Department of Sociology Abstracts

Presenter(s): Chloe Kim, Angel Gomez, Jordyn Miller, Hayley Sherwood, Kiana Nosile, Nick Howard, Madison Kelly, Kamiyah Cusaac, Antonio Lombardo, kalyssa perez

Showcase Advisor: Aaron Major

Abstract: This is a public data-arts project that serves as the final project for students in SOC 410--The Art of Data. Showcase attendees who come by our table will help create a sculptural visualization of Showcase Day Participation in real time. Attendees will also be invited to produce their own "data postcards" of the event as a souvenir of their Showcase Day experience. We will also display some of the students' data arts projects that they completed over the course of the semester.

Presenter(s): Anna Bialek, Nicholas Howard, Sophia Brown, Chris Davis, Bella Falcon-Santiago, Kamiyah Cusaac, Tianna Bowie

Showcase Advisor: Zawadi Rucks-Ahidiana

Moderator: Zawadi Rucks-Ahidiana

Abstract: This panel will cover the NAACP's work to expand where Black Americans could live in cities across the U.S. during the 1920s.  Based on research conducted through a research experience course (ASOC 398), the students will present what they have learned about legal battles against residential covenants, segregation laws, and violence against Black people as they moved into White neighborhoods.

Presenter(s): Joseph Hart

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: The rapid implementation of artificial intelligence in commonplace technology has left marginalized groups of people further disadvantaged through the replication of social biases and discrimination. With the centering of disabled perspectives, this honors thesis study raises the voices of those who are left out of key research and conversations regarding the development of mainstream technology. Through focus group discussions, this project provides personal accounts from visually impaired individuals and their experiences with Artificial Intelligence. Considering these perspectives not only raises general awareness, but also enhances AI development that moves beyond accessibility as a forced afterthought and toward a design of equity. Failing to consider the impact AI technology has on the lives of disabled people can strengthen current systemic divides, leaving them further marginalized than before.

Presenter(s): Payton Buchanan

Showcase Advisor: Rui Li

Abstract: Hmong Americans began their immigration into the U.S. in 1975 after a communist victory in Laos during the Vietnam war. They came to America fleeing communist persecution and have since grown their community, establishing roots throughout the country. The Hmong have brought with them strong cultural ties that guides their interactions with the American healthcare system. While they have built a community in the United States, prior studies show that Hmong Americans experience steady health disparities and lower usage of preventative health services compared to other populations due to cultural beliefs, socioeconomic struggle, language barriers, etc. This study aims to examine the factors that influence the Hmong American interactions with the American healthcare system and how these factors influence each other. Understanding the relationship between the factors that influence these interactions, would allow for healthcare providers to improve healthcare accessibility for the Hmong American population.

Presenter(s): Milla Lim

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: While popular media often reduces the 1992 LA Uprising to a bilateral conflict between African American and Korean American communities, this research argues that such a lens obscures the role of systemic state failure. By analyzing the "Sa-I-Gu" incident through a sociological framework of structural oppression, this study shifts the focus toward the LAPD’s tactical abandonment of Koreatown and the judicial inequities that exacerbated racial tensions. This research utilizes a synthesis of historical data and existing literature to demonstrate how government policy and white-centric institutional power used minority groups as "buffer zones," effectively engineering the conditions for civil unrest. By moving beyond the "inter-ethnic conflict" trope, this study explores how the Korean American experience in 1992 serves as a critical case study in the consequences of systemic neglect and the manipulation of racial hierarchies by the state.

Presenter(s): Tianna Hamilton

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: The term “South Asian American” is commonly used in sociological and demographic research to categorize individuals with origins in many different countries such as India. The cultural, linguistic, and religious variety within these communities may be obscured by this name, even as it helps organize conversations about immigration and ethnicity. In the United States, racial and regional categories frequently arise through social and political processes, according to academics who research pan-ethnic identification (Espiritu 1992). According to studies on South Asian American identity, people's perceptions of their role in the larger diaspora are influenced by their religious beliefs, generational experiences, and migration history (Kurien 2007; Shankar 2008). This research looks at how the term "South Asian American" affects how different identities are portrayed in the US. The study contends that although the term "pan-ethnic" can foster political visibility and unity, it may also obscure significant cultural differences among South Asian populations.

Presenter(s): My'Lee Graves

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: This presentation explores the Vietnamese American experience and the powerful story of rebuilding life after war and displacement. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, many Vietnamese refugees arrived in the United States with very little, facing language barriers, economic hardship, and discrimination. Starting over in a new country was incredibly difficult. Yet despite these challenges, Vietnamese Americans built strong communities such as Little Saigon in Orange County, where traditions like language, religion, food, and family connections could continue to thrive. This presentation asks: How have Vietnamese Americans preserved their cultural identity while adapting to life in the United States, and how has the refugee experience shaped communities like Little Saigon? Using historical records, academic research, and oral histories, this presentation examines how Vietnamese Americans have balanced cultural traditions with life in a new country while creating communities that reflect both Vietnamese heritage and American society.

Presenter(s): Nick Wedl

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: Chinese American ethnic enclaves, such as Chinatowns, have historically served as important social and economic centers for immigrants. These communities provide employment opportunities, social networks, and cultural support that help new immigrants adapt to life in the United States. However, scholars debate whether ethnic enclaves primarily promote or reinforce social and economic segregation. This project examines how Chinese American enclaves influence the economic opportunities and social integration of Chinese immigrants. The study explores the role of businesses, community networks, and labor markets within these enclaves. The project argues that while enclaves can provide valuable resources and pathways to entrepreneurship, their longterm impact on integration into the American economy remains complex and varies across generations and local contexts.

Presenter(s): Tsveta Dobreva, Justin Hurley, Yi Lu, Gaheul Yi, Sia Patel, Mirai Abe, Jasmeet Kaur

Showcase Advisor: Joanna Dreby

Abstract: Too often, migrants' stories are told about them rather than by them. This semester, our team of undergraduate and graduate students partnered with Hudson Mohawk Magazine at The Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy, NY to produce short radio stories for the Everybody Moves series. This community radio project is dedicated to amplifying the voices of migrants in the Capital Region. Through hands-on training in interview techniques, audio production, and storytelling, we gave community members a platform to share their own migration journeys. This poster presents the motivations and framework behind the project, reflects on what we learned about storytelling and migration, and features samples from the interviews we recorded throughout the semester.

Presenter(s): Samina Khan

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: Asian Americans are often grouped together under the “model minority” stereotype, which suggests they all share similar levels of success and assimilation. But when you compare different ethnic groups, the differences in migration history, class background, and socioeconomic outcomes become really obvious. This research project compares Chinese Americans with Vietnamese Americans to show how their different migration histories and socioeconomic patterns challenge the idea that Asian Americans form a single, uniformly successful group. I’m using demographic data, historical research, and sociological studies to look at income, education, English proficiency, and migration waves for both groups. Putting these indicators side‑by‑side helps show how the model minority stereotype oversimplifies two communities with very different experiences. This comparison helps show that the model minority stereotype hides major differences between Asian ethnic groups and oversimplifies their real socioeconomic and migration experiences.

Presenter(s): Jonathan Bermudez

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: The "Model Minority" myth associates Asian Americans as a monolithic group that has achieved universal socioeconomic success through innate cultural values. However, this stereotype masks disparities within the community. This study investigates the educational attainment gap between Laotian Americans and Indian Americans to challenge this narrative. While the broader Asian American population is often cited for high academic achievement, a disaggregated analysis reveals that current data indicates approximately 77% of Indian Americans hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to just 18% of Laotian Americans—well below the national average. This research explores the contributing factors behind these outcomes, including the impact of refugee history and resettlement challenges for Laotian communities versus the skills-based and selective immigration policies that have historically benefited Indian immigrants. By contrasting these two groups, this presentation argues that treating Asian Americans as a monolith perpetuates inequity and ignores the specific socioeconomic needs of Southeast Asian communities.

Presenter(s): Dominic De Laurentiis

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: GSAs (Gender Sexuality Alliance or Gay-Straight Alliance) are a vital aspect of community, support, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ students. They can become a place of affirmation when students’ families deny them. However, for various reasons, students are unable to use this resource. Nationwide, participation dropped after the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, students may not attend because of scheduling issues, interpersonal conflict with GSA members, and issues being out as LGBTQ+. Generally, the northeast has higher rates of people attending and using GSAs, although NYS is lower than the national average. Using a survey of current LGBTQ+ college students, one can test and determine which aspects and variables were most impactful in their decision to attend or not to attend in high school. This information should be helpful for boosting attendance and usage of an important community tool for vulnerable LGBTQ+ highschool students.

Presenter(s): Nile Burgin

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: The concept of Chinese Americans as a "model minority" has been a major factor in influencing the perception of Chinese Americans in society. This presentation is intended to highlight the development of the model minority stereotype and its ongoing impact on perceptions of Chinese Americans in society. The aim of this presentation is to highlight its impact on perceptions of Chinese Americans in society in terms of education, economic success, and social behavior. The method involves examining existing historical and sociological studies on the Chinese American experience and the development of the model minority stereotype. The presentation also discusses the way in which this stereotype tends to focus on the work ethic, intelligence, and success of Chinese Americans while ignoring the complexity that exists within the group. This presentation seeks to focus on the way in which stereotypes affect perception and the larger conversation that occurs in the United States.

Presenter(s): Andy Kaier

Showcase Advisor: Zawadi Rucks-Ahidiana

Abstract: This article is a quantitative study of New York’s public election finance program. Using publicly available campaign finance data and US census data, I investigate if public election financing has changed the influence of donors at the neighborhood level. Under the legislation, do poorer neighborhoods and neighborhoods with more non-white people contribute more to political campaigns? This study compares donor data from New York State Assembly races in 2024, when campaign matching funds were rolled out, to 2020 and 2022 when they were not yet in place. It finds that while wealthier and whiter neighborhoods still have a disproportionate influence on campaign contributions, their influence was smaller after the legislation was implemented.

Presenter(s): Deviyani Singh

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: Kimono represents an unchanging, tradition-oriented, eternal Japan. Kimonos have gone from being worn every day by Japanese to being worn by females for special occasions, leading to the view that kimonos are “traditional” rather than “fashion”. However, in the beginning of the 21st century, women from a new generation were drawn to the less formal, more fashion-oriented looks of the kimono. Wearing kimono today has become a way for younger people to find their fashion tribe and identify with a particular group. In this project, we will be exploring how the history of discrimination against Japanese Americans influences the behavior and attitudes towards Americans participating in Japanese cultural practices, such as wearing the kimono. To investigate this, we will interview and hold informal conversations with Japanese Americans in my community and conduct rigorous research to explore whether Japanese Americans view their cultural clothing as cultural appropriation or appreciation in America.

Presenter(s): Tristen Altime, Megan Lane

Showcase Advisor: Samantha Friedman

Abstract: This study develops a critical geographic infrastructure linking 1930s Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) redlining maps to 1940 Census enumeration districts (EDs) across New York City. While prior research relies on contemporary neighborhoods to assess the association between former HOLC redlining status and current demographic and health outcomes, this project centers individuals who lived in the 1940s under legally sanctioned redlining. We digitize and georeference 1940 ED maps using National Archives materials and ArcGIS Pro, reconstructing boundaries through Census 2020 TIGER/Line files and historical tax lot data. Within each ED, we use 1940 decennial census data to calculate and spatially display key housing and demographic variables, including homeownership rates, median home value, median rent, nativity composition, and racial distribution. We will present bivariate choropleth maps showing HOLC grades by these characteristics to show the potential negative effects of redlining on the population in the 1940s.

Presenter(s): Alisa Romanovsky

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: How did anti-Asian discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic affect the mental health of Chinese Americans? My presentation aims to analyze how systemic racism against Asians heightened during the pandemic, and examine the psychological distress that it left on many Chinese Americans. Using past research and surveys, this study aims to evaluate the different forms of racism experienced by Chinese Americans, their reported well-being, and determine why it intensified during this time. This is an important study, since even though racism is a form of hatred that is illegal under the law, it continues to exist. With my presentation, I hope to inform about racism/xenophobia, and to prove that it is a major issue.

Presenter(s): Alejandra Pichardo

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: This project examines how the changing legal classification of Filipinos in the United States reflected tensions between racial prejudice and economic dependence in the early twentieth century. After the United States acquired the Philippines in 1898, Filipinos were recognized as U.S. nationals, allowing them to migrate freely to the U.S. and fill labor shortages in industries such as agriculture and service work. As Filipino migration increased, however, public anxiety and anti-Asian sentiment intensified, prompting debates over their legal status and place within American society. This presentation explores how the shift from U.S. national to immigrant status shaped migration patterns and labor opportunities for Filipinos. By situating Filipino migration within the broader context of U.S. immigration policy and social systems, this research project highlights how legal definitions of belonging were used to manage both labor needs and racial boundaries.

Presenter(s): Ava Vongkhamchanh

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: The Laotian American population in the U.S. has adapted differently compared to other Asian American ethnic groups. As refugees, Laotian Americans experienced significant difficulty in English speaking and learning, as well as access to health services. By researching the immigration and assimilation patterns of Laotian Americans, I plan to examine the challenges this group faces and the ways they address them. Medical, sociological, Pew, and census studies are sources that I plan to use to further research why this ethnic group has struggled in these ways. I believe that Laotian Americans have faced these struggles more prominently than other ethic groups because they came into the U.S. as refugees, and not highly educated/skilled workers. Through my research, I plan to raise greater awareness of Laotian Americans and the struggles that generations of refugees continue to face.

Presenter(s): Alycea Roache

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: Korean American immigrants’ family, gender, and cultural values have significant bearing on their children’s continuation of traditions and family dynamics. However, the limited freedom and burden of meeting the expectations of their parents, have led to second-generation Korean American women having varying perspectives on their culture and gender roles. Based on a collection of qualitative data from numerous second-generation Korean American women, some of the common themes participants in the research conducted expressed were varying degrees of emotional obligation towards their family, while others found themselves isolated as a result of aligning too much along the beliefs of American culture. The intention of this research is to better understand the outlooks of second-generation Korean American women on their ancestral and cultural values when attempting to balance between making their parents’ sacrifices worthwhile, while also integrating into modern American societal ideals.

Presenter(s): Camille Sosa-Uraga

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: New York City’s Chinese American community is often marked by high academic achievement closely associated with the model minority myth. This generalization masks a huge internal divide between Chinese Americans driven by their economic status and access to resources. So, how does the reliance on standardized testing for university admissions create a class based rank between wealthy and low income Chinese American students in NYC? The goal of my presentation is to investigate how a heavy reliance on standardized testing for university admissions creates a class based rank between wealthy and low income Chinese American students across the five boroughs. By analyzing demographic data and research on NYC’s tutoring, my study aims to explore the ways in which family income acts as a primary predictor of testing success. My research argues that current admission standards reinforce a class hierarchy that needs to change to ensure true educational equity.

Presenter(s): Noah Squires

Showcase Advisor: Angie Chung

Abstract: Chinese Americans are by fair the largest group of Asian Americans, making up a portion of 21% of the Asian American population. Being such a large group, they adhere to most demographic trends and statistics among other Asian Americans, such as median age and percentage impoverished (Pew Research Center). However, a different characteristic of this ethnic group is their higher household incomes. Survey data shows that Chinese Americans earn $9,000 more in personal earning as compared to Asian Americans overall (as per both groups median earnings). Most studies, such as "Migrants from a Different Shore: [...]" attribute these higher earnings to the significantly higher rates of college education and advanced degree education, as 30% of Chinese Americans have obtained an advanced degree. But, why do Chinese Americans obtain advanced degrees more often, and have higher personal incomes? I believe that this can be explained with the Model Minority Myth.