Dear Colleagues,
As we close out February, I am struck by the rare convergence of Black History Month, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and Lent. As an Asian American woman leading this Association, this alignment is more than a calendar coincidence. It is an opportunity for intersectional reflection.
We are operating in a climate where the equity infrastructure of higher education is under systematic attack. The trajectory of the higher education landscape following the Supreme Court’s decision ending race-conscious admissions is undeniably rooted in anti-Blackness, and we must be clear-eyed about that fact to navigate the tumult ahead.
However, I must also acknowledge the specific complexity of my own seat at this table. In the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion space, Asian Americans have historically been positioned as a "middle minority" and as strategic pawns used to undermine the valid grievances of our Black and Latine allies, even while we endure racism and erasure within the same structure. We saw this clearly in the weaponization of Asian American narratives to dismantle affirmative action.
I recognize that as an Asian American, I am often heard differently or invited into rooms that remain closed to my Black colleagues. I do not view this as a personal success, but as a profound responsibility. My leadership is defined by a refusal to let my presence be used as a buffer for anti-Blackness. Instead, I choose to leverage that "acceptability" to center the voices that are most targeted by today’s movements designed to roll back progress and undermine our multiracial democracy.
At NADOHE, our strength lies in this exact brand of both historical awareness and strategic intentionality. My vision for our future—from robust professional development to our policy influence—is guided by the understanding that our fates are linked. When we fight the dismantling of equity, we are doing so much more than just protecting our institutions and our departments; we are resisting a coordinated effort to keep us divided.
I am honored to lead NADOHE as we move from surviving the chaos to defining the future. Thank you for your partnership in this essential work.
In solidarity,
Emelyn A. dela Peña, Ed.D.
President & CEO, NADOHE