2025 AAARI Innovators Fellowship

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The Asian American / Asian Research Institute is pleased to launch the inaugural round of the AAARI Innovators Fellowship, in collaboration with the Tech Incubator at Queens College (TIQC).

2025 Cohort

Amy Feng Zhang (Baruch College)

Dowon Kim (Borough of Manhattan Community College)

Faraj Arvid (Baruch College)

Haasil Pujara (Hunter College)

Jennifer Nasir (Queens College)

Jiale Lin (LaGuardia Community College)

Team Projects

Digital Uplift: Empowering Asian-Owned Restaurants Post-Pandemic
Team Amplify (Amy Feng Zhang, Dowon Kim & Haasil Pujara) focused on addressing the digital struggles of Asian-owned small businesses, particularly restaurants, that were challenged by the post-pandemic relaunch. The project’s core hypothesis was that improving a restaurant’s digital visibility would increase foot traffic, attract delivery customers, improve brand recognition, and strengthen customer loyalty. The team used Tang Pavilion, a Shanghainese Chinese restaurant in Midtown, as a case study, noting its lack of a central website, outdated social media, and underutilized customer reviews due to limited resources. The strategy involved building a modernized, mobile-friendly website to establish branding and services , enhancing social media with new content, and encouraging customer reviews via a QR code system. Beyond this specific restaurant, the team is developing digital workshops to empower other Asian-owned businesses to manage their own digital presence, focusing on practical tools like setting up Google Business Profiles and improving local search rankings. The project established a strong digital foundation for Tang Pavilion and a framework for continued growth, setting the stage for long-term marketing efforts and community impact.

Bridging the Health Gap: An Interactive Resource for Asian Immigrants
Team Community Compass (Jiale Lin, Jennifer Nasir & Faraj Arvid) addressed the challenges faced by Asian immigrants in New York City with limited English proficiency, who struggle with language and cultural barriers when navigating the healthcare system. Initial community engagement, including a survey in three languages, revealed that while language-specific providers were often accessible, the most significant barrier was the complicated process of navigating insurance and benefits. Recognizing that many existing resources were underutilized, the team developed a Tableau dashboard that functions as an interactive directory for New York City’s Community Based Organizations (CBOs). This solution helps bridge the gap by allowing users to find specific resources based on communities served, location, and service type, answering the “who, what, where, and how” of accessing aid. The team outlined future plans to improve the dashboard by making it dynamic, creating a video tutorial, and exploring a mobile app or physical assistance tools to ensure the resources reach those who need them most.

Are you a CUNY undergraduate student ready to make a difference in Asian American communities? The AAARI Innovators Fellowship is your opportunity to gain cutting-edge technology skills, develop leadership abilities, and create meaningful change. Join a dynamic cohort of fellows in a six-month journey of growth, innovation, and impact.

What’s in it for You?

  • Leadership Development: Build the skills to lead and inspire.
  • Tech Mastery: Explore and apply technologies like AI and Data Analytics to solve real-world challenges.
  • Community Engagement: Create innovative solutions to challenges that Asian American communities are facing, while building bridges with key community stakeholders.
  • Mentorship: Learn from experts in tech, academia, and community leadership.
  • Stipends: Financial support to allow you to fully participate.

Program Highlights:

  • Immersive, skill-building workshops in cutting-edge technologies.
  • Collaborate on and execute a tech-based project that addresses a critical community need.
  • Showcase your achievements at a final event attended by leaders and innovators.

Eligibility: The program is open to all CUNY undergraduate students passionate about advancing the well-being of Asian American communities. Ideal candidates are proactive, curious, and eager to lead impactful initiatives. Applicants must be matriculated CUNY undergraduate students in good standing who will graduate at the end of the Fall 2025 semester or later.

Key Dates:

Apply Now!
Don’t miss this chance to grow as a leader and make a lasting difference – apply today! Submit your resume, academic transcript, personal statement, and project idea proposal by Mon, January 6, 2025, online at https://forms.gle/xroD9bEH7mPE81rf9.

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