Introducing the ADPI Alumni Network

The UO Alumni Association’s Asian Desi Pacific Islander Alumni Network fosters a strengthened sense of community among ADPI alumni and students at the University of Oregon. The group is open to all, with a focus on supporting those who identify with one or more of the many diverse ADPI cultures and heritages. 

As one of the UOAA’s newest cultural, identity, and affinity networks, the ADPI Alumni Network is building a strong community to connect, support, and celebrate all Asian, Desi, and Pacific Islander students and alumni for years to come.
 

Learn more and get involved

Katty Kaunang, BEd ’16 (family and human services)

Marketing Program Manager at Google, ADPI Alumni Network Steering Committee Chair

Tell us about your journey to becoming a Duck! How would you describe your educational experience?
As an immigrant, the idea of college wasn't something I initially considered. My parents, who hadn't had the opportunity for higher education themselves, couldn't offer much guidance, so I relied on outside resources such as TRIO and Pathway Oregon. The TRIO program provided invaluable support and opened my eyes to the possibility of college. Being awarded the Pathway scholarship further solidified my path. Finding the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (CMAE) and the ADPI community at the University of Oregon was truly transformative. These supportive networks provided guidance, mentorship, and a sense of belonging that helped me excel in my studies.

What are some of the ways you engaged with your heritage growing up and how do you celebrate your heritage now, as an adult?
Growing up, Chinese New Year meant making dumplings with my family, passing out Hongbaos (red envelope), and watching lion dances. For Indonesian Independence Day, we'd gather for a big potluck with traditional dishes from different regions and wear the traditional Batik clothing.

Now, as an adult, I love recreating those experiences for my own friends and family. It's become a way to share my heritage and bring our community together. Beyond celebrations, I also try to stay connected to my roots by supporting Asian-owned businesses and becoming a mentor within the ADPI community. These are just some ways I keep my heritage alive and share the richness of both Indonesian and Chinese cultures with the world around me.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
One of my biggest accomplishments is being able to overcome challenges as I struggled to figure out who I am. This journey fueled my creativity, leading to my first children's book, The Good Red Crayon, which celebrates acceptance and resilience. The narrative is designed to inspire and assist children facing adversity, helping them learn to accept and navigate change in their lives. The Good Red Crayon emphasizes positive themes such as friendship, acceptance, and perseverance. The central message I intend to convey is that broken pieces symbolize the idea that something that may seem flawed or imperfect is still valuable and serves a purpose.

What made you want to get involved with the ADPI Network?
As an immigrant and having grown up in a predominantly White community, I always felt like an outsider. The ADPI Network at UO provided a welcoming space where I finally felt like I belonged. It empowered me to embrace my cultural heritage and connect with others who understood the unique experiences of Asian Americans. Now, I want to give back to the network that helped me find my voice, and I'm excited to share my love for my two cultures with a community that values diversity.

Tell us your plans for the future!
I'm really passionate about the intersection of technology and social impact. In the short term, I'm excited to continue working in the tech industry and leverage my skills to make a positive difference. Long-term, I have two main aspirations. One is to get involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and work on the Dare to Dream project to provide more funding to advance groundbreaking, global pediatric research. The other is to continue writing children's books that inspire young minds, perhaps incorporating STEM themes!

Rika Gilbreath, class of 1994

Loan Administrator at a loan investment company, ADPI Alumni Network Steering Committee Member

Tell us about your journey to becoming a Duck! How would you describe your educational experience?
Since I visited campus in the fall of 1989, I knew I wanted to become a Duck. In my four years at the UO, I was able to gain a broad wealth of knowledge because of the access to resources that were not necessarily available at other schools.

What are some of the ways you engaged with your heritage growing up and how do you celebrate your heritage now, as an adult?
As a child, we went back to Japan a lot. At home, we always ate traditional Japanese dinners and occasionally celebrated and participated in various Japanese events in San Francisco and Washington, DC. Today, I try to honor my heritage by occasionally cooking traditional meals at home and relearning my first language.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment to date, outside of my marriage, has been shaping my career that originally fell into my lap, into something that is more reflective of my work style and sensibilities. 

What made you want to get involved with the ADPI Network?
I regularly see Oregon represented in the media and in real life, but seldom see those of ADPI heritage. From my time on campus, I knew that we had a strong number of ADPI students. Representation is important as it encourages young people to recognize their own potential when they see someone else of their heritage accomplishing similar things. I did not have this for twenty plus years after college, so I want to jump in now, for the future generations. 

Tell us your plans for the future!
I plan on traveling more internationally. While I am quite aware of my Japanese heritage, there are so many other cultures I'd love to explore! 
 

May Wu, BA ’15 (political science), MEd ’16 (counseling, family and human services)

Google Play product team member, ADPI Steering Committee Treasurer

Tell us about your journey to becoming a Duck! How would you describe your educational experience?
I was the first one in my family to graduate with my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I did not feel like I did it alone but with the support of my family. I cherish my time at Oregon, where I learned so much about myself and gained lifelong friends. 

With the knowledge that heritage includes culture, tradition, region, mythology, and more—what is your heritage?
I am first generation Chinese American; my parents and two brothers immigrated to Portland, Oregon over twenty-eight years ago. Growing up my first language was Cantonese and I learned English as I entered primary school. I luckily was able to maintain my Cantonese; I am grateful that I am able to understand the world in another language. I learned about my culture through my parents’ stories of their childhoods, Hong Kong dramas/Chinese period dramas, and through my visits to China. For all major Chinese holidays my parents would teach us to pray and put out food for our ancestors. I was taught the values of Ancestor Worship and Buddhism growing up. I still share a lot of those values now.

What are some of the ways you engaged with your heritage growing up and how do you celebrate your heritage now, as an adult?
Lunar New Year is a big celebration and something that my parents replicated for me growing up. I find myself taking it seriously as an adult by cleaning before the new year to not wash away the luck and eating vegetarian for the first day of Lunar New Year. I've also started celebrating with friends by making dumplings together and going to the temple.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is getting my scholarship for my graduate program and then graduating. 

What made you want to get involved with the ADPI Network?
I was a part of the UO Asian and Pacific American Student Union during my time as an undergrad, where I was the outreach coordinator and member. I learned about Asian American history during my undergrad and found connections within this community. 

Tell us your plans for the future!
Continue growing in my work, building relationships, and being impactful to my community. I hope to continue my travels and learn more about the world.
 

Diverse cultures, diverse paths

Representing a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and cultures, it’s no surprise that the UO’s Asian, Desi, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander alumni have gone on to make an impact in a diversity of fields and disciplines. From public relations and advertising, to education, medicine, engineering, and more—ADPI alumni are making their mark on their industries and positively impacting their communities.