Redefining Success: Unveiling the Diverse Realities of Asian American Students in U.S. Education

Redefining Success: Unveiling the Diverse Realities of Asian American Students in U.S. Education Jolina Halloran This paper critically examines the multifaceted and often marginalized experiences of Asian American students within the U.S. educational system. It interrogates the pervasive “model minority” myth and its detrimental impact on academic opportunities, mental health, and systemic inequities. Expanding on these themes, the paper explores the consequences of the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard lawsuit and the anti-DEI climate, emphasizing how these developments exacerbate existing disparities and obscure the needs of underserved subgroups, including Southeast Asians, Pacific Islanders, and low-income Asian Americans. Drawing from personal experiences as an Asian American woman, the author illustrates the intersectionality of race, ableism, and identity, while challenging stereotypes through a nuanced analysis of the “success frame.” This paper calls for education reform that disaggregates data, addresses systemic barriers, and fosters equitable spaces where all students can thrive, advocating for a more inclusive and just future in higher education. Keywords: Asian American students, affirmative action, SFFA v. Harvard, model minority, success frame, anti-DEI climate, race and ableism Jolina Halloran, is the Associate Director of Academic Advising at Pace University in Pleasantville, NY. She successfully defended her dissertation in March 2025 and will graduate with her doctorate in Higher Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May 2025. She also holds a BBA in Management Information Systems and an MBA in International Business, both from Pace University. Following the tragic loss of her 19-year-old son, Jolina and her husband founded the Break the Hold Foundation (BTH), a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health education. BTH delivers Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) STEPS-A programming to adolescents in several Westchester County, NY schools. More information can be found at https://BTHbreakthehold.org Despite her profound loss, Jolina continues to find beauty and magic in life. She enjoys running, meditation, and yoga. She would like to thank Dr. Fredrick Engram of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s School of Education, Ed.D. Higher Education program, for encouraging her to share her story in the VT Connection