Core Executive Board
President: Angela Ju
Class of 2013, English & Public Relations
Flavor of Asian: Original....(mainland) Chinese
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Angela joined ASA as a means of sticking to her roots. She believes representing and embracing her heritage is important to shaping who she will eventually become. She has not only met countless friends through ASA but has also enjoyed all of the events that truly remind her why she loves being Asian. Angela is also a coffee addict, so stay away from her if she hasn't had a cup today. Otherwise, she is nice and approachable and would love to get to know you (over another cup of coffee)!
Flavor of Asian: Original....(mainland) Chinese
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Angela joined ASA as a means of sticking to her roots. She believes representing and embracing her heritage is important to shaping who she will eventually become. She has not only met countless friends through ASA but has also enjoyed all of the events that truly remind her why she loves being Asian. Angela is also a coffee addict, so stay away from her if she hasn't had a cup today. Otherwise, she is nice and approachable and would love to get to know you (over another cup of coffee)!
Vice President: Jihoon Baek
Class of 2014 Business/Economics Major, Mathematical Decision Sciences Minor
Flavor: Kimchi Korean
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea (I lived in Charlotte for 12 years)
Jihoon joined ASA because he loves learning about culture- especially Asian cultures. Jihoon also believes that ASA is a great way to make new friends with people that share similar interests/beliefs as he does. Something interesting about Jihoon..."well, I am a very serious and austere man. I have many leather-bound books and my dorm room smells of rich mahogany."
Flavor: Kimchi Korean
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea (I lived in Charlotte for 12 years)
Jihoon joined ASA because he loves learning about culture- especially Asian cultures. Jihoon also believes that ASA is a great way to make new friends with people that share similar interests/beliefs as he does. Something interesting about Jihoon..."well, I am a very serious and austere man. I have many leather-bound books and my dorm room smells of rich mahogany."
Treasurer: Aakash Patel
Class of 2014 Philosophy and Economics with a minor in Chemistry
Flavor of Asian: Curry and Rice
Hometown: Catskills, NY and then Durham, NC and going all the way back to the motherland, Baroda, Gujurat
Aakash joined ASA because he needed to connect more with his Asian heritage, listen to Russel Peters and you'll learn that India is a part of Asia, though a much tanner part :D But yea, ASA seemed like a pretty Boss organization and Aakash wanted to help out with the way Asian-oriented activities were going on campus. Like the typical Indian, he is the accountant for ASA. Asian stuff is awesome because it is so different than anything else experienced in the melting pot of uniformity, but he's taking Japanese (awesome side note) おはよう ございます!!! Some examples of awesome Asian stuff is spiky hair, martial arts, High Expectation Parents, and over exaggerated commercials on tv. Aakash is an avid snowboarder (There WILL be a trip this year!!), Martial artist of the traditional Okinawan descent, and just has an addiction to athletics in general. If you ever want to talk philosophy and how *insert expletive*-ed the world is, just holler!!!
Flavor of Asian: Curry and Rice
Hometown: Catskills, NY and then Durham, NC and going all the way back to the motherland, Baroda, Gujurat
Aakash joined ASA because he needed to connect more with his Asian heritage, listen to Russel Peters and you'll learn that India is a part of Asia, though a much tanner part :D But yea, ASA seemed like a pretty Boss organization and Aakash wanted to help out with the way Asian-oriented activities were going on campus. Like the typical Indian, he is the accountant for ASA. Asian stuff is awesome because it is so different than anything else experienced in the melting pot of uniformity, but he's taking Japanese (awesome side note) おはよう ございます!!! Some examples of awesome Asian stuff is spiky hair, martial arts, High Expectation Parents, and over exaggerated commercials on tv. Aakash is an avid snowboarder (There WILL be a trip this year!!), Martial artist of the traditional Okinawan descent, and just has an addiction to athletics in general. If you ever want to talk philosophy and how *insert expletive*-ed the world is, just holler!!!
Secretary: Rachel Liao
Class of 2013, Economics with Public Policy and Chinese minors
Flavor of Asian: Milk Tea Taiwanese
Hometown: from the ghettos of Cary, NC and then Chapel Hill, NC (middle school and high school)
Why is Rachel in ASA? Rachel joined ASA in her freshman year, because she realized right off the bat that the organization had a strong presence on campus and did big things- JIA and Baby Blue Tournament. Everyone seemed friendly and jumped to make friends with other people. Needless to say, she was excited and could not wait to hop aboard and join the fun.
"I hear that I am a super “chill” girl, but I am always up for making memories and having fun. I believe in learning and growing as a person with each passing day, and I’m happy to lend an ear to a friend any day. My favorite way to pass an afternoon is to chill and catch up with friends. When we know each other well, you will probably be subject to some teasing, but don't worry, I welcome it right back! I also love basketball and shooting around anytime." In addition to being the baller that she is, she is also a closet nerd, so don’t be surprised if she says random things or busts out her Disney and kiddie songs. She loves to eat and she am always down for food. If you ever want a lunch buddy or want to try a new place in town, hit her up!
Flavor of Asian: Milk Tea Taiwanese
Hometown: from the ghettos of Cary, NC and then Chapel Hill, NC (middle school and high school)
Why is Rachel in ASA? Rachel joined ASA in her freshman year, because she realized right off the bat that the organization had a strong presence on campus and did big things- JIA and Baby Blue Tournament. Everyone seemed friendly and jumped to make friends with other people. Needless to say, she was excited and could not wait to hop aboard and join the fun.
"I hear that I am a super “chill” girl, but I am always up for making memories and having fun. I believe in learning and growing as a person with each passing day, and I’m happy to lend an ear to a friend any day. My favorite way to pass an afternoon is to chill and catch up with friends. When we know each other well, you will probably be subject to some teasing, but don't worry, I welcome it right back! I also love basketball and shooting around anytime." In addition to being the baller that she is, she is also a closet nerd, so don’t be surprised if she says random things or busts out her Disney and kiddie songs. She loves to eat and she am always down for food. If you ever want a lunch buddy or want to try a new place in town, hit her up!
Executive Chairs
Events Coordinator: Nick Sanford
Class of 2014 Global Studies/Political Science Major, Japanese minor
Flavor: Any flavor you want baby
Hometown: Originally from CT, but I've lived in Sherrills Ford, NC for 8 years
Nick joined ASA in order to better satisfy his insatiable passion for Asian culture. As a young high schooler, he was yanked up from his roots in his small, country-like town and thrown into NCSSM, a hot spot for Asians in North Carolina. Over his two years of attending there, the Asian fire within grew and burned bright. As this fire consumes him, he no longer just wants to learn about Asian culture, but start to share it with the rest of his friends and the UNC community. What better way to do this than to join the ASA exec board and plan events for everyone? On a non-Asian related note, he likes long walks on the beach, picnics at Duke Gardens, candlelit dinners, Cold Stone, and Dragon Ball Z. If you're looking for a way to his heart, use one or more of those.
Flavor: Any flavor you want baby
Hometown: Originally from CT, but I've lived in Sherrills Ford, NC for 8 years
Nick joined ASA in order to better satisfy his insatiable passion for Asian culture. As a young high schooler, he was yanked up from his roots in his small, country-like town and thrown into NCSSM, a hot spot for Asians in North Carolina. Over his two years of attending there, the Asian fire within grew and burned bright. As this fire consumes him, he no longer just wants to learn about Asian culture, but start to share it with the rest of his friends and the UNC community. What better way to do this than to join the ASA exec board and plan events for everyone? On a non-Asian related note, he likes long walks on the beach, picnics at Duke Gardens, candlelit dinners, Cold Stone, and Dragon Ball Z. If you're looking for a way to his heart, use one or more of those.
Events Coordinator: Ying-Ao Zhang
Class of 2014. Chem/Biochem major, Business Administration/Entrepreneurship minors.
Flavor...Chinese, mainland. "But I've been told I'm more black/white than Asian.. oh well"
Hometown: Jinan, China, to Chapel Hill
Ying figured he should connect with and embrace my inner Asian. Ying also likes planning stuff and completing them for a greater purpose, and what is more satisfying than doing that in conjunction to promoting his culture around the campus? Ying really hasn't done much Asian stuff before this.. but there's a first time for everything right? So far, he thinks it's absolutely great chillin with the awesome exec board (shoutout to ya'll, much ♥), and he hopes his experiences next year will be even better. He also uses chopsticks to eat anything in his room.. including yogurt, so that might be his most Asian quality. Ying plays basketball, and will play with YOU anytime, 25/8. It is his absolute number one love in the world, and sometimes, if he doesn't play he won't be able to sleep at night. Ying's goal is to play on JV next year, and be a part of Blue Steel his senior year. Long story short, BALLISLIFE. Yingy out.
Flavor...Chinese, mainland. "But I've been told I'm more black/white than Asian.. oh well"
Hometown: Jinan, China, to Chapel Hill
Ying figured he should connect with and embrace my inner Asian. Ying also likes planning stuff and completing them for a greater purpose, and what is more satisfying than doing that in conjunction to promoting his culture around the campus? Ying really hasn't done much Asian stuff before this.. but there's a first time for everything right? So far, he thinks it's absolutely great chillin with the awesome exec board (shoutout to ya'll, much ♥), and he hopes his experiences next year will be even better. He also uses chopsticks to eat anything in his room.. including yogurt, so that might be his most Asian quality. Ying plays basketball, and will play with YOU anytime, 25/8. It is his absolute number one love in the world, and sometimes, if he doesn't play he won't be able to sleep at night. Ying's goal is to play on JV next year, and be a part of Blue Steel his senior year. Long story short, BALLISLIFE. Yingy out.
Social Coordinator: Kevin Cheng
Class of 2014, Business Major
Flavor of Asian, Taiwanese all the way, none of that mainland crap ♥ Ying
Hometown: Originally born in Hackensack NJ, but Charlotte NC now
Kevin joined ASA because he thought it was time to embrace his Asian side. Instead of being a Twinky( like he was in high school). He wanted to meet all of his long lost brothers and sisters and thought ASA would be perfect for that. Kevin loves Asian food and cannot go without rice for more than 2 days at most. Kevin's favorite Asian thing ever is Pokemon, his favorites are all from the original season, including: Jigglypuff, and Pikachu. Somethings about Kevin: he is someone who enjoys meeting new people and is always open to new things. He enjoys playing sports, hanging out with friends, and eating. If you want to get on his good side just bring him food. When looking at people, especially women, Kevin doesn't care about looks...(well ok they do matter a bit), he doesn't care about intelligence, or humor, the only skill he wants is the ability to make a good sandwich.
Flavor of Asian, Taiwanese all the way, none of that mainland crap ♥ Ying
Hometown: Originally born in Hackensack NJ, but Charlotte NC now
Kevin joined ASA because he thought it was time to embrace his Asian side. Instead of being a Twinky( like he was in high school). He wanted to meet all of his long lost brothers and sisters and thought ASA would be perfect for that. Kevin loves Asian food and cannot go without rice for more than 2 days at most. Kevin's favorite Asian thing ever is Pokemon, his favorites are all from the original season, including: Jigglypuff, and Pikachu. Somethings about Kevin: he is someone who enjoys meeting new people and is always open to new things. He enjoys playing sports, hanging out with friends, and eating. If you want to get on his good side just bring him food. When looking at people, especially women, Kevin doesn't care about looks...(well ok they do matter a bit), he doesn't care about intelligence, or humor, the only skill he wants is the ability to make a good sandwich.
Social Coordinator: Valerie Eng
Class of 2014 Biomedical Engineering Major
Flavor: Chinese. but she thinks all flavors are yummy.
Hometown: technically Warren, NJ. but Chapel Hill, NC
Val joined ASA to play a greater role in promoting Asian culture at UNC and surrounding communities. Her personal goals are to create and hold events that allow people to learn about Asian culture, meet ASA members and non-members, become involved in the community, and, most importantly, have fun. Aside from ASA, she loves spending time with her family and friends, watching movies, listening to music, and competing with Carolina Mock Trial. If you want to get to know her better, take her bungee jumping. Or take her out for a drive around town in a convertible. Or show her your moves out on the dance floor. She likes those things.
Flavor: Chinese. but she thinks all flavors are yummy.
Hometown: technically Warren, NJ. but Chapel Hill, NC
Val joined ASA to play a greater role in promoting Asian culture at UNC and surrounding communities. Her personal goals are to create and hold events that allow people to learn about Asian culture, meet ASA members and non-members, become involved in the community, and, most importantly, have fun. Aside from ASA, she loves spending time with her family and friends, watching movies, listening to music, and competing with Carolina Mock Trial. If you want to get to know her better, take her bungee jumping. Or take her out for a drive around town in a convertible. Or show her your moves out on the dance floor. She likes those things.
Cultural Coordinator: Elle Law
Class of 2014, Biology -not pre med!
Flavor: Scrambled Eggs... aka half Chinese, half Estonian (Elle awards brownie points to those who know where that is!).
Hometown: Originally Ellicott CIty, Maryland but now nearby Raleigh, NC as of 7 years ago
The Saga Behind Joining ASA: As a middle schooler who followed Wong Fu Productions's youtube religously, Elle determined she would join the ASA of her future college to be a part of similar events that brought the Asian community together, as she saw various ASAs doing at the college tours Wong Fu went on. After going on the annual ASA beach trip freshman year (she highly recommends going!), she met tons of cool people, and realized she would have even more fun in ASA planning events both with and for said cool people.
Elle loves meeting new people, eating rice, running around with nerf guns- Humans vs Zombies, Chinese dance since she was 9 years old, longboarding, reading, ornithology, petting puppies of random strangers, being punny, making videos (if you ever need any help, find her in the MRC!), studying in the UL, and being asian in general. ^_^ She is also a coffee fiend (several self imposed mental rehabs have failed) and has never had a meal plan, so join her for a cooking party if you need a wok!
Flavor: Scrambled Eggs... aka half Chinese, half Estonian (Elle awards brownie points to those who know where that is!).
Hometown: Originally Ellicott CIty, Maryland but now nearby Raleigh, NC as of 7 years ago
The Saga Behind Joining ASA: As a middle schooler who followed Wong Fu Productions's youtube religously, Elle determined she would join the ASA of her future college to be a part of similar events that brought the Asian community together, as she saw various ASAs doing at the college tours Wong Fu went on. After going on the annual ASA beach trip freshman year (she highly recommends going!), she met tons of cool people, and realized she would have even more fun in ASA planning events both with and for said cool people.
Elle loves meeting new people, eating rice, running around with nerf guns- Humans vs Zombies, Chinese dance since she was 9 years old, longboarding, reading, ornithology, petting puppies of random strangers, being punny, making videos (if you ever need any help, find her in the MRC!), studying in the UL, and being asian in general. ^_^ She is also a coffee fiend (several self imposed mental rehabs have failed) and has never had a meal plan, so join her for a cooking party if you need a wok!
Cultural Coordinator: Megan Huang
Megan Huang
Class of 2014
Nutrition major, French and Spanish minor
Flavor: Taiwanese
Hometown: Chapel Hill
Megan joined ASA because she decided that it was time to stop letting people laugh at her for her American-sounding Chinese accent and start fully embracing her Asian Americandom and all of the factors that resulted in her hybridity. ASA provides the perfect opportunity for people to explore their Asian obsessions and she enjoys that. She also enjoys seeing people’s reactions when they encounter Asians not sleeping and not in the library. She first got into Asian culture when she was born. Her most Asian quality is definitely her black hair and brown, pretty-much-black eyes. But in all seriousness, she is more Asian than that. One activity that shows her extreme Asianinity is that she plays piano, though she’s not very good at it which is not characteristic of most Asians. Other things she enjoys include doing the DTH crossword puzzle in her morning class, making up words, playing ridiculous amounts of tennis and people-watching.
Class of 2014
Nutrition major, French and Spanish minor
Flavor: Taiwanese
Hometown: Chapel Hill
Megan joined ASA because she decided that it was time to stop letting people laugh at her for her American-sounding Chinese accent and start fully embracing her Asian Americandom and all of the factors that resulted in her hybridity. ASA provides the perfect opportunity for people to explore their Asian obsessions and she enjoys that. She also enjoys seeing people’s reactions when they encounter Asians not sleeping and not in the library. She first got into Asian culture when she was born. Her most Asian quality is definitely her black hair and brown, pretty-much-black eyes. But in all seriousness, she is more Asian than that. One activity that shows her extreme Asianinity is that she plays piano, though she’s not very good at it which is not characteristic of most Asians. Other things she enjoys include doing the DTH crossword puzzle in her morning class, making up words, playing ridiculous amounts of tennis and people-watching.
Outreach Chair/Webmaster: Justin Huang
Class of 2013 Quantitative Biology/Mathematics Majors and Computer Science minor
Flavor: Taiwanese
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Justin joined Asian Students Association as a freshman and served as the freshman representative for the 2009-2010 school year, and as the President for the 2010-2011 school year. He loves all aspects of Asian culture, but most notably the food, especially sushi. Growing up, Justin was a part of a traditional Lion and Dragon dance troupe and is an avid DotA player. Justin is also currently an RA, and a brother of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Justin now serves as the self-appointed Head Diva of ASA and makes sure no one hates him because he is beautiful.
Flavor: Taiwanese
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Justin joined Asian Students Association as a freshman and served as the freshman representative for the 2009-2010 school year, and as the President for the 2010-2011 school year. He loves all aspects of Asian culture, but most notably the food, especially sushi. Growing up, Justin was a part of a traditional Lion and Dragon dance troupe and is an avid DotA player. Justin is also currently an RA, and a brother of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Justin now serves as the self-appointed Head Diva of ASA and makes sure no one hates him because he is beautiful.
Publicity Coordinator: Jasmin (Jammin') Huang
Class 1.5 Hazardous Material: Blasting Agent (being around her might make you explode with happiness), Biology (and maybe graphic design double) Major, Spanish with Professions Minor
Flavor: Sweet
Hometown: Cary, NC
Jasmin is in ASA because of familial obligations to the Head Diva. She was recruited to complement the lack of artistic ability exhibited by the Head Diva. Though she makes fun of Justin a lot, they make the cutest sibling pair you'll ever find. Jasmin loves ASA because she's already met a whole posse of super-awesome Asian-culture-loving friends. Her most Asian feature (aside from her Asian-girl mannerisms and love for anything cute) is her occupation as a part-time ninja. She sneaks silently around on rainy days and offers an extra umbrella and walking buddy to unaccompanied strangers missing the vital keep-dry tool, which seems to be her strange way of making friends. When Jasmin isn't working on ASA stuff, she's sleeping. During the rare moments of consciousness, she might be drawing Pokémon, eating, thinking of ways to make people feel slightly uncomfortable, saving the world, procrastinating, encouraging others not to procrastinate, taming animals with food, cuddling, and hugging, though perhaps not necessarily at the same time. She is also known as Jammin' because a few of her friends have issues speaking properly for some reason.
Flavor: Sweet
Hometown: Cary, NC
Jasmin is in ASA because of familial obligations to the Head Diva. She was recruited to complement the lack of artistic ability exhibited by the Head Diva. Though she makes fun of Justin a lot, they make the cutest sibling pair you'll ever find. Jasmin loves ASA because she's already met a whole posse of super-awesome Asian-culture-loving friends. Her most Asian feature (aside from her Asian-girl mannerisms and love for anything cute) is her occupation as a part-time ninja. She sneaks silently around on rainy days and offers an extra umbrella and walking buddy to unaccompanied strangers missing the vital keep-dry tool, which seems to be her strange way of making friends. When Jasmin isn't working on ASA stuff, she's sleeping. During the rare moments of consciousness, she might be drawing Pokémon, eating, thinking of ways to make people feel slightly uncomfortable, saving the world, procrastinating, encouraging others not to procrastinate, taming animals with food, cuddling, and hugging, though perhaps not necessarily at the same time. She is also known as Jammin' because a few of her friends have issues speaking properly for some reason.