XiongWinona State University will host “The Plight of the Hmong: 40 Years of Culturally Sustainability in Minnesota” with Lee Pau Xiong at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, in East Hall, Kryzsko Commons.

This discussion will focus on the current struggles of Hmong people to maintain their identity and culture.

Xiong is the founding director of the Center for Hmong Studies and professor of American government, political science and Hmong Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul. He has served on many political boards, and became the first Hmong person to be appointed by a president when he was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

This event is free and open to the public and is hosted by the Hmong American Student Association, Asian American Club, WSU’s Inclusion and Diversity Office, WSU’s KEAP Diversity Resource Center and Minnesota State Southeast Technical College.

WSU’s Inclusion and Diversity Office is committed to promoting awareness, understanding and acceptance of identities with social categories such as race, ethnicity, national origin, age, beliefs, ability levels, economic status, sexual identity, gender identity and religion. Inclusion and Diversity promotes awareness of these identities through programs, services, community outreach, curriculum promotion and university clubs as well as supporting traditionally oppressed and underrepresented groups, such as first generation students and multi-cultural students.

For more information contact Alex Hines at AHines@winona.edu.