 |
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) has established the Hmong Diaspora Studies certificate program, the first program of its kind at an American public university. A community/university celebration will take place on Friday, Oct. 9, from 3-5 p.m. in room 150 of Bolton Hall, 3210 N. Maryland Ave. (north of the UWM Union).
Since 1975, more than 130,000 Hmong have immigrated to the United States as refugees; the total Hmong population now stands at more than 200,000. The State of Wisconsin is home to the third-largest community in the country; by 2000, the Milwaukee area had became home to the fourth-largest concentration of Hmong Americans.
Efforts to develop a Hmong studies program at UWM began in 2002. Supported by the university’s Cultures and Communities Program (CC), the Hmong American Studies Initiative (HASI) brought together UWM faculty, students and staff with Hmong American community organizations to create a powerful university-community partnership for addressing Hmong issues.
“The Hmong community and its campus partners worked tirelessly for seven years to develop a program that would integrate community goals and academic learning opportunities,” says Gregory Jay, professor of English and CC director. “This unique effort will become a national model for how to combine civic engagement and Hmong Studies in ways that benefit all students as well as a diversity of community partners.”
With support from UWM’s Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Chia Youyee Vang was hired in 2006. Vang, an assistant professor of history, worked with UWM faculty, staff and students, and Hmong American community leaders, to develop the program.
“I am very proud that UWM is now in a position to offer the Hmong Diaspora Studies certificate,” says Provost Rita Cheng. “In order for our students to be considered truly educated for the 21st century, we need to expand our offerings to reflect the global and local diversity of cultures and populations. Professor Vang is to be commended for her work in launching this important program.”
“This is a historic event, not only for Hmong Americans in Wisconsin, but also in the rest of the country,” Vang says. “This program says a lot about UWM’s commitment to and value of cultural diversity. With more than 600 Hmong American students on campus – more than on any other UW System campus – the program will be a great asset to UWM as well as to the State of Wisconsin.”
|
|
