The ASPIRE program provides a foundational knowledge of contemporary Asian Pacific American issues for Philadelphia high school students by facilitating open dialogue and identity-based discussions. Our mission is to give participants useful skills such as the ability to analyze and understand current sociopolitical issues and events and the ability to see a more nuanced, inclusive view of America. We also will mentor our participants to help them gain skills they could use for college or other future endeavors and help them utilize the resources available to them.
High school students travel to Penn’s campus twice a month for these 2-hour long, facilitator-led discussions, and receive SEPTA tokens for their return-trip back home. The program is open to all high school students with tokens for transportation to Penn’s campus included.
ASPIRE Board and Facilitators
Nicolas Dorazio
Tri-Chair
Nicolas Dorazio (he/him) is a sophomore studying Statistics and Business Analytics through Wharton. A Philadelphia native, Nicolas participated in ASPIRE as a high school student and is excited to return to the program for a second year in a mentor capacity. He is particularly grateful for the opportunity to further explore his identity and become more involved with the AAPI community. Outside of ASPIRE, Nicolas loves to play badminton and squash, learn new languages, and enjoy delicious meals with close friends in our beautiful city.
Queena Chen
Tri-Chair
Queena Chen (she/her) is a sophomore at the Wharton School of Business, concentrating in Marketing & Operations Management and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Born in South Philadelphia, she is dedicated to improving educational opportunities for youth across the city, with a focus on underserved AAPI communities. She participated in ASPIRE twice as a student in high school and is excited to return again as Tri-Chair. Beyond ASPIRE, Queena is involved with APSC, Wharton Cohorts, WUVG, and FGI. Outside of academics, she loves baking matcha tiramisu, playing badminton and squash, solving crossword puzzles and sudoku, and ranking another restaurant on Beli.
Sorim Lee
Tri-Chair
Sorim Lee (she/her/hers) is a sophomore at Wharton studying finance and accounting from State College, PA. As an immigrant, her love for her culture empowers her to discover more about the diverse places people call home. She is excited to help build an inclusive community through ASPIRE, and seeks to foster open dialogue and awareness through shared experiences. Beyond ASPIRE, Sorim’s other involvements include WUFC, W-KUBS, WAX, and Stimulus Children’s Theatre. In her free time, she loves finding random things on the internet.
Linna Gao
Marketing Chair
Linna Gao (she/her) is a sophomore studying Biology on the predental track. Born in Philly, raised in a predominantly white community in Connecticut, and returning to a multicultural Philly in her teenage years, she understands the importance and struggles of cultural connection and representation. Having participated in ASPIRE as a high school student, Linna is excited to return as both the Marketing Chair and a mentor to empower a stronger sense of identity in AAPI youth. Outside of ASPIRE, Linna is involved in Medical Volunteers for Prevention (MVP) and Penn's Pre-Dental Society, where she continues to pursue her passions in both career and community service. In her free time, she likes to crochet and play badminton.
Sherry Kong
Marketing Chair
Sherry Kong (she/her/hers) is a junior studying Neuroscience and Fine Arts on a pre-med track. She was born and raised in Shanghai China, and moved to South Carolina/Georgia when she was 10. Sherry serves as the marketing/design chair and hopes to help more highschool students learn about ASPIRE so they can explore their identities as Asians or Asian Americans. Outside of ASPIRE, Sherry likes to practice art, write Chinese calligraphy, dance, play tennis, binge watch Chinese dramas and eat!
Viveka Sinha
Marketing Chair
Viveka Sinha (she/her/hers) is a sophomore in Wharton studying economics. She is from Bethesda, Maryland, where she was very involved in advocacy efforts to combat stereotypes against Asian American students, such as the Model Minority Myth. She joined Aspire to further these efforts and equip AAPI youth with the tools to navigate these challenges, and she's excited to contribute to Aspire's goals this year as a Marketing/Design Chair. Outside of Aspire, Viveka is involved with a few consulting clubs and she loves playing board games, watching horror movies, and going on boba runs!
Linda Xu
Marketing Chair
Linda Xu (she/her/hers) is a senior studying Sociology and Physics with a minor in Data Science and Analytics. She is from New Hope, Pennsylvania - "suburbs of the Philly suburbs" - and having grown up in a small town with a single-digit Asian population, is excited to get involved with the Asian community at Penn and greater Philadelphia. Previously, Linda took part in APALI (Asian Pacific American Leadership Initiative) and found the experience of identity building and community discussion to be highly rewarding, and so hopes to help create a similar space for local high school students! Outside of ASPIRE, Linda is involved with Penn's Government and Politics Association, Women in Physics Association, and alpha Kappa Delta Phi.
Ariyana Hashemi
Finance Chair
Ariyana Hashemi is a freshman planning to concentrate in Marketing and Finance but I’m currently undecided. I’m from Northern Virginia, right outside of D.C., but I’ve also lived in Tehran, Iran (where I was born). As a proud immigrant, I joined ASPIRE because I know firsthand the importance of mentorship and community, especially from people who share your experiences. Through ASPIRE sessions, I hope to give back what my mentors gave me! Aside from ASPIRE, you can find me eating out with my friends, volunteering, rewatching my favorite sitcoms (shoutout to Community), or taking walks and going on runs.
Quynh Ta
Finance Chair
Quynh Ta (she/her/hers) is a freshman studying finance and management. She was born in Danang, Vietnam, and moved to Phoenix, Arizona, at 12. Quynh has a deep connection to her Vietnamese heritage and AAPI history. In high school, she engaged in several initiatives supporting AAPI and immigrant rights—whether leading community workshops on AAPI history or teaching English to Asian immigrants at a nonprofit, where she raised awareness of AAPI contributions and issues. Outside of ASPIRE, Quynh is involved in Wharton FLGI, Wharton Women, and VSA. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new food spots, watching K-dramas, and chasing sunsets.
Grace Tan
Facilitator
Grace Tan (she/her) is a senior, majoring in neuroscience on the pre-med track! Born and raised in Los Angeles, California within the Chinatown area, she wanted to be more connected with Asian communities. From there, she wants to focus more on AAPI issues and creates discussion involving other peers which compelled her to join ASPIRE as an academic chair and facilitator. This year, Grace is one of the ASPIRE facilitator! Other than ASPIRE, she is a researcher at Schapiro Lab, Co-President in VAW Global Health Alliances, and volunteers with harm-reduction groups at Kensington. Outside of academics, she loves to play video games and watch crime documentaries.
Jessica Mach
Facilitator
Jessica Mach (she/her/hers) is a junior majoring in Psychology and Design. From North Philadelphia, she started getting involved in VietLead and the ASPIRE program, where she focused on issues revolving around the AAPI community. Through volunteering and community involvement, she has a strong sense of advocacy. Wanting to inspire others the way she has been inspired, Jessica serves as an ASPIRE marketing and design chair and hopes to share her stories to enrich the perspective of her peers. Outside of ASPIRE, Jessica is a part of VSA and likes to go to concerts and figure skate.
Kaelie Chang
Facilitator
Kaelie Chang is a freshman from the Bay Area, California majoring in Political Science. She is passionate about empowering Asian American youth to pave their own paths beyond expectations. She is excited to continue her work advocating for the destigmatization of mental health in AAPI communities in ASPIRE. At Penn, she is involved in Citystep, RBI, and works as a research assistant studying political communication. Beyond ASPIRE, she enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, watching Formula One racing, and dancing.
Seyoon Chun
Facilitator
Seyoon Chun (he/him) is a senior studying History and East Asian Languages and Civilizations. He is from New York and was inspired to join ASPIRE due to his experience in advocating for a diverse curriculum during high school. Outside of ASPIRE, Seyoon is involved with PAACH, the ASAM UAB, humanities research, and admissions work through the College Cognoscenti. Serving as Tri-Chair last year, Seyoon is excited to return as a facilitator to guide students through meaningful conversations and fostering friendships. He also enjoys playing the piano, petting cats, and reading every book he can get his hands on!
Anuva Chowdhury
Academic Chair
Anuva Chowdhury (she/her) is from Dhaka, Bangladesh. She loves movies, writing, and derailing dinner table conversations by bringing up queer feminism and Asian identity. She got involved with ASPIRE to be part of expanding cultural dialogue and community.
Charlie Yang
Academic Chair
Charlie Yang (he/him) is a freshman from Houston, studying Philosophy, Politics, & Economics in the College. In high school, he was actively involved with the East Asian Affinity Group, where he facilitated discussions surrounding microaggressions and lived experiences of AAPI students. These experiences empowered him to support younger students as they explored their identities and embraced self-expression. With ASPIRE, Charlie hopes to continue uplifting AAPI students through meaningful dialogue and reflection. He believes that building strong communities can be essential for students to feel valued and supported by their peers. Outside of ASPIRE, Charlie enjoys playing the cello, hiking, photography, and eating food!
Chloe Kang
Academic Chair
Chloe Kang (she/her) is a freshman in the Huntsman Program studying International Studies and Business with a target language of German. Coming from a rural district in Maryland, she spent a lot of time in student government where she developed her passion for educational equity and resources. She joined ASPIRE as Academic Chair to help AAPI youth understand their own and others’ heritages, develop their confidence in their identities, and foster deep connections with each other. She is also involved in various clubs like Wharton Women, Korean Undergraduate Business Society, and PEER. Outside of ASPIRE, you can find Chloe dancing, yapping in her dorm, walking + talking, and stealing chocolate milk from KCECH.
Faye Liu
Academic Chair
Faye Liu (any pronouns) is a freshman in the College of Arts and Science studying Urban Studies and Architecture. They are a Philadelphia native, with most of their time spent in the South Philadelphia Southeast Asian refugee community and in Chinatown fighting against the 76ers Arena. Faye is heavily involved in youth organizing across Philadelphia and works closely with organizations such as Asian Americans United (AAU) and Ginger Arts Center in Chinatown. As an academic chair at ASPIRE, they want to continue their work educating and empowering youth to build the sustainable futures they deserve. Outside of ASPIRE, Faye likes to listen to music, dance, make art, and explore places in Philadelphia they have never been to.
Helen Liu
Academic Chair
Helen Liu (she/her) is a sophomore from Southeast Ohio and studying in the College! She enjoys drawing, 3D modeling, making music, and performing arts. She also enjoys connecting with the Philly community and has been involved in Philly outreach groups on campus. Coming from a small town with a small Asian and Asian American population, she's been looking for a safe and open space to discuss identity and experiences for a while now, and she is super excited to be a part of ASPIRE for that!
Jessica Tobes
Academic Chair
Jessica Tobes (she/her) is a freshman studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Raleigh, North Carolina. As a proud second-generation Filipino American, she became passionate about enhancing AANHPI voices in her community during high school, especially surrounding issues such as mental health, civic engagement, and media representation. After being involved in AANHPI groups like Act to Change and Thriving Asians, she hopes to grow her advocacy through advancing AANHPI education to her new Philly community as an Academic Chair with ASPIRE. Outside of ASPIRE, Jessica is involved with the Penn Philippine Association, Wharton Women, the Netter Center, The DP, and 34th Street. In her free time, you can catch her rating movies on Letterboxd, finding her next concert ticket, and running!
Kaya Jain
Academic Chair
Kaya Jain (she/her/hers) is a sophomore majoring in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with a minor in Engineering Entrepreneurship. She grew up in Summit, New Jersey, but now lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Growing up in a predominantly white town, Kaya is really passionate about empowering AAPI youth and helping them thrive in any environment. She joined ASPIRE to share her stories and create a welcoming environment for high schoolers to share their own experiences. Besides from ASPIRE, Kaya is involved in research, Engineers without Borders, Penn Climate Ventures, Chi Omega Sorority, and Penn Appetit. She loves going on long walks, cooking, thrifting, and playing tennis/pickleball in her free time!
Luke Thomann
Academic Chair
Luke Thomann (he/him) is a Freshman majoring in Mathematics from Raleigh, North Carolina. Throughout high school, he was involved with cultural clubs, celebrating Asian culture around campus. Luke joined ASPIRE because he knows how isolating it can feel to grow up disconnected from your cultural roots, and he wants to help create the kind of supportive community to remedy that. Outside of ASPIRE, Luke is involved with CSSP and Penn For UNICEF, and likes to watch TV shows, go to concerts, play pickleball, and try new foods.
Alex Liu
Academic Chair
Alex Liu is a prelaw English (creative writing) major. I’m originally from Upstate New York, but currently live in South Carolina. I joined ASPIRE because I grew up in a small town where there weren’t many other Asian people and I had a lot of difficulty fitting in and accepting my identity. I wish to help young Asian Americans better navigate those challenges I had to face alone, and create a safe cultural space for these students to talk about being Asian American.
Outside of ASPIRE, I’m also a prose editor for the F-Word Magazine, a committee member of Penn Reproductive Justice, and a member of pre-law society. My hobbies include playing video games, piano, and drawing!
ASPIRE Testimonials
“Aspire has been my go-to place every Saturday to meet with my extended family where we discuss issues relating to race, ethnicity, and identity in the Asian American community. Through family group discussions, I was more aware of the many underlying issues that would hinders us as Asian Americans. I have enriched my knowledge with this great opportunity. And of course, the capstone project in the end was a blast!”
Felicia Chen
11th grade, Masterman School
“Education is a uniting force, no matter where you go in the world. While we may not be able to find education on Asian American history and issues in school, ASPIRE made an opportunity for it. The education I received through ASPIRE has helped me to explore my history and my role in the Asian American community.”
Amina Fong
12th grade, Central High School
“For me, ASPIRE was a key resource that helped me to further develop my understanding of identity and culture as well as make meaningful connections. Through ASPIRE, I was able to learn about many issues facing the APA community that I otherwise would not have learned about. Without ASPIRE, I would not have been able to learn about issues of bamboo ceiling, model minority myth, tokenism, microaggressions, etc. I highly recommend ASPIRE for high school students looking to get an enriching and educational experience regarding APA issues.”
Andy Nguyen
William Penn Charter School Class of 2016, University of Pennsylvania Class of 2020
“I joined ASPIRE for its willingness to discuss important issues centered around minorities and specifically Asian Pacific-Americans. On the day of orientation, I saw many familiar faces which is always great. The sessions following orientation, we delved into talking about identity, small scale things like microaggressions, affirmative action, racial profiling, the model minority, representations of Asian Americans in the U.S, and internal issues. Though this isn’t the first time I’ve heard about these things, it felt great to just openly talk about them. It was even more enlightening to hear how everyone felt on these issues. I felt very comfortable to speak on these things within my group and with our facilitator and to hear what everyone needed to say. Even though I’m not Asian American, I felt just as much connected to these issues, that’s what makes ASPIRE great, that it is inclusive of other minority races. I highly encourage joining ASPIRE, it will enlighten you for good!”
Amna Khalafalla
Senior at Philadelphia High School for Girls