Celebrating Asian Heritage Month: NJIT's Asian American and Pacific Islander ERG Spotlight

NJIT has established employee resource groups (ERG) that meet regularly and encourage faculty and staff to connect outside of their direct working relationships. This month, NJIT is celebrating its Asian American and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group and publishing an employee spotlight on two of its members: Ann D. Hoang, university librarian in the Van Houten Library; and Durga Misra, professor and chair of the electrical and computer engineering department.

Can you introduce us to the ERG?

ADH: Our ERG is not just a group, but a formidable, united and inclusive collective. Composed of faculty and staff, we are committed to supporting, advocating for, and advancing Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander professionals who are integral to the university’s mission and vision and uphold the core values of NJIT. Our aim is to foster a transparent workplace environment and sustain leadership cultivation, civic engagement, and celebration of our differences. The group envisions advancing an inclusive community strengthened by AAPI descent, empowered by connective engagement and equitable opportunities.

DM: In addition, after NJIT became a Minority Serving Institution for serving Asian American and Pacific Islanders, this ERG became even more significant in fulfilling the mission of the university since, as faculty and staff, we serve our student body.

What motivated you to join the ERG?

ADH: In February 2022, I was presented with a transformative opportunity to participate in the McKinsey Asian Leadership Management Accelerator Academy, sponsored by NJIT’s Human Resources department. This experience allowed me to connect with inspiring colleagues, particularly those of similar backgrounds from NJIT. At the program's conclusion, a few of us felt it vital to maintain our connection by continuing conversations at McKinsey. We thought it was important to focus on our NJIT experiences and strive for greater connection with other AAPIs at NJIT. This marked the unofficial beginning of NJIT’s AAPI ERG, a group that has significantly contributed to my professional growth and sense of belonging.

DM: It is the similarity of culture and food that motivated me to join the ERG. I was looking forward to supporting others in their professional development and receiving support from others to enhance my own personal growth. As one of the most senior faculty members and chair of the electrical and computer engineering department with many years of research experience in semiconductor devices and circuits, I believe I can support many members of this ERG. In addition to professional development, the ERG can enhance the quality of life through networking.

How has the ERG contributed to your sense of belonging at NJIT?

ADH: My involvement has not only allowed me to forge deep, meaningful and authentic relationships with other NJIT AAPIs, particularly the founding members and the current advisory board members, but it has also provided me with a supportive community. Each of us brings a unique talent, but we all share a common trait of being reserved and cautious about voicing our opinions. I can turn to anyone in the group for advice; they are always ready to assist. They listen without judgment and offer constructive advice. They have made me feel like a valued member of NJIT, especially in my role as the University Librarian. 

DM: NJIT has a strong track record of bringing everyone along. When President Lim and First lady Lim joined during the potluck event last year organized by the ERG, it immediately gave the ERG members a strong sense of belonging at NJIT. 

Can you share a memorable experience from your involvement with the ERG, or one you hope to have?

ADH: In the early stage of developing the AAIP-ERG affinity group, it was essential to identify an executive sponsor who is a current senior administrator and a member of the president’s cabinet to help drive and sustain our success. Andrew Christ was unanimously identified as the most ideal candidate. I recalled him saying to us, “you know that I am not Asian, right!” We laughed and told him it was precisely why we felt he would be the ideal person. Having a senior administrator from a different background who is willing to learn about our cultural and professional values while sharing his leadership experience and authority has had a meaningful impact on the AAPI ERG.

DM: During a brown bag lunch, we discussed mechanisms to support each other for professional development, and how to feel comfortable within these support systems.

How does your ERG enhance personal and professional growth?

ADH: It encourages me to address my weaknesses and strengths through various conversations and programs. The AAPI ERG allows me to lead where I am comfortable and lets me take the back seat when I need it. I have developed a closer relationship with other senior administrators, worked with those I had not worked with before and gained confidence in my decision-making process. It also afforded me the opportunity to get to know other AAPI members on a personal level through nonjudgmental conversations. For example, I work closely with Susan (Sung) A. Hong, associate general counsel, on numerous licensing contracts for electronic resource subscriptions. She often provides clarity whenever the library staff has questions. Our ERG membership enhances our professional relationship, for which I am very grateful.

DM: Friendship, networking and connections to move the mission of NJIT forward. We’re becoming better managers, better leaders and better communicators with a lot of confidence. It is growing the AAPI leaders on the campus and enhancing opportunities for the families of AAPI ERG members. 

What advice do you have for colleagues who are considering joining the ERG?

ADH: Find the time to join and participate in the ERG and pay forward. You will never know whose life you will impact or how others will support you during your time of need. Christine Li and I recently had the opportunity to connect with the leaders of the Princeton University Asian Staff at Princeton (AS@P) ERG that formed in September 2020. They shared advice and resources about leading their ERG. One thing they shared with us was that each September, the ERG team members are officially recognized by their human resources department for their valuable contribution in leading and supporting their ERG, significantly enhancing their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Princeton. Their immediate supervisor also receives a copy of the memo HR sent them. I hope that NJIT will fully recognize the importance of the work of the ERGs.

DM: I wholeheartedly support people to join the ERGs to make true connections, get comfortable meeting people outside of their department and build a stronger NJIT community. If interested in joining, https://www.njit.edu/aapi/ has more information on our ERG.

What is one of your proudest achievements during your time at NJIT?

ADH: It was becoming the university librarian after a nationwide search. Through careful planning with my library leadership team, we reopened the Van Houten Library on July 6, 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NJIT library was the first library in New Jersey to open its doors to support our community. The position gives me the confidence to be curious and creative and think outside the box to fulfill my vision of transforming the 32-year-old Van Houten Library into what it is today with limited resources. Throughout the last seven years, I successfully lobbied for funding to deliberately create a more pleasant and welcoming space for students to study, collaborate and congregate outside of the classroom environment.

DM: In recent years I have started an IEEE event “SHE in ECE,” a one-day summer camp for middle school and high school girls to encourage them to become engineers, specifically electrical or computer engineers. Since its inception, we have had great attendance of students from around the Newark area.

What is a little-known fact that your peers at NJIT might not know about you?

ADH: My family left Vietnam as political refugees. We had to escape by a sailboat in the middle of the night. We were known as “Boat People” because of how we left Vietnam. After a month of wandering the ocean, we arrived in Hong Kong. We spent two years in the Sham Shui Po refugee camp, waiting to resettle in the United States. We arrived in New Jersey on a cold September evening without speaking English. I remember it was so dark, thinking how I would live in this country when everything seemed big and dark. Reading kept me focused while learning English. I spent many hours in ESL classes. It took several years, with support from teachers and students of similar backgrounds, before I could understand, read and write English. This part of my life helped me to value the importance of engagement and support of others, which is critical to everything I do throughout my career.

DM: I enjoy long hikes that sometimes take 4-5 hours to complete. I like taking in the excellent views where one can observe the splendid mountains and forests that nature has created. In November 2023, I had an opportunity to hike in Zion National Park in Utah and this past March, I went to the Devil’s Bridge in Sedona, Arizona. 

Outside of your profession, what's one area you are very passionate about?

ADH: I am passionate about gardening, cooking and gathering with families. I place a high value on “me” time to refresh and recharge. My family is everything to me. I was raised in a culture where we place strong values on respect, love for learning and devotion to the family — taking care of elders is our natural responsibility. My family supported and challenged me as a mother, a wife and a librarian. I am the first member of my family to attain a college degree. Without their encouragement and support, I would not have been able to complete three college degrees and become the person I am today. My mother once told me that she pushed us to leave Vietnam so we could see the light. “Every end is the beginning of something else.” As written by M.L. Stedman in her book, “The Light Between Oceans.”

DM: I am very passionate about volunteering. I volunteer for professional societies like, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Electrochemical Society (ECS) with many leadership roles. In addition, I also volunteer for socio-cultural communities in New Jersey.