Leslie Boey, PhD
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Pronouns: she, they
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Higher Education
Areas of interest
- Asian American college students
- Racial identity
- Student learning
- Social justice
- People of color at predominately white institutions
- PhD, Higher Education, University of Minnesota, 2024
- MSEd, Higher Education & Student Affairs, Indiana University, 2018
- BS, Communication Arts, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015
- Certificate, Integrated Liberal Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015
I grew up in a first-generation Chinese-American home in the suburbs of Milwaukee developing my love for food, family, and the Midwest. I currently work with the Racial Justice Training Program in the Office of Undergraduate Education and have previously held roles in advising, curriculum development, residence life, and student leadership development. I am driven by a passion for social justice and creating impactful learning opportunities for students and staff in higher education to be agents of change. When not doing school or work, I am active in the ultimate frisbee community and enjoy the outdoors and traveling.
Dissertation
Anti-Asian Racism and the Critical Identity Development of Asian American College Students During COVID-19
Advisor: Tania D. Mitchell
Abstract: This dissertation explores the racial identities of Asian American college students during a time of heightened anti-Asian racism amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In the early 2020s, political leaders blamed China for the global health crisis, resulting in a spike of anti-Asian violence and the need to investigate Asian American experiences with racism. Using critical narrative inquiry, this study explored how Asian American college students understood their racial identities amidst these conditions. Students’ lived experiences are retold as short stories, revealing how they negotiated race and identity through major social events. The findings indicate that language, hypervisibility, race-based education, social relationships, and cross-racial dynamics shaped Asian American college students’ racial identities. This research affirms the need to deeply recognize Asian Americans’ racial experiences, which are often sidelined in the fight for racial justice. This study offers practical recommendations for researchers, professionals, students, and non-academics alike to embrace the power of storytelling and work to make Asian Americans visible in the conversation on race.
Awards
- Tate Conference Showcase Winner, University of Minnesota, 2021
- Elizabeth Greenleaf Fellowship, Indiana University, 2017
- CEHD GAGE Dissertation Completion Fellowship, University of Minnesota, 2023
Mitchell, T. D., Fulton, L. N., Boey, L.W., & Cruz, T. (2023). BIPOC student leaders in predominantly white institutions: Who they work with, who they work for, and why their work is needed. Journal of College Student Development, 64(4),e 454-469
Boey, L.W., Cruz, T., Fulton, L., & Mitchell, T. D. (2023). Understanding the role of coalescence in social justice leadership development. In S. D. Museus & M. Ting (Eds.). New Directions for Student Leadership.
Agrawal, M., Boey, L.W., Donaldson, D., Fung, M., Snow, L., & Young, M. (2018). Seeking value beyond meal points: Investigating support for residential life professionals. Journal of the Student Personnel Association at Indiana University, 52, 19-41.
Mitchell, T. D., Fulton, L., Boey, L.W., Cruz, T., & Red Shirt-Shaw, M. (2021, November). “We are Leaders Too”: Examining BIPOC Students Leadership Experiences. Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE): San Juan, PR.
Boey, L.W. (2021, March). Race & Healthcare: Supporting BIPOC Students in Health Paths. Tate Professional Development Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
Boey, L.W. & Pereira, C. (2019, November). Community Teachers and Their Effect on Interprofessional Education. Midwest Teacher-Scholar Retreat, Milwaukee, WI.
Boey, L.W., & Sexton, K. (2017, April). When the Double-Shot Coffee Just Isn’t Enough: Using Design Thinking as a Motivational Tool for Success in College. Next Steps College Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
Agrawal, M., Boey, L.W., & Motoyasu, M. (2016, October). The Muslim Student Experience. Poster presentation presented at Indiana Student Affairs Association Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN.