As an active ACSAA member for over fifteen years and having served as the Bulletin Editor for eight of those years (2010-18), it would be my honor to continue to contribute to ACSAA as a Board Officer. In my capacity as Bulletin Editor, I was able to take part in some board meetings as well as in conversations that have come to shape ACSAA. In this way, I am already familiar with the responsibilities of the position, and I can provide continuity in leadership. I also believe that as one of a minority of ACSAA members whose scholarship focuses on Southeast Asian art history, I can help to better represent the region within our community and among the Board. My research and publications are focused on the Buddhist art of Thailand, and on the history of collection and display of South and Southeast Asian art in American and European museums. I am currently an Assistant Professor at Loyola Marymount University where I teach courses on the history of Asian Art and Museum Studies. I am also a curator, and have curated permanent installations and exhibitions for the Norton Simon Museum and the University of Southern California, Pacific Asia Museum.
As a Board Officer, I would like to find ways to increase and sustain our membership, which has continually dwindled. I also want to look for opportunities to collaborate with those outside of our field as a means of broadening ACSAA’s membership and influence. ACSAA has been a forum and scholarly community that has provided me professional support as well as many friendships. I am running for the position of Board Officer to give back to a community that has given so much to me. I am also running to ensure that “Southern Asian Art” includes Southeast Asian art in ACSAA now and into the future.