Asian Communities in DC
Course Title: The Asian American Policymaking Experience in DC
Day and Time: Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This course immerses students in the cultural and historical narratives that shape the Asian American experience, uncovering overlooked events to reveal the complex origins of Asian communities in the United States. Social justice and community empowerment are explored through the lenses of issue experts familiar with highlighted communities in Washington, D.C. (i.e., Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, and Vietnamese). Students evaluate and analyze policy issues and governance structures through course activities and field experiences that connect history, identity, and advocacy in the nation’s capital.
Amy Nga Trang
Dr. Amy Trang, Ph.D., M.Ed., is a social entrepreneur and founder of Social Capital Solutions, Inc., specializing in building public–private partnerships that strengthen nonprofit and community impact. Her career spans leadership roles in local government, public policy, and education, with recognized expertise in multicultural engagement and immigrant inclusion. She has chaired multiple diversity councils in Northern Virginia and contributed to policy and curriculum development for Fairfax County. Dr. Trang holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from George Mason University and teaches at the University of Virginia on education, equity, and cultural systems.
