Zer Vang
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Pronouns: she/her
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Doctoral Student, HE
Areas of interest
- First-generation and underrepresented college students
- Hmong American women identity development
- Southeast Asian American college student experiences
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion spaces, engagement and belonging in higher education
MSW, University of Minnesota, 2013
Multicultural College Teaching and Learning Post Baccalaureate Certificate, University of Minnesota
BS, Family Social Science, University of Minnesota 2007
I am a dedicated and passionate advocate and educator for students, particularly those who are underrepresented. Coming from a low-income background and being a first-generation student, I have committed my personal and professional work/career to supporting students in accessing and navigating higher education and creating and maintaining inclusive and equitable spaces.
My research focuses on the examination of Hmong women identity development in college and exploring the social and cultural factors that influence their identity development (e.g., racism, gender expectations, cultural values).
I am currently a PhD candidate in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development with a focus in Higher Education, while also serving as the Operations and Project Development Manager Graduate Research Assistant for the First-Gen Institute. Prior to this, I held the position of Director of Student Recruitment for the Morrison Family College of Health at the University of St. Thomas. Further, have previously worked as the Director of MSW Admissions and Alumni Relations at the School of Social Work, an Academic Advisor in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Student and Family Services Director at LearningWorks at Blake: A Breakthrough Program, and High School Program Coordinator at College Possible. I have had the joy of teaching undergraduate First Year Experience courses, an undergraduate Social Work class at St. Thomas, and a community faculty member for field seminar courses for the Master of Social Work program at the UMN.
I have also contributed to various boards, including serving as President of the College of Education and Human Development’s Alumni Society Board of Directors in 2014, as a member of the College Possible Minnesota Advisory Board, and as a current member of the Hnub Tshiab (New Day): Hmong Women Achieving Together board and the Northstar Education Finance board. During my tenure at the University of Minnesota, I received the Campus Climate Micro-Grant for co-founding the Hmong Affinity Group, as well as the Professional and Administrative Council Professional Development Grant.
I live in Oakdale with my partner and two young children.
Kaler, L. S., Fulton, L. N., Vang, Z., & Stebleton, M. J. “You should be home snuggling your baby.” Scholar-mothers navigating maternal microaggressions in the academy. In H. Oliha-Donaldson (Ed.) Confronting critical equity and inclusion incidents on campus: Lessons learned and emerging practices. Rutgers University Press.
Vang, Z., & Her, Yeng. (2023) ‘A Narrative of our Shared Experiences: Navigating Higher Education as Students and Professionals.’ Presentation.
Lewis, J., Smith, G., Vang, Z., & Yan, L. (2022). Real Conversations about Race: Invisibility and the Model Minority Myth. Virtual Panel Discussion for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Century College.
Oliha-Donaldson, H., Fulton, L., Vang, Z., & Stebleton, M. (2021) ‘Challenging Racialized & Gendered Microaggressions on Campus: Advocating for Student Success & Support. Virtual Panel Discussion.
Vang, Z. & Johnson, S. (2021). Advancing Equity & Justice in Social Work Higher Education: Implementing Equity in Social Work Education. Virtual Presentation and Workshop for the Minnesota Conference of Social Work Education Advancing Equity and Justice in Social Work Education: A Dialogue.
Lyons, R., Munnich, J., & Vang, Z. (2021). Opportunity Gap. Virtual Panel Discussion at the University of St. Thomas.
Kaler, L. S., Fulton, L., N., Vang, Z., & Stebleton, M. J. (2020). Combating maternal microaggressions: Exploring scholar-mother experiences. Association for American Colleges and Universities: Diversity, Equity, and Student Success Conference. New Orleans, LA. (Conference canceled due to pandemic)
Vang, Z. (2019). Invited speaker for College Possible’s Circle of Impact Fundraiser Event. Minneapolis, MN.
Vang, Z., Fletcher, K., Dziengel, L., Hilger, S., Parker, J., Even, J., Schock, M., Shatila, S., Van Pay, S. (2019). Getting your masters degree in social work: when, why, and how? Presentation session for the Minnesota Social Services Association. Minneapolis, MN.
Vang, Z., Abdi, N., Mulla, S. (2018). Complex Identities: refugee and immigrant first-generation students. First Generation Institute. Panel Discussion. Minneapolis, MN.
Vang, Z., Her, K. (2018). Supporting the Invisible Asian American Student: Data, Disparities and Recommendations. Presentation session for the Tate Conference at the University of Minnesota. Minneapolis, MN.
Schmitz, R., Vang, Z. (2015). Working with First Generation College Bound Students: An Intervention. Presentation session for the Minnesota Association of College Admissions Counselor. Minneapolis, MN.
Vang, Z., and Lor, N. (2015). Celebrating 40 Years of Hmong: History, Educational Attainment Trends, and Myths. Presentation session for the Minnesota College Professionals Association. White Bear Lake, MN.
Vang, Z., Bui, M., Pillman, R., Quintanilla, D., Vang, X. (2014). Beyond the Classroom: Expanding Conversations in Educational Access. Sixth Annual National Partnership for Educational Access Conference. Panel Discussion. Minneapolis, MN.