Southeast Asian American Student Center
Welcome, Panthers! The Southeast Asian American Student Center (SEAASC – pronounced sea-zick) serves all new and returning multicultural students who self-identify as Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, and/or Vietnamese.
We are open for in-person appointments in Bolton Hall, Room 160. Stop in to say hello or make an appointment with one of the SEAASC staff members.
History of SEAASC
Following the Vietnam War, Southeast Asian refugees and the children of former refugees began enrolling at UW-Milwaukee in the 1980s. These students, identifying as Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, or Vietnamese, often faced unique challenges as first-generation college students, needing guidance to navigate campus life and academic expectations. In response, the Southeast Asian Student Academic Services (SASAS) program was established in 1991 under the College of Letters & Science, providing dedicated advising and support.
In 1998, UWM alumnus Dao Vang became the SASAS coordinator, leading the center through several name changes and relocations within the university. By 2017, the center joined UWM’s multicultural student centers under the Division of Community Empowerment & Institutional Inclusivity (CEII), adopting the name Southeast Asian American Student Center (SEAASC). Today, SEAASC offers holistic support services for Southeast Asian students, continuing to foster a welcoming and inclusive community. Dao Vang remained the center’s guiding force until his retirement in 2021.