Khanh's Kolumn | January 2024
Updates on SASE
Welcome to the Next Phase of Growth at SASE
Dear SASEfam,
I am thrilled to share with you about this pivotal moment in our journey. From our modest beginnings in Ohio, SASE has evolved significantly, and we are now poised to enter an exciting new phase of growth. This phase is centered around strategically expanding our college presence, nurturing the talent within these communities, and rapidly broadening our engagement with professionals.
Our ambition is to connect with as many Asian scientists and engineers in the U.S. as possible, which, according to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES 2017 Table 9-9), stands at an impressive 4.3 million. Our strategy involves engaging both collegiate members and professionals, with a particular focus on the latter. I firmly believe that supporting API professionals in STEM is crucial for empowering and elevating the entire community and serves as a beacon of inspiration and opportunity for future generations to tackle the grand challenges facing our world.
In 2023, our National Convention in Atlanta was a testament to our growing influence, and we are eager to replicate this success in Boston for the 2024 National Convention. Massachusetts alone is home to half a million Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs), presenting a significant opportunity for us to engage with the STEM talent in the region. Our initiatives have gained momentum during the pandemic, with our webinars growing from 50 to over 300 participants in some instances. Additionally, our small pod development sessions, led by expert trainers, have seen increased engagement, and we are starting our support for API women in the tech sector.
To bolster our collegiate programs, we have recently appointed Liz Fujita as the new Director of Collegiate Programs. Liz brings a strategic focus to our growth, transitioning from the organic expansion of our first phase to a more strategic and efficient approach in this second phase. We anticipate this phase to be characterized by purpose driven growth.
A personal highlight for me was at the recent National Convention, where I witnessed a panel of Northrop Grumman (NGC) executives share their strategy on engaging with their API employees and their Asian Pacific Professional Network (NGC’s employee resource group). It was inspiring to see their commitment and strategic approach to supporting their Asian employees. In the past, I have been in conversation with API executives, who have said to me that they are not just an Asian executive, but an executive for everyone. I wonder if you would hear a similar response from a female or black executive to a women or Black advocacy group, respectively. I am glad to see that NGC made it clear that they are supporting their API employees. That kind of engagement not only fuels SASE's growth but also supports the broader visibility and impact of Asians in STEM.
As we embark on this journey of growth and discovery, I invite you to join us. Your participation and support are crucial as we strive to achieve great things in the coming years. Together, we can make a significant impact on the STEM community and beyond.
Thank you for being a part of the SASEfam. I look forward to meeting many of you and working together towards our shared goals.
Happy New Year!
Chúc năm mới dương lịch 2024
Khánh Vũ
CEO & Executive Director