Asian Students At University Of Wisconsin: What's The Count?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a higher education institution located in Dane County, Wisconsin. In 2022, the university had a total enrollment of 48,956 students, of which 8.64% were Asian. This makes Asians the second-largest ethnic group on campus, after whites, who make up 59.4% of the student population. Asian Americans make up only 9% of the total population of the campus, and many Asian students have reported feeling intimidated by the predominantly white student body. To address this, the university offers a variety of Asian student organizations, such as the Hmong American Student's Association (HASA) and the Vietnamese Students of America (VSA), which provide a sense of community and support for Asian students.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has an Asian American Studies Program

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has an extensive Asian American Studies Program, which has been running for 35 years. The program is interdisciplinary in nature, focusing on the scholarship and experiences of Americans, Pacific Islanders, and immigrants to the United States from Asian and Asian American heritage groups. It aims to shed light on Asian American experiences and concerns, both historical and contemporary.

The program offers a certificate in Asian American Studies, which can be obtained by completing 12 credits of coursework. The certificate provides students with an opportunity to develop a sustained intellectual focus on Asian American racial formation, history, literature, culture, and social concerns. Courses are offered in a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, communication arts, cultural studies, dance, education, English, ethnic studies, film, history, human development and family studies, journalism, literature, media, political science, popular culture, psychology, sociology, theatre, and visual arts.

The program fosters community through gatherings, speaking events, and study breaks throughout the academic year. It also serves as a teaching and resource center for the University and Madison community as a whole.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has a diverse student population, with an overall enrollment of 48,956 students in 2022. Of these, 8.64% identify as Asian, making it the second-largest racial/ethnic group on campus after White students, who make up 59.4% of the student body.

Asian Americans make up 8.64% of the University of Wisconsin–Madison's student population

In terms of degree recipients at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the most common racial/ethnic group is White (11,665 degrees awarded), which is 9.5 times more than the next closest group, Asian students (1,228 degrees). This data is from 2022 and includes both undergraduate and graduate programs.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison offers a variety of courses and programs that focus on Asian cultures and studies. For example, the Asian American Studies Program is an interdisciplinary program that sheds light on Asian American experiences and concerns, both historically and in the present. The program offers a certificate in Asian American Studies, as well as a HMoob American Studies emphasis. Additionally, the university offers a range of freshman courses in Asian Studies, such as ASIAN 100: Revolutionary Asia and ASIAN 218: Health and Healing in South Asia.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison also has several student organizations that cater to Asian American students, such as the Hmong American Student's Association (HASA) and the Vietnamese Students of America (VSA). These organizations provide a sense of community and connection for Asian American students on a predominantly White campus.

The Hmong ethnic group is the largest Asian ethnic group in Wisconsin

The Hmong community has a significant presence in Wisconsin's identity, and their immigration to the state has a unique history. As allies of the United States during the Vietnam War and the Laotian Civil War, many Hmong people sought asylum in the United States after the communist takeover in Vietnam and Laos in 1975. They faced targeted attacks and persecution, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, imprisonments, and forced relocations.

The first Hmong people arrived in the upper Midwest in 1975 or 1976, with Wisconsin becoming a welcoming state for them due to its midwestern location. By 1980, there were 408 Hmong people in the state, and this number rapidly grew over the years. The Hmong population in Wisconsin increased by 106% between 1990 and 2000, showcasing their strong preference for the state.

The Hmong community in Wisconsin values family and cultural connections highly. They have established safe spaces and support systems within the state, which has encouraged continued immigration and the growth of their population. The establishment of organizations like the Hmong American Student's Association (HASA) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison helps Hmong students connect with others of similar backgrounds and navigate life in predominantly white institutions.

The Hmong population in Wisconsin is dispersed throughout the state, with significant numbers in various cities and counties. As of 2022, the largest Hmong populations in Wisconsin were found in Appleton, Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, and Wausau.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison offers courses in Asian Languages and Cultures

The University of Wisconsin–Madison offers a rich array of courses in Asian Languages and Cultures, reflecting the importance of the region in the modern world. The 21st century has been dubbed the "Asian Century", and the University's Department of Asian Languages and Cultures (ALC) provides students with a broad and interdisciplinary education in this vital area of study.

The ALC offers courses on East, South, and Southeast Asia, taught by specialists in their respective fields. Students can choose from a range of named options, including East Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, and Southeast Asian Studies. These options allow students to focus on specific regions, such as China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet in East Asia; Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan in South Asia; and Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam in Southeast Asia.

The University recognises that many global issues cannot be understood without a grasp of Asian histories, cultures, and languages. The ALC major enables students to expand their ability to work across cultural and linguistic boundaries. Students can take advantage of the department's relationships with other units across campus and may choose to double major or enhance their studies with certificates such as the Certificate in Global Health or the Certificate in Health and the Humanities.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison also offers a variety of language courses for beginners and advanced learners. These include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Persian, and Thai, among others. Students with prior language study or experience can take placement exams to determine their level. Additionally, the University encourages students to participate in study abroad programs and internships to gain cultural immersion and professional experience.

The University's Asian American Studies Program is another interdisciplinary program that focuses on the scholarship and experiences of Americans, Pacific Islanders, and immigrants with Asian and Asian American heritage. This program offers a certificate in Asian American Studies and a HMoob American Studies emphasis, fostering community through various events and gatherings throughout the academic year.

There is a Hmong American Student's Association at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has a large Asian student population, with 8.64% of the student body identifying as Asian in 2022. The university offers a range of resources and support for its Asian students, including the Hmong American Students Association.

The Hmong American Students Association at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is a student-run organisation that aims to promote Hmong culture and heritage. The association organises various events and activities that showcase Hmong traditions, such as performances in traditional costumes. The association also provides a sense of community and belonging for Hmong students, helping them connect with their peers and fostering cultural exchange.

In addition to the student association, the university offers an Asian American Studies Program. This interdisciplinary program explores the experiences of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and immigrants from Asian heritage groups in the United States. The program includes a specific focus on Hmong American Studies, with courses such as Hmong American Experiences in the U.S. and Hmong Refugee Texts. The program also organises community-building activities like gatherings, speaking events, and study breaks throughout the academic year.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison also has a Hmong Studies Consortium, which was established in partnership with the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and has since expanded to include other institutions. The consortium aims to promote critical Hmong scholarship across various disciplines and build connections between researchers studying the Hmong diaspora and transnational connections.

Through these initiatives and student organisations, the University of Wisconsin–Madison demonstrates its commitment to supporting and celebrating its Asian student population, creating an inclusive and culturally enriching environment for all students.

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