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- Serica Initiative
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
On December 2, 2025, The Serica Initiative hosted Serica Storytellers: The Presidents, a timely conversation on AAPI students, higher education, and AAPI leadership, featuring Frank H. Wu (President, Queens College) and S. David Wu (President, Baruch College). Co-presented with AAARI and the Asian American Studies Program at Hunter College, the event focused on how visa revocations and immigration policy changes are affecting students across CUNY.
Anla Cheng, Serica's Founder and CEO, welcomed guests to the panel with introductory remarks on the two presidents' achievements as AAPI leaders before moderator Joan Kaufman opened the discussion. Both presidents began by speaking about their paths from young students from immigrant family to leadership as college presidents and the values that shape their work.
David Wu described entering what he calls his "second mountain," centering his role on service and expanding access to opportunity.
Frank Wu reflected on lessons from leading institutions that serve marginalized communities, which shaped his approach to equity and pubic service, noting that being a college president today "is one of the most challenging jobs in America."
Much of the conversation focused on who CUNY students are and how immigration policies affect them. Although few students at Baruch and Queens hold visas, shifts in federal policy still affect many on campus, as large portions of the student body live in immigrant or mixed-status households, not just within the small international students population.
Frank Wu noted how increased scrutiny can reach naturalized citizens and their relatives, influencing students' sense of security, drawing historical parallels from earlier cycles of exclusion.
David Wu spoke on Baruch's strong record of social mobility, with many students entering from the bottom 10% of income and graduating into the top 10%. Acknowledging the financial pressures that shape students' lives, he understands how few Americans can now afford higher education without aid, a crisis he believes threatens both opportunity and democracy.
The conversation also addressed AI and its impact on future work. Both presidents emphasized the importance of adaptable skills. Students must be ready to reinvent themselves repeatedly in a shifting economy and institutions must evolve alongside them.
Audience questions closed the evening, touching on advocacy and how institutions can support students facing economic, technological, societal, and policy changes.
The Serica Initiative thanks President David Wu and Frank Wu, Joan Kaufman, and our partners at CUNY AAARI, AASP at Hunters College, and the amazing staff at the CUNY Graduate School for Journalism for hosting us. Despite the cold, rainy day, the mood in the room was warm for this engaging and meaningful gathering.
See more in the gallery below - and stay tuned for our next Serica Storytellers coming in January!
