Congratulations to our 2021 Asian American Studies graduates!
Michelle Abramowitz – American Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
Jane Vivian Fu Jackson – Architecture, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
Chris Kartawira – Mechanical Engineering, Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Jaeeun Kim – Industrial and Labor Relations
Prinita Mukherjee – Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences
Dienst Maria Silaban – Computer Science, College of Computing and Information Science
Louise Xie – Biology & Society, College of Arts and Sciences
Kevin Zong – Government, College of Arts and Sciences
Selections from Student Bios and Reflections
“The Asian American Studies Program and my coursework in Asian American Studies has been extremely influential and one of my favorite parts of my Cornell experience. Taking courses in the program shifted how I view histories and storytelling and gave me a much more critical eye into which narratives are traditionally included and excluded in United States history, which is incredibly important for me as an American studies major. Learning more about Asian American history and narratives through my coursework has prepared me in being a more vocal ally to the AAPI community, which is particularly crucial now, during a period of increased anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States.”
Michelle Abramowitz (American Studies) is from Brooklyn, New York and serves as the President of Cornell Interfaith Council and the Co-President of Cornell Arts and Sciences Ambassadors. She previously served as the Chair of Cultural Programming of Cornell Hillel. Additionally, Michelle is a member of the Class of 2021 Convocation Committee. This year, she worked on a senior research thesis about Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants and Chinese immigrants and their restaurants in New York City, including chop suey restaurants in Chinatown. Michelle loves scuba diving, dogs, and watching Curb Your Enthusiasm, and will be working as a corporate paralegal at Paul, Weiss in New York City after graduation.
“The time I’ve spent in the Asian American Studies Program has prepared and inspired me for a life-long journey of advocacy and activism surrounding Asian-American issues at the grassroots level. The knowledge and wisdom I have gained from Professors Chang and Wong, classmates, guest speakers and readings have sharpened my passions for racial justice and AAS education, especially in the context of communities of faith. The AASP has been a training ground where I’ve been able to refine my thoughts and ideas, grow in empathy and humility, and develop an urgency and desire to be involved in the modern day social movements that are seeking to take a stand against racial injustice.”
Hailing from Cary, North Carolina, Chris Kartawira (Mechanical Engineering) is a MechE who hopes to one day work on spaceships and rockets that will advance humanity’s exploration of the cosmos. Over the course of his college career, he has been involved with Asian American Intervarsity, Measureless A Capella, Cornell Hyperloop, and the Cornell Table Tennis Club. His hobbies include hiking, jamming w/ his guitar, and serving as a chef at the “Fry House.”
“The Intro to Asian American Studies taught by Professor Christine Balance inspired me to undertake the minor. I took it during the Spring 2020 semester when we shifted to online learning, and the climate of anti-Asian hate crimes was growing amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The class provided us with a safe space to navigate these tensions and incorporated elements situated in the real world that could make a difference. We worked on a social media engagement project to raise awareness on Asian American issues to a real audience, read diverse narratives and watched impactful films about the AAPI community's history. It was heartwarming to witness Cornellians emotionally supporting one another as a class.”
Prinita Mukherjee (Anthropology) is an international student from Singapore. She is currently working on an honors thesis investigating the experiences of low-wage migrant laborers from South Asia and Southeast Asia. In her free time, she loves music, photography, film, exploring new places, and spending time with loved ones. After graduation, she plans to complete her MPhil in Social Anthropological Research at the University of Cambridge.
“Over the course of these four years, the Asian American Studies Program has become pivotal to my time at Cornell. I began by taking AASP courses as way to make sense of and to affirm my own Asian American identity, but found that the courses and discussions also challenged me to find common ground with others, to listen to stories outside of my own experience, and equipped me with the critical thinking to consider the through lines of history, politics, society, and culture. While I probably won’t remember much of prelim-cramming or late-night studying, the conversations I’ve had with fellow professors and classmates about community-building and activism will be remembered far beyond my time at Cornell.”
On campus, Louise Xie (Biology & Society) is involved in Chinese Bible Study, CompCoRe research, and has most recently completed her senior honors thesis. She spends most of her free time climbing at Lindseth and enjoys long runs, long coffee conversations at Temple of Zeus, and even longer hiking trips. She will dearly miss Gimme’s oat cappuccino with an extra shot (this is her top Ithaca recommendation). She will be working in NYC for a healthcare consulting firm and hopefully applying to grad school for a PhD within two years after graduation.
