Welcome!
The Asian American Studies Program is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the scholarship and experiences of Americans, Pacific Islanders, and immigrants to the United States from Asian and Asian American heritage groups. The program sheds light on Asian American experiences and concerns, both historically and in contemporary times.
The program offers a certificate in Asian American Studies, and a HMoob American Studies emphasis. Throughout the academic year the program fosters community through gatherings, speaking events, study breaks and more.
Spring 26 with Asian American Studies
Program News
AAS Team Presents at UW Academic & Career Success Conference
This March at the UW-Madison Academic & Career Success Conference, AAS staff, faculty, students and collaborating partners presented on coalitions and collaborations. Represented by Professor Lisa Ho, Program Administrator Jessica Montez, and Certificate Student Britney …
March 27, 2026
Local Bookstore Hosts AASP Faculty’s Discussion of Newly Published Books
During February, two of our very own faculty Professor Kong Pheng Pha and Professor Rachel Kuo held a joint talk to discuss their respective books. In a thoughtful, lively discussion between the two, Prof. Kuo …
March 3, 2026
#AtlantaSyllabus
Syllabus PDF Available Here On March 16, 2021, eight people were killed at Atlanta-area spa businesses — six of whom were Asian women. Despite the fact that two of the women were Chinese and four were Korean, news media were quick to deny racist motivations. Worse yet, an official spokesperson for the sheriff’s office investigating…
May 4, 2021
Events
There are no upcoming events.
Annual Newsletter & Opportunities
AMY LING YELLOW LIGHT AWARDS
The Amy Ling Yellow Light Awards is open for submissions in early spring. Learn more about submission guidelines.
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
Learn about our AASP Ambassador Program and how you can become one!
AASP Faculty Making Headlines
Current Course Offerings
Full Course Listings
Junior Faculty
Kong Pheng Pha
Professor Pha joined us as an Assistant Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Asian American Studies. His research focuses on Southeast Asian gender & sexual politics and race. Prof. Kong teaches courses on migration, displacement, gender & sexuality, and the Hmong American experience.
Mai See Thao
Professor Thao will be joining us as an Anna Julia Cooper Postdoctoral Fellow, and an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Asian American Studies. Her research focuses on legacies of imperialism, violence, and post-refugee experiences, particularly on chronic diseases and health outcomes. Professor Thao teaches courses on migration, the Cold War & Southeast Asian memories, and collective trauma.
Rachel Kuo
Professor Kuo joined us as an Assistant Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Asian American Studies. Her research focuses on feminist politics, race, social movements, and digital communications. Professor Kuo teaches courses on feminist social movements and Asian American perspectives on feminist organizing.
ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES FACULTY
New Books by Faculty
Movement Media: In Pursuit of Solidarity by Professor Rachel Kuo
All the Flowers Kneeling by Professor Paul Tran
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