LISA VANG

LISA VANG is a contributor to the new book “A Career in Student Affairs: Reflections from Hmong Student Affairs Educators.” In her chapter, titled "WHO I AM, WHERE I CAME FROM, AND WHERE I WANT TO GO," Lisa emphasizes the importance of supporting first-generation students from underrepresented communities, drawing from her own experiences. Recognizing the challenges they encounter; she aims to be proactive in her advising. While her approach is generally student-centered, with first-generation students, she tends to adopt a more intrusive method to share important information about college and learn more about their needs.

“I enjoy building connections with students and learning about them, their family, and their lived experiences. Their story helps me understand them as a person. For me, being a great advisor means seeing the student as a person first, and meeting all their needs, not just their academic ones...” - Lisa Vang.

A CAREER IN STUDENT AFFAIRS highlights the unique experiences of Hmong student affairs professionals from a wide range of professional levels, institutional settings, and functional areas. Each author shares a journey into student affairs and how this was navigated to become a student affairs career. Each chapter also concludes with advice for Hmong students who are considering a career in student affairs and provides insights for prospective and current Hmong college students. This book is a great resource for student affairs professionals, faculty, and institutional leaders working with Hmong students exploring career options in higher education. Because many of the professionals were the first in their family to enter higher education, reading their experiences can be very beneficial to many Hmong students.