The Filipino American dream: Dr. Ryan Leano

By AJ Yabut

Professor Ryan Leano and Student in a K-pop Concert (Photo by @igodoe_ on instagram)

In an alternate universe, Dr. Ryan Leano would have been busting moves while traveling the world. Perhaps, he could be found in hospitals and clinics fulfilling the Filipino dream of becoming a nurse. But instead, he found a purpose in becoming an educator. Now, Leano can be found at the heart of the ethnic studies department at CSUF and is the faculty adviser to one of the biggest organizations on-campus, PASA (Philipinx-American Student Association), and a sister organization that advocates for social justice, BK (Bayanihan Kollective)

But before Leano had found his passion for ethnic studies and teaching, he had a career elsewhere. “ I actually did have a career in dance during my college years. Many of the people I danced with pursued dance as a professional career… I was really close to doing that,” Leano said while reminiscing. He mentioned his gratitude toward the people he has met in his dance career. Most of his peers made it big in the dance scene. Some of them traveled to Germany, Italy, Shanghai, etc. One of them just happened to be Shawn Evaristo, the man who choreographed the iconic K-pop song, “Wedding Dress” by Taeyang. Leano expresses how proud he is to have met Evaristo, “I wouldn't say we're tight or anything like that but yes, I know him, and he’s my friend”, Leano says. Sometimes he wonders what his life would have been like if he joined his peers to become the renowned dancers they are today. Although he has pursued a different path, he found a way to cheer them on– by listening to the K-pop songs that his peers have choreographed.

Out of all of the majors out there, why ethnic studies? Well, Leano says “I was always into history anyway. So why not learn about the history of my people?” as he dug deeper, more things unfolded that urged Leano to fulfill a career in ethnic studies. Leano added, “It’s not just to the history of the Filipino-American community but also to our history of people in the Philippines and the problems that need to be addressed in our community” his empathy towards his community pointed him to the direction of deciding to dedicate his life for that very cause. To become an Asian-American studies professor and fight for his community.

One thing to note is that, during his time as an undergrad, Leano was one of the two students who earned their degree in ethnic studies. That’s when Leano realized, “If there's not a lot of us who look like me, then I must be that professor. Maybe not intentionally start a trend, but at least, you know, get my foot in the door in terms of representing from a community in academia.” Since then, Leano has been teaching at CSUF for 8 years and has been a role model to his students. Leano says, “I believe that in order to be an effective educator, you have to at least understand what your students are into, and with an open mind he connected with his students in a unique and trendy way– through K-pop. With that, Leano expressed that, “In the process of trying to understand third-generation K-pop , I fell down the rabbit hole and didn’t climb out”. It was truly a full-circle moment for Leano. Who knew that Kpop would be the common denominator from cheering his peers that pursued a career in dance and the connection he established to understand his students? There are videos that have circulated within the Filipinx-American community of Leano dancing to Kpop songs with his students. He says, “They were surprised *that I knew the choreography* but to be honest, they probably know it much better than I do”, and that is the reason why his students adore him. Here are a few words that his students would describe him to be “He is someone who is actively on the front lines fighting for the rights of Filipino. He is someone I aspire to be as a community leader” (Chris Abelgas).

So whether you had met Dr. Ryan Leano back when he was a dancer or within the campus of Cal State Fullerton, Leano is without a doubt one of the people who can jive with everyone. He is an inspiration to many. The world would be a better place if we had more people like him.

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