Meet Evan Chan ’24

Where are you from and what is your background?
I was born and raised in San Francisco, California. Growing up in an immigrant family, my father’s side comes from Hong Kong, and my mom’s side from the Toisaan area of Guangdong, China. Academically, the University of San Francisco is what I consider home. It's where I earned my BA in Asian Studies and International Studies.

Why did you apply for this graduate program and decide to study at USF?
As a scholar and aspiring professional, I am pursuing the MA in Asia Pacific Studies program to expand my understanding and sensitivity towards the diverse communities of the Asia Pacific. The program enables me to do this through the abundant opportunities to network and learn from distinguished faculty, accomplished alums, and my driven classmates. On a more personal level, the program gives me the chance to continue exploring my heritage from Hong Kong and China within the larger context of the Asia Pacific.

What impacts has the Dean's Scholarship had on your ability to further your studies?
The Dean's Scholarship provides me the financial freedom to be more involved with USF and the greater San Francisco community. Being more financially flexible, I can devote more of my time to activities I find meaningful and fulfilling. For example, I have focused more on my Teaching Assistant position in the Chinese Studies Department's undergraduate courses. Outside of campus, I have also begun an internship with the Asia Society, where I support the Northern California team in hosting events with Asia Pacific leaders, professionals, and activists in San Francisco. This newfound flexibility to be more involved in these activities on campus and beyond allows me to gain the professional development and experience I want to achieve before graduating.

What are your career ambitions?
My short-term career ambitions are to work in non-governmental or non-profit organizations that collaborate with Asian Pacific or Asia Pacific American communities. While working in these types of organizations, I wish to integrate my knowledge of the Asia Pacific with the professional skill of community engagement to tend to issues of social justice. After participating in this type of work for a period of time, my long-term career goal is to apply my professional experience towards a doctorate. Further graduate studies will help me fulfill my educational goals, while allowing me a unique space to reflect and build upon my previous academic and professional experiences through research.

What is something unique or interesting about you?
While going through my studies, I like to maintain certain rituals or routines that help me stay grounded. Some routines I maintain are brewing pour-over coffees every morning, going on long walks throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with my partner on the weekends, and reserving a night or two each month to enjoy local play and musical productions. These are all activities that I hold dear to me. They also help me carve out free time away from school, allowing me to maintain a healthy school-life balance.