The Asian Studies Center works closely with faculty affiliates and specialists across MSU’s departments and colleges, while also partnering with higher education institutions in the Midwest and beyond, as well as K–12 schools. Through these collaborations, we advance teaching, research, and outreach that deepen knowledge and learning about Asia at MSU and in the wider community.
Siddharth Chandra, Ph.D.
Director, Asian Studies Center
Email:
Office: (517)-884-2116
Dr. Siddharth Chandra has served as the Director of the Asian Studies Center at Michigan State University since 2009. Under his leadership, the Center was designated a Title VI Pan Asia National Resource Center (NRC) from 2009 to 2018, and again from 2022 to 2025. He is also a Professor of Economics at James Madison College at MSU.
Dr. Chandra holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Cornell University, an A.M. in Economics from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. (with honors) in Economics from Brandeis University. Before joining Michigan State University, he was the Director of the Asian Studies Center and an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.
Soksamphoas Im, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Asian Studies Center
Email:
Office: (517)-884-2117
Dr. Soksamphoas Im joined the MSU Asian Studies Center in 2023, bringing a wealth of experience from her work in higher education and non-profit organizations. Her professional journey includes roles as a researcher, consultant, and program analyst at various institutions including Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Center for Khmer Studies, Stanford University, and the National University of Singapore.
Dr. Im holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, as well as an M.Sc. in Defense, Development, and Diplomacy from Durham University, the United Kingdom.
Jiahang Li, Ph.D.
Outreach Coordinator, Title VI National Resource Center (Pan Asia)
Email:
Office: (517)-884-7296
Dr. Jiahang Li joined Michigan State University in 2013. Dr. Li serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education and the Director of the Online Chinese Program at MSU's College of Education, alongside his role at the MSU Asian Studies Center.
Dr. Li holds a Ph.D. in Reading Education from the University of Maryland College Park, and an M.A. and B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature from Peking University, China. Prior to MSU, Dr. Li worked at the National Foreign Language Center.
Julia Grimm
Secretary
Email:
Office: (517)-884-2120
Julia Grimm serves as the secretary for Siddharth Chandra and the MSU Asian Studies Center. Since joining International Studies & Programs (ISP) in 2011, she has contributed to various units within the organization. Julia holds a BASc in Business, Family, and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences from Michigan State University.
At the Asian Studies Center, Julia facilitates ASN programming, coordinates collaborative meetings, and manages EBS processing. She appreciates the opportunity to learn something new about Asia and its diverse cultures each day.
Mae Crowell
Fiscal Officer
Email:
Office: (517)-884-2118
Mae Crowell serves as the Fiscal Officer for the Asian Studies Center and multiple other units within International Studies & Programs. In this role, she oversees financial account management and coordinates human resources. With over 20 years of dedicated service at Michigan State University, Mae has held various staff and administrative positions across campus. She values the diversity of programs and the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of people at the Center.
Sarinna Areethamsirikul, Ph.D.
Dr. Sarinna Areethamsirikul joined the Asian Studies Center as an Event Coordinator in Fall 2024. She brings extensive experience from her work with various international and Thai NGOs. Previously, she served as a fixed-term Assistant Professor at James Madison College, Michigan State University, from 2016 to 2017.
Dr. Areethamsirikul's academic and professional interests focus on international development and democratization in Southeast Asia. She holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.A. in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.
Allyson Tishler, Web Developer and Communication Assistant
Email:
Allyson (Ally) is a Master’s student in the Media and Information program at Michigan State University, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction and UX design. At the Asian Studies Center, she is responsible for IT and digital communications. She has done research in topics such as AI bias and inclusive design. Allyson is also passionate about travel and bringing cross-cultural perspectives into her work.
Asian Language Resources (OER)
Global Speaker Program
Asian Studies Center Newsletter
AIFIS-MSU Conference on Indonesian Studies
