Members of the Asian Student Union met in Maury Hall last night to choose their new executive board in an election lasting for four hours.
Second-year College student Huong Huynh will serve as next year's ASU president.
Huynh said her experience working with administrators as co-chair of the initiative for Asian-American Studies, a committee of the ASU that coordinates support for an Asian-American Studies major at the University, qualified her for the position.
The ASU should continue to work for an Asian-American Studies major and a Multicultural Diversity center in Newcomb Hall, Huynh said.
The next year will be a particularly busy one for the ASU's new executive board, as the University will play host to the East Coast Asian Student Union's annual conference. The event is expected to draw cultural groups from around the country to the University.
The ASU should use the conference to "spark interest and activism," Huynh said.
Additionally, Huynh said she wanted to focus on coordinating ASU activities with those of the Asian Leaders Council and the Coalition.
Huynh also emphasized the importance of community building at the University, calling for outreach to international students and members of Greek organizations. She stressed the value of cultivating activism within the University Asian community as well.
"I think the climate of the upcoming year will be extremely critical for the ASU," Huynh said. "With everything that's happened, I think that the ASU is in a prime position to make concrete changes next year."
Second-year Engineering student Melissa DeLima will serve as the next ASU vice president.
She previously served as the co-chair for the cultural programming committee, which coordinates the ASU's annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration.
DeLima said she hoped to increase active membership for the ASU.
"I'd really like to help revamp the ASU for the future," she said. "There are many people on the mailing list but not enough active members."
DeLima also voiced support for diversity education programs for both Asian and non-Asian students.
Second-year College students Eric Castillo and Chat Razdan will serve as secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Outgoing ASU President Maha Abejuela said she endorsed the ASU's leadership choice, adding that she felt Huynh would continue the work she and others had initiated.
"I have faith that she'll continue to implement things that I started or worked on during my term," Abejuela said. Huynh "is qualified and passionate, and I think she will strengthen ASU and give ASU a strong voice."
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