Queens College has appointed John J. Chin as interim dean of the Asian American/Asian Research Institute, a CUNY-wide institute that aims to facilitate and disseminate research and other education materials relevant to Asia, Asian America and other Asian diasporas.
Chin comes to Queens College from Hunter College, where he worked as a professor and department chair in the Department of Urban Policy and Planning. His research focuses on access to social and health services for underserved urban communities, particularly Asian immigrant communities.
As interim dean of the Asian American/Asian Research Institute (AAARI), Chin will supervise its day-to-day functioning and provide guidance so that the institute takes a leading role in Asian American/Asian studies, scholarship, advocacy and outreach.
Chin will report to Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Price while serving as AAARI’s interim dean.
A search for a permanent dean will be carried out over the next year.
AAARI, which is located at 25 W 43rd St. in Manhattan, acts as a bridge between CUNY and Asian American communities in New York City and beyond, according to Queens College President Frank Wu. The institute reports directly to Queens College, a Flushing-based college with almost 20,000 students.
“As we seek permanent leadership for the institute, John will be an exemplary steward of its mission, particularly as it relates to immigrant-led community advocacy and public policy affecting immigrant worker health,” Wu said in a statement.
Chin recently carried out research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that examined role of Asian immigrant-led community institutions in delivering HIV prevention and stigma-reduction messages to their constituents.
He also completed an NIH-funded study of HIV risk, working conditions, and experiences with law enforcement for Asian immigrant women working in massage parlors in New York City and Los Angeles County.
Chin said he was honored to lead the AAARI and said the institute served an important function, illuminating the stories of the Asian American community in New York and the United States.
“The rich history and vibrant presence of Asian Americans in New York City and state deserve greater recognition,” Chin said. “Drawing on the wide range of expertise and passion of CUNY faculty and students, AAARI is uniquely positioned to illuminate these stories and foster a broader understanding of our communities’ needs and contributions.”
Price, whom Chin will directly report to, said he would bring a wealth of academic and community experience to the role.
“He brings a welcome combination of academic heft and community-focused leadership experience, and we’re most fortunate to have him at the helm of this important CUNY-wide Institute,” Price said in a statement.
Chin previously served as a member of the NIH’s Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council and is currently the chair of the National Advisory Committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Health Policy Research Scholars Program.
Prior to his academic career, Chin helped found the Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS, where he served as deputy executive director. He also worked in the NYC Office of the Comptroller and the NYC Commission on Human Rights.
