“In my present function as affiliate vice chancellor and dean of scholars, I totally take pleasure in with the ability to join with college students and perceive their distinctive experiences,” mentioned Sunny Lee, affiliate vice chancellor and dean of scholars. (UC Berkeley photograph by Keegan Houser)
On this On My Thoughts column, Sunny Lee, affiliate vice chancellor and dean of scholars, discusses how her Asian American identification informs her work at UC Berkeley
I grew up within the Inland Empire, an hour east of Los Angeles. I used to be one of many solely Asian Individuals in my neighborhood. My mother and father had made the brave resolution to go away South Korea as immigrants and make a life for our household in america. They labored laborious, sacrificing their very own careers and social standing to provide my brother and me one of the best alternatives they might.
In 1992, throughout my senior 12 months of highschool, the Rodney King video was launched, which sparked civil unrest in Los Angeles. The response in Koreatown and portrayals within the media raised many questions for me about racialized violence. It was throughout this time that I grew to become desirous about social justice and fairness points, which was solely solidified after I went away to school.
As one of many few Asian college students at her Southern California highschool, Lee mentioned she “grew to become desirous about social justice and fairness points.” (Photograph courtesy Sunny Lee)
After I began at UC Irvine, I took programs in Asian American research and girls’s research and acquired concerned in numerous pupil organizations, together with a student-run Asian American newspaper. I spotted then that I wished to use what I realized within the classroom to sensible management and that increased schooling, significantly pupil affairs, could possibly be a profession path for me.
After finishing my undergraduate diploma, I pursued a grasp’s diploma on the College of Maryland and served as a coordinator for pupil involvement and ethnicity. Working in these areas to empower college students of colour raised my confidence, and I felt woke up. After commencement, I took a place at Pomona Faculty as assistant director of the Asian American Useful resource Heart. I loved being a part of the transformational journey for college kids, wherever they had been of their identification improvement.
In 2015, Lee, pictured right here along with her household, acquired her Ph.D. in increased schooling administration from Claremont Graduate College. (Photograph courtesy Sunny Lee)
I pursued comparable roles at my alma mater and Cal Poly Pomona earlier than I discovered my house at UC Berkeley. Because the assistant ombudsperson for college kids, I used to be capable of assist college students navigate the challenges of school life.
In my present function as affiliate vice chancellor and dean of scholars, I totally take pleasure in with the ability to join with college students and perceive their distinctive experiences. Whereas I could not have the ability to relate to each pupil’s particular person expertise, I do know what it feels prefer to be seen and to matter. I’m aware of the totally different lived experiences that our college students convey to the desk, particularly at a prestigious establishment like Berkeley, the place they might not really feel like they belong.
“I even have a deep sense of gratitude for those who have paved the best way earlier than me, like my mother and father,” mentioned Lee, proven right here on this 1977 photograph. (Photograph courtesy Sunny Lee)
As I replicate alone experiences throughout this Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I’m proud that Berkeley has acquired the federal designation to change into an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Establishment (AANAPISI). This designation will permit us to raised deal with the various wants of Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native American college students, in addition to school and workers — particularly those that are underrepresented and low-income beneath the big AA and PI umbrella.
As an Asian American dean of scholars, I’m keenly conscious that I’m typically the one one that appears like me within the room. I perceive the significance of making areas the place all voices of all identities will be heard and valued. I’m looking forward to my very own youngsters’s future and that they, too, will discover a sense of belonging and function of their tutorial pursuits.
I even have a deep sense of gratitude for those who have paved the best way earlier than me, like my mother and father. I stand on the shoulders of many brave risk-takers and am honored to do my half by being in service to our campus neighborhood.