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| Alice Huang of the California Institute for Technology speaks during a seminar on Asian Americans in Science and Technology: Leadership, Public Policy and Community Activism. |
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| L. Ling-chi Wang, a professor of ethnic studies at UC Berkeley, is known for his role in the creation of an Asian American studies program. |
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| Bob Suzuki, former president of Cal Poly Pomona, is a nationally recognized leader in science and education policy. |
A panel of three well-known Asian American educators presented a lecture on ?Asian Americans in Science & Technology: Leadership, Public Policy and Community Activism? on Jan. 27 in the Bronco Student Center. The event was part of the Weglyn Endowed Chair for Multicultural Studies Lecture Series.
?This lecture series is a truly interdisciplinary university-wide effort to bring multiculturalism to the curriculum to reinforce the importance of multiculturalism in our society today,? said Tomás Morales, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.
The speakers included:
- Bob Suzuki, former president of Cal Poly Pomona, is a nationally recognized leader in science and education policy. Suzuki advocates leadership development for Asian Americans and other minorities. His career evolved from an engineering background to a leader in science and engineering education, as well as an advocate for civil rights and public policy.
- L. Ling-chi Wang, a professor of ethnic studies at UC Berkeley, is known for his role in the creation of an Asian American studies program and for organizing the boycott of the national weapons labs by Asian American scientists and engineers in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during the case of Wen Ho Lee, the Los Alamos scientist who was falsely accused of being a spy.
- Alice S. Huang, senior counselor for external relations and faculty associates in biology at California Institute of Technology, is involved in education, career mentoring, and policy issues related to science and technology, as well as Asian American community issues. Huang was awarded the 1999 Achievement Award from the Chinese-American Faculty Association of Southern California in recognition of her outstanding contributions to microbiology research, civil rights and public policy.
All three presenters discussed their personal backgrounds in leadership positions and promoted the importance of Asian Americans providing leadership representation in their schools, communities, states and nation.
Between 15 and 20 percent of the science and technology workforce is Asian American, but few take on leadership positions, said Suzuki.
?Our leadership in this country should really reflect the make-up of the country,? said Huang. ?This means, especially for Asian Americans, that more are needed in visible positions.?
?In this country, science and technology is one of the arenas in which you can excel because success is judged by your own merit, not on who you know or what family you grew up in,? she said. ?Science knows no boundaries.?