Kimberly Lee ’19

Being highly involved with the Inclusion & Diversity Office under the direction of Alexander Hines. It helped shaped my knowledge and who I am, and created opportunities for me. Another favorite part was being highly involved with the Hmong American Student Association club here at WSU. I was President of the club for three terms. Being Hmong is a big part of my identity that I embrace, especially in a PWI University. Having been part of this club, I also helped other Hmong students here at WSU as well as non-Hmong students. Family is a huge aspect in our culture and this club is a second family to most of us. A home away from home. I enjoyed educating the campus and community about our history and culture, through events like the Hmong New Year, student panels and a film showing.

That if you do not educate yourself on issues, people will talk to the left of you, to the right of you, over you, under you and right through you. After hearing this, I was motivated to connect with my identity of being a Hmong, Asian-American, a woman and part of the LGBTQ+. With my intersectionality, I chose to use the platform of being President of HASA to advocate for the Hmong student voices on campus including our culture, history and issues we face on the daily.

Alexander Hines, former director of the Inclusion & Diversity office, and Xao Vang, Director of Lourdes Hall/ Advisor of HASA.

The power of my voice in advocacy.

It is important to surround yourself with diversity and have the willingness to learn about others.