FRESNO, Calif. – At a campus-wide commencement ceremony this weekend, Fresno State will be marking a historic milestone: it will welcome its first graduating class from the newly founded Asian American Studies program. The program focuses on studying and sharing the experiences of Asian Americans, specifically through the lens of the communities settled in the Central Valley.
For Daisy Thao, who’s graduating with a bachelor’s degree in the field, the moment carries deep personal meaning.
“To be able to still be here and to see that come to fruition, it’s just so heartwarming,” she said.
Thao, who is Hmong, says the program gave her an opportunity to better understand her own heritage while helping others learn about communities often overlooked in the Valley.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 12% of Fresno County residents identify as Asian. Still, Thao says representation in education has long been limited.
“Even though being in the Central Valley, we do have a very large Hmong population, Lao and Cambodian as well…we are very underrepresented,” she said. “It struck a chord in my heart because it’s really eye-opening to be able to see other peers get to learn about my community and who we are as a people.”
Jenny Banh, a professor of anthropology as well as Asian American Studies, is the coordinator of the department. She has been building the program since she arrived at Fresno State in 2016.
“I think that’s a long time coming,” Banh said. “It probably should have come here years ago, but it’s right on time.”
She emphasized that the major is designed for all students — not only Asian Americans.
“It doesn’t just benefit Asian Americans,” Banh said. “It benefits Latino Americans, African Americans, because you should know about your fellow neighbor.”
Anthropology professor Seng Vang also teaches in the program, including immigration histories, identity, education and the contributions of Asian Americans to society.
“We also don’t see Asian Americans in history,” Vang said. “A lot of our courses cover these topics, looking at the missing history of Asian Americans, their contributions, identity and education.”
Vang added that anti-Asian discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted why these conversations remain important.
Fresno State is now the first university in the San Joaquin Valley to offer degrees in Asian American Studies, following about two dozen universities statewide, as well as several community colleges offering similar coursework.
Bao Lo, director of Asian American Studies at California State University, Sacramento, said Fresno’s diversity makes the program especially valuable.
“Fresno is a unique place,” Lo said. “There’s a lot of diversity there, but not a lot of opportunities.”
Lo says the program also helps challenge misconceptions about what the term “Asian American” actually means.
“One of my students thought the term Asian American meant you were white and Asian,” she said – whereas it can mean any mix of races, or simply someone of Asian descent but raised in the U.S.
For Thao, graduating is only the beginning. She plans to pursue nursing while also earning a master’s degree in Asian American Studies.
“I just hope to still be an advocate for the Asian American Studies program and inspire students to think outside the box,” she said.