Dia Cha
Encyclopedia
Dia Cha is currently (2006) Associate Professor of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies at St. Cloud State University
, in St. Cloud, Minnesota
, where she teaches courses in cultural anthropology
, ethnic studies
, Southeast Asian communities, Asian American studies, and Hmong
studies. A Hmong American and a prolific author, she has written widely-acclaimed books for children and adults, and is considered one of the world's leading authorities on Hmong cultural traditions and folkways, traveling widely to offer a variety of presentations on these and related topics.
In addition to scholarly articles and reports, Dia has written "Dia's Story Cloth", and, with Dr. Norma Livo, "Folk Stories of the Hmong" and "Teaching with Folk Stories of the Hmong: An Activity Book". Her poetry and short stories have appeared in "Bamboo Among the Oaks" as well as the "Paj Ntaub Voice" Hmong literary journal.
in their takeover of her home country of Laos
. She soon found herself a refugee in Thailand
.
She eventually settled in the United States in 1979, where she was able to begin formal studies in the ninth grade. She wasted little time in distinguishing herself, and made quick advances in mastering English. In 1983, she graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School
, in Denver, Colorado
, ranking thirtieth in a class of 251 students. In 1987, she joined the Institute of Foreign Studies and spent a semester studying at the University of London
.
in anthropology
from Metropolitan State College, Denver, Colorado. In December, 1992, she was awarded the degree of Master of Arts
in applied anthropology from Northern Arizona University
in Flagstaff, Arizona
. After additional studies, she was granted the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
from the University of Colorado
at Boulder, Colorado
.
Dr. Cha has worked extensively with both Asian and Native American youth in various support staff roles and with organizations furnishing preventive health and mental health services to a variety of populations in need. From January to August, 1992, she was a pioneer in conducting research with Lao and Hmong refugee women in Thailand and Laos for the United Nations Development Fund for Women.
Dr. Cha has written articles, reports, and published several books all relating to the Hmong people or culture. She has received more than sixteen awards in recognition of her academic achievement, her leadership, and, above all, her professional commitment to helping others. A few of these are: the "Outstanding Woman Award", given by the Institute for Women's Studies and Services, Metropolitan State College, Denver, Colorado; the "TRIO Achievers Award" of the National Council of Educational Opportunity Associations, Chicago, Illinois; and the "Honoring Outstanding Refugee Women Award" of the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children of New York. She has, in addition, had bestowed upon her academic and scholarship awards for special and extraordinarily meritorious study throughout a distinguished academic career.
Dr. Cha has been invited to present papers and to give talks on the national and international levels, as well as in her local community. In 1994, she was the first Hmong American woman to be invited to testify before congress on Hmong refugee issues. Her opinions, ideas, and insights are widely sought from California to New York in such venues as public schools, community service groups, and university environments. In 1996, she was a member of the Hmong women's delegation in attendance at the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing
, China.
In addition to her many other achievements and commitments, Dr. Cha was, from 1993 to 1996, a Board Member of Hmong National Development, chairing its Education Committee and organizing its First Annual Hmong National Education Conference, an event which was held in 1995 in St. Paul, Minnesota. This Hmong National Education Conference is still held annually today, shifting its location across the country to a different Hmong community each year.
In May, 2001, Dr. Cha was one among a small, select group of only thirty-eight scholars nationwide invited to participate in a Congressional Summit on the Status of Pacific Islanders and Southeast Asian Americans in Higher Education.
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State University is a four-year public university founded in 1869 on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. The university is the largest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system which is the largest single provider of higher...
, in St. Cloud, Minnesota
St. Cloud, Minnesota
St. Cloud is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the largest population center in the state's central region. The population was 65,842 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Stearns County...
, where she teaches courses in cultural anthropology
Cultural anthropology
Cultural anthropology is a branch of anthropology focused on the study of cultural variation among humans, collecting data about the impact of global economic and political processes on local cultural realities. Anthropologists use a variety of methods, including participant observation,...
, ethnic studies
Ethnic studies
Ethnic studies is the interdisciplinary study of racialized peoples in the world in relation to ethnicity. It evolved in the second half of the 20th century partly in response to charges that traditional disciplines such as anthropology, history, English, ethnology, Asian studies, and orientalism...
, Southeast Asian communities, Asian American studies, and Hmong
Hmong people
The Hmong , are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Hmong are also one of the sub-groups of the Miao ethnicity in southern China...
studies. A Hmong American and a prolific author, she has written widely-acclaimed books for children and adults, and is considered one of the world's leading authorities on Hmong cultural traditions and folkways, traveling widely to offer a variety of presentations on these and related topics.
In addition to scholarly articles and reports, Dia has written "Dia's Story Cloth", and, with Dr. Norma Livo, "Folk Stories of the Hmong" and "Teaching with Folk Stories of the Hmong: An Activity Book". Her poetry and short stories have appeared in "Bamboo Among the Oaks" as well as the "Paj Ntaub Voice" Hmong literary journal.
Early life
In 1975, Dia and the surviving members of her family, were forced to flee the advancing communist movement, Pathet LaoPathet Lao
The Pathet Lao was a communist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid-20th century. The group was ultimately successful in assuming political power after the Laotian Civil War. The Pathet Lao were always closely associated with Vietnamese communists...
in their takeover of her home country of Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
. She soon found herself a refugee in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
.
She eventually settled in the United States in 1979, where she was able to begin formal studies in the ninth grade. She wasted little time in distinguishing herself, and made quick advances in mastering English. In 1983, she graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School
Abraham Lincoln High School (Denver)
Abraham Lincoln High School is a public high school in Denver, Colorado, United States, and is named after President Abraham Lincoln. Founded in 1959, ALHS currently has 1,900 students, 4 administrators, and 100 teachers. The principal is Josefina Higa...
, in Denver, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, ranking thirtieth in a class of 251 students. In 1987, she joined the Institute of Foreign Studies and spent a semester studying at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
.
Academia
In December, 1989, Dia received the degree of Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
from Metropolitan State College, Denver, Colorado. In December, 1992, she was awarded the degree of Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in applied anthropology from Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a public university located in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and has 39 satellite campuses in the state of Arizona. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.As of...
in Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2010, the city's population was 65,870. The population of the Metropolitan Statistical Area was at 134,421 in 2010. It is the county seat of Coconino County...
. After additional studies, she was granted the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
at Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
.
Dr. Cha has worked extensively with both Asian and Native American youth in various support staff roles and with organizations furnishing preventive health and mental health services to a variety of populations in need. From January to August, 1992, she was a pioneer in conducting research with Lao and Hmong refugee women in Thailand and Laos for the United Nations Development Fund for Women.
Dr. Cha has written articles, reports, and published several books all relating to the Hmong people or culture. She has received more than sixteen awards in recognition of her academic achievement, her leadership, and, above all, her professional commitment to helping others. A few of these are: the "Outstanding Woman Award", given by the Institute for Women's Studies and Services, Metropolitan State College, Denver, Colorado; the "TRIO Achievers Award" of the National Council of Educational Opportunity Associations, Chicago, Illinois; and the "Honoring Outstanding Refugee Women Award" of the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children of New York. She has, in addition, had bestowed upon her academic and scholarship awards for special and extraordinarily meritorious study throughout a distinguished academic career.
Dr. Cha has been invited to present papers and to give talks on the national and international levels, as well as in her local community. In 1994, she was the first Hmong American woman to be invited to testify before congress on Hmong refugee issues. Her opinions, ideas, and insights are widely sought from California to New York in such venues as public schools, community service groups, and university environments. In 1996, she was a member of the Hmong women's delegation in attendance at the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China.
In addition to her many other achievements and commitments, Dr. Cha was, from 1993 to 1996, a Board Member of Hmong National Development, chairing its Education Committee and organizing its First Annual Hmong National Education Conference, an event which was held in 1995 in St. Paul, Minnesota. This Hmong National Education Conference is still held annually today, shifting its location across the country to a different Hmong community each year.
In May, 2001, Dr. Cha was one among a small, select group of only thirty-eight scholars nationwide invited to participate in a Congressional Summit on the Status of Pacific Islanders and Southeast Asian Americans in Higher Education.