Asian American Leadership Conference Program 

[To read proceedings of the following sessions, please click the links below.]

[For a CD copy of the conference, please send your name, address, and a check of $10 payable to Queens College Foundation-AAARI, to cover mailing and other expenses, to AAARI, 25 West 43rd Street, Room 1805, New York, NY 10036]

09:00AM-09:10AM Greetings (Room 3-150)
Presider: Dr. David Cheng, Professor and Director, Counseling Center, Baruch College, CUNY

09:00AM-09:05AM President Ned Regan, Baruch College, CUNY.

09:05AM-09:10AM Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa, Vice President of Institutional Development, Queens College, CUNY.

09:10AM-10:30AM Overview Session (Room 3-150)
Presider: Dr. Betty Lee Sung, Chairperson, AAARI, and Professor Emerita, Asian Studies, City College of New York, CUNY

09:15AM-09:30AM Hon. John Liu, New York City Councilman, New York City.

09:30AM-09:45AM Hon. Sayu Bhojwani, Commissioner, Mayor's Office of Immigration Affairs.

09:45AM-10:00AM Dr. Shao- Chee Sim, Director of Research, Asian American Federation of NY.  Topic: "The Economic Impact of 9/11 on Chinatown."

10:00AM-10:15AM Ms. Irene Chang, Esq., Vice President of Legal Affairs, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.  Topic: "Participation in the Political Process".

10:15AM-10:30AM Dr. Gary Y. Okihiro, Director, Study of Ethnicity & Race Center, Columbia University.  Topic: "Safeguarding Democracy: Asian Americans and War".

10:30AM-11:30AM 9/11 Impact Session (Room 3-150)

Presider: Dr. Ngee Pong Chang, Conference Chairperson, Professor of Physics, City College,  CUNY.

10:30AM-10:45AM Dr. Benjamin Chu, President of New York City Health & Hospital Corporations. Topic: "The 9/11 Impact on Asian American Community."

10:45AM-11:00AM Ms. May Ying Chen, Associate Director, International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). Topic: "The Need to Develop Jobs in the Garment Factories: A Look at the Past, Present & Future."

11:00AM-11:15AM Mr. Alex Chu, Chairman and CEO, EastBank.  Topic: "Economic Challenges and Impact to Chinatown in Its Future Development".

11:15AM-11:30AM Mr. Christopher Kui, Executive Director, Asian Americans For Equality. Topic: "The Chinatown's Response to 9/11's Impact on Local Economy and Social/Political Structure."

11:30AM-11:40AM Break

11:40AM–12:40PM Healing/Rebuilding Session (Room 3-150)

Presider: Dr. Hiroko Karan, Dean, Medgar Evers College, CUNY.

Panelists:

11:40AM-11:55PM Hon. Betty Wu, Commissioner, New York City Department of Employment.

11:55PM-12:10PM Dr. Parmatma Saran, Professor & Chairman, Sociology Department, Baruch College, CUNY. Topic: "South Asian Experience Since 9/11."

12:10PM-12:25PM Dr. David Cheng, Director, Counseling Center, Baruch College, CUNY. Topic: "Healing & Rebuilding NY from the Mental Health Perspective."

12:25PM-12:40PM Ms. Joyce O. Moy, Director, Small Business Development Center, La Guardia Community College, CUNY.

12:40PM-12:55PM Ms. Angelica Tang, Secretary Elaine Chao's Regional Representative, U.S. Department of Labor. Topic: "Capacity Building among Community Organizations".

01:00PM-01:45PM Political Leadership Session (Room 3-150)

Presider: Prof. James Lap, Associate Director of Evening and Summer Programs, New York City Technical College, CUNY

Panelists:

01:00PM-01:30PM Dr. S.B. Woo. Founder and Chairman of the National 80-20 Political Action Committee, Professor of Physics at University of Delaware, and former Lieutenant Governor of Delaware State.  Topic: "80-20 and Asian American Voice after 9/11."

01:30PM-01:45PM Dr. Pei-Te Lien, Assistant Professor, Political Science & Ethnic Studies, University of Utah. Topic: "How do Asian Americans Think and Act Politically?  Findings from the 2000-1 Asian American Political Survey."

01:45PM-02:45PM   Complimentary Lunch (Room 1-107) Courtesy of Con Edison

02:00PM-02:15PM   Co-sponsor Recognition Ceremony (Room 1-107)

02:15PM-02:45PM   Tour: Baruch College's Athletic Facility led by Dr. William Eng, Director, Athletics Center, Baruch College, CUNY.

02:45PM-03:45PM Workshop Series A

Workshop 1A Research Challenges, Findings & Opportunities (Room 4-120)

Presider: Dr. Keming Liu, Assistant Professor, English, LLP, Medgar Evers College, CUNY.

Panelists:
Dr. Tarry Hum, Assistant Professor, Urban Studies, Queens College, CUNY. Topic: "Challenges in Data Collection for Community Studies".
Mr. Richard Rothbard, Executive Director, Research Foundation, CUNY. Topic: "Research Opportunities at the CUNY Research Foundation."
Dr. Shao Chee Sim, Director of Research, Asian American Federation of NY. Topic: "Research Challenges and Strategies in Documenting Economic Impact of 9/11 on Chinatown."

Workshop 2A Chinatown Development (Room 4-125)

Presider: Dr. Thomas Tam, Executive Director, AAARI, Queens College, CUNY.

Panelists:

Mr. Robin Mui, President, Chinese American Journalists Association. Topic: "The Challenges Facing Restaurants in  Chinatown." 

Ms. Bonnie Wong, Director, Asian Women in Business. Topic: "The Future of Small Businesses in Chinatown."

Mr. Kai Yin Liu, Esq.,  Legal Advisor,  Consolidated Chinese Benevolent Association. Topic: "Integrated Approach to Social Service Needs."

Workshop 3A Student Counseling (Room 4-165)

Presider: Ms. Susan Wong, Special Assistant, Medical Assistance Program, New York City Department of Social Services.

Panelists:

Dr. Otis Hill, Vice Chancellor, Student Development & Enrollment Management, CUNY. Topic: "Post 9/11 CUNY Counseling Center: Model for a Centralized Approach of Asian American Student Counseling."
Dr. David Cheng, Director, Counseling Center, Baruch College, CUNY. Topic: "Demystifying the Stigma for Seeking Psychological Counseling."
Dr. Irene Chung, School of Social Work, Hunter College. Topic: "Emerging Counseling Issues for Asian American Female College Students."
 

Workshop 4A Faculty Development: Survival in the CUNY System for Asian American Faculty (Room 4-180)
Presider: Dr. Annie Koshi, Director, Women Studies Program, City College, CUNY.

Panelists:

Dr. Ravi Kalia, City College, CUNY. Topic: "My Own Experience of Overcoming the Disadvantage of Asian Origin."
Dr. Barbara Bowen, President, Professional Staff Congress, CUNY. Topic: "The Union as an Engine of Professional Development".
Dr. Brian Schwartz, Vice President for Research & Sponsored Programs, The Graduate Center, CUNY.  Topic: "Some Examples of Funding Related to Asian American Opportunities".
Dr. Gloriana Waters, Dean, Faculty & Staff Relations, CUNY. Topic: "Opportunities for Faculty Development Within CUNY".

Workshop 5A Integrated Approach to Employment Development in Chinatown After 9/11 (Room 4-211)
Presider: Dr. Betty Lee Sung, Chairperson, AAARI, and Professor Emerita, Asian Studies, City College of New York, CUNY.

Panelists:

Mr. Jacob Wong, Special Assistant to the Superintendent, School District #2, Secretary and Former Chairman, Board of Directors, Chinatown Manpower Project, Inc.

Mr. David J. Louie, Vice Chair, Chinese Chamber Commerce.  Topic: "New Challenges to Job Training in Chinatown."

Mr. Don Lee, Computer Associates, and Member of Community Board 2.  Topic: "Specific Recommendations for Re-channeling and Re-Training Chinatown's Labor Force."
Ms. Angelica Tang, Secretary's Regional Representative, U.S. Department of Labor.
Mr. Oliver Tan, Assistant to the Governor, New York State.

03:45PM-04:45PM Workshop Series B

Workshop 1B Asian American Studies Development (Room 4-120)

Presider: Dr. Tricia Lin, Assistant Professor of English, Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY

Panelists:
Dr. Betty Lee Sung, Chairperson, AAARI, and Professor Emerita, City College of New York, CUNY. Topic: "The Struggle to Establish Asian American Studies."

Ms. Melanie Bush, Brooklyn College, CUNY. Topic: "Recent Research Regarding Concerns of Asian Students at Brooklyn College."

Ms. Loretta Chin, Brooklyn College, CUNY. Topic: "Interest in Asian Studies at Brooklyn College".

Dr. Parmatma Saran, Professor & Chairman, Sociology Department, Baruch College. Topic: "Politics of Ethnic Studies: Case of Asian Americans."

Workshop 2B Women Leadership Development (Room 4-125)

Presider: Prof. Ching-Leou Liu, Associate Professor of Library Services, Hostos Community College, CUNY.

Panelists:
Hon. Doris Ling Cohan, Esq., New York Civil Court Judge.  Topic: "Asian American Women in the Judiciary System".
Ms. Patricia Eng, Senior Project Manager, Rulemaking and Guidance Branch, Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Ms. Renee Tang, Associate, Division for Women, State of NY. Topic: "Women Leadership in the Non-Profit Sector."

Ms. Catherine McCabe, Director, New York City Office, TIAA-CREF.  Topic: "Getting Ahead in the Corporate World."

Workshop 3B Asian American in Government (Room 4-165)

Presider: Dr. Ngee Pong Chang, Conference Chairperson, Physics Department, CCNY.

Panelists:

Mr. Fred Teng, President, Organization of Chinese American NY Chapter. Topic: "Inside View of Political Election and Appointment Processes."
Ms. Angelica Tang, Secretary's Regional Representative, U.S. Department of Labor.

Ms. Jenny Low, Chinatown/Lower East Side Democratic District Leader.  Topic: "How to Get Involved in Local Politics".

Mr. Ernesto Malave Jr, Assistant Director, CUNY Internship Program, CUNY. Topic: "Internship Opportunities in Government and Public Affairs."

 

Workshop 4B Asian Americans in the Aftermath of 9/11 (Room 4-180)
Presider: Dr. Hiroko Karan, Dean, School of Science, Health, and Technology, Medgar Evers College, CUNY

Speaker:

Dr. Lung Chi Chen, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Medicine, NYU School of Medicine.  Topic: "Environmental Health Impact Related to World Trade Center Disaster"
Ms. Renata Huang, Independent Video Journalist. Topic: "Asian Americans in Flux: Forgotten Stories After 9/11"

Ms Wendy Chung, Reporter, World Journal. Topic: "The Role of Chinese Press After 9/11"

Mr. Edward A. Watkins, Deputy Commissioner of Federal Programs

Workshop 5B Economic Development of Flushing: the Other Chinatown (Room 4-211)
Presider: Prof. Charles Kee,  Associate Professor of Business, Kingsborough Community College, CUNY.

Panelists:
Hon. Wellington Chen, Member of Board of Trustees, CUNY.

Ms. Marie Nahikian, Executive Director, Queens County Overall Economic Development Corporation.
Dr. Bernadette Y. Li, Professor of Asian Studies, St. John's University, Queens. Topic: "9/11 Tragedy and the Future of Flushing".

Mr. Joseph Chan, Director, Commercial Development and Economic Revitalization, Empire State Development Corporation.

For the complete biography of Speakers, please click here.