including promoting student learning and intellectual growth, stimulating professional growth and development among its faculty and staff, enhancing and empowering Asian/Pacific Islander communities locally and globally, and highlighting relevant social, economic, political, legal, and cultural issues within existing and emerging communities.
Founded in 1990, AAS is a vibrant interdisciplinary department that offers a major/double major and minor in Asian American Studies. Many AAS graduates work in a number of diverse fields, including education, entertainment, journalism, social work, community service, business and law. Please check out our academic program page for more information on our courses and for advisement information.
Departmental Highlights
- Welcome! We made many changes to our website including a new page called "What's New" to provide you with upcoming events information and departmental news.
- AAS Graduation Reception, May 23rd, Wednesday 4:30 to 5:30 pm, Whitsett Room, SH 451.
- College of Humanities Graduation Ceremony, May 23rd, Wednesday 6:30 pm, Oviatt Lawn.
- The department once again congratulates Dr. Tracy Buenavista for another Polished Apple Award in teaching!
- The department is proud to announce that Dr. Clem Lai, our new Assistant Professor, has been selected for the 2012/13 Humanities Research Fellow.
- Starting this new 2011-12 academic year, the Department is pleased to welcome two new tenure-track assistant faculty members:
- Dr. Tomo Hattori to fill our AAPI Literatures and Cultural Studies position.
- Dr. Clem Lai to fill our AAPI History, Politics, and Public Policy position.

