Reflecting the rich diversity and culture across the TC community, the College’s 95,000 alumni hail from a remarkable 161 countries — with China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan among the top home countries of our alums. Around the globe, TC’s Alumni Council is collaborating to build community — fostering connections regardless of where you live or where you’re from.
“We’re working with our alumni to create diverse experiences all over the world,” says Steph Caballero, Associate Director of Engagement & Experience. “Our alumni leaders and volunteers play a critical role in helping us provide a range of professional, learning and social opportunities for our graduates to network, participate in cultural and other learning activities and exchange ideas and shared lived experiences and identity.”
On the Alumni Council, Joanne Choi (M.A. ’20, English Education), Kay Moon (M.A. ’06, Elementary Education) and Vera Shao (M.Ed. and M.A. ’20, Psychological Counseling) are doing just that through their continued service to the Teachers College community. In celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we sat down with Choi, Moon and Shao to discuss their continued service to the College and how each celebrates their heritage.
(Photo: TC Archives)
Why They Joined the Alumni Council
I knew that joining the Alumni Council would be a superb way to have a meaningful impact on the TC community and create a deeper sense of community,” says Choi, who serves as the Alumni Council’s Young Alumni & Student Engagement Co-Chair.
Joining the Alumni Council was a natural progression for me after experiencing the profound impact Teachers College had on my life,” explains Moon, a teacher and children’s book author, who remains “motivated by a desire to give back to the institution that played a pivotal role in shaping [her] career and personal growth.”
Nostalgia motivates me to remain engaged and connected with the TC community through the Alumni Council,” explains Shao, a mental health counselor who was also drawn to “the power of human connection” exhibited by getting involved. She now serves as the Young Alumni & Student Engagement Co-Chair.
How TC Influenced Their Lives
Amidst times of confusion and uncertainty, my training at TC has been an invaluable compass,” says Shao, a mental health professional dedicated to culturally-responsive care. “The emphasis on cultural humility has equipped me with the tools for self-reflection, fostering an attitude of openness and humility in navigating diverse perspectives and experiences.”
I learned how to think critically about social issues and engage in collaborative discussions with a wide variety of individuals who hold different viewpoints and perspectives from me,” explains Choi, now an education marketing professional. “I was challenged to consider my own privilege and how I would positively impact the community around me through working in education, activism, and conducting academic research.”
The supportive and inclusive environment at TC fostered personal growth and self-discovery, empowering me to pursue my passions and make a positive impact in my profession and beyond,” says Moon, an educator and children’s book author. “I also had the opportunity to engage with a diverse community of scholars and practitioners who broadened my perspectives and challenged me to think critically.”
Connecting With Their Heritage
I feel most connected to my Korean heritage through its rich cultural traditions, language, and food. These elements serve as poignant reminders of the sacrifices made by my ancestors and the enduring resilience of my community,” says Moon, whose father was a notable advocate for the Korean people in 1940s Japan. “My heritage is a source of pride and identity that shapes my values, beliefs, and worldview.”
Shao regularly works with her Chinese neighbors through the New York Coalition for Asian American Mental Health, an advocacy and service organization committed to improving mental health access for the local community. “I wanted to do things right,” says Shao, who recently joined other advocates in meeting with federal officials. “I wanted to build a better community for people like me and make the world a better place.”
Understanding and sharing the burden of immigration, language barriers, generational trauma, sexism, and institutionalized racism with other people of color makes me realize that I am part of a greater community that can empathize with my unique struggles and perspectives,” says Choi, a Korean-American. “Realizing that I’m not alone provides immense comfort in the midst of my journey to better understand my cultural heritage.”