About the Founders Features

Through researching the origins stories of Asian American student organizations here at W&M, I was able to hear stories and perspectives from former Asian American student leaders from as early as 1991 to as recent as 2021. 

While 1991 seems recent, the world has rapidly changed since then. Discussion of topics regarding race and ethnicity has progressed tremendously.

Alumni from the past 5 years grew up with the first Black President in a post-9/11 world and had their college experiences marked by COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter movement, and Stop AAPI Hate. While alumni from the 90s and early 2000s grew up during the end of the Cold War and the height of the Reagan administration.

With that in mind, students from each major decade—the 90s, 2000s, and 2010s—all have unique experiences and perspectives that illustrate the diversity and history of our community. 

From the start of my project, I have always envisioned sharing the stories that I have heard throughout my research with the greater community in an easily accessible format, so that is why I have included a "Founders Features" section of this website. Each article includes quotes and pictures from student leaders regarding their experiences as Asian Americans at W&M and their leadership with their respective organizations.

Former students' perspectives and stories do not speak for their entire organization and only reflect their views.

Isabella DiFulvio