Alex is a 3rd-year Hmong-American student at Stanford University, studying Science, Technology & Society (STS). He was raised in Sacramento, CA, and is the oldest of five siblings. At Stanford, Alex is actively involved with the Asian American Activities Center and the Hmong Student Union, where he engages with community-building and cultural programming. He also conducts biomedical research. In his free time, Alex enjoys practicing the arts, including paj ntaub (Hmong embroidery) and kwv txhiaj (Hmong sung poetry), which allows him to connect with himself.

What drew you to working with AASPIRES?

I met Vince at SHOPPE as one of the guest speakers, and he shared a piece of his writing about identity and the paper/fate we are given when we come to Earth. It really touched me because I had never seen our culture being explored in the realm of education. At the time, I was also exploring my queer identity, so connecting with Vince became a meaningful way for me to explore and learn more about the queer experience.

What was the college-readiness process like with AASPIRES?

The college-readiness process with AASPIRES was really eye-opening for me. At first, I was focused on completing my essays and submitting my applications, so I didn’t think much about the deeper reflection. However, after I submitted my applications, I realized how much the program encouraged me to explore my identities and ask questions beyond the surface level. This was challenging, as I had to engage with and reflect on my experiences in ways that I wasn’t used to or entirely comfortable with. In the end, AASPIRES helped me gain a deeper understanding of myself, my identities, and my values in life.

What would you say to students from communities like yours who are unsure about the college application process?

Just do it! I think sometimes we spend too much time thinking or planning when we should just take action. Of course, be prepared and have a good rationale behind your decisions, but ultimately, just do it. The road is tough and long, but the beautiful thing about life is that you always get through challenges, even when you think you won’t.