Mary Yu Danico, professor of sociology and vice-chair of the psychology and sociology department, was named the 2012-14 president of the Association for Asian American Studies (AAAS).

Danico, an expert on race relations, youth culture, family and the Asian diaspora, served as the Southern California representative from 2006 to 2010 and was elected president-elect for the 2010-12 term. As president, Danico will convene the two national association meetings, conduct association business meetings, and convene over the association’s awards ceremony, where she will present outstanding graduate scholarship, early career awards, excellence in mentorship, and leadership and community organization awards. In addition, Danico will present awards for books published in the areas of cultural studies, literature, poetry and pose, social science and history.

Apart from her involvement with the association, Danico was a Fulbright Scholar in Korea and is working on her fourth book on the Korean-American diaspora. Most recently, she was awarded the 2012 Advertising Educational Fellowship.

In early April, Danico and sociology Professor Anthony Ocampo traveled to Washington, D.C., for the AAAS’s annual conference, where Danico was formally introduced as president. Cal Poly Pomona was noted as an associate sponsor.

For the 2012 leadership award, AAAS recognized the Honorable Norman Mineta, former Secretary of Transportation and California congressman.

AAAS was founded in 1979 for the purpose of expanding teaching and research in the field of Asian American studies. The association produces a highly ranked journal for its hundreds of members and the Asian Pacific Islander-American community.

(Photo: Mary Danico, right, is pictured with Norman Mineta, center, and Anthony Ocampo at the Asian American Studies Conference in April.)