MAASU Newsletter | Page 4

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI’S ASIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION Who are you? My name is Zach Morrison, the current President of Mizzou’s Asian American Association. I’m studying Biochemistry and expected to graduate in Spring 2016. MEMBER SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT Each month, we’d like to showcase and feature one of our member schools. Through these member school spotlights, we’d like to share the activities and experiences of other schools, hoping to further connect and bridge the Asian and Pacific Islander American college communities closer together. The strength behind a community is the building blocks that we all represent, coming together as one. If you’d like your school and organization to be featured or have any questions, please email us at [email protected]. How would you describe the space that Mizzou’s Asian American Association occupies on campus? Our AAA strives to provide an inclusive community for any student interested in learning about Asian American culture, history, and current issues. We also aim to provide a voice for the Asian American community on campus. Are there any specific issues (immigration, identity, etc.) that you personally want to focus on? This year, one topic I would like to focus on is leadership in the Asian American community and the bamboo ceiling. I think the fact that Asians and Asian Americans are often passed over for promotions and upper level management positions is something that that college students especially should be discussing, not only because it is a very real problem Asian Americans are facing, but also because it has ties to multiple other APIA issues such as negative consequences of the model minority myth, stereotype portrayal in the media, and others. What are some specific or overall goals for the organization as a whole? This upcoming year, I would like to see a larger turnout at our events but at the same time, I want to have quality events that are engaging and get members involved. Overall, I hope that AAA is able to help foster and build a tight knit community for all of its members.