College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Brooke Banuelos completed her degree in Japanese Language and Culture and her capstone project, entitled 人種と民族のアイデンティティに関する日米大学生の見解 | “The American and Japanese College Student’s Perception on Racial & Ethnic Identities” under advisors Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott and Dr. Shigeko Sekine and completed with her project partner Valerie Chanthaluxay, was recognized as the outstanding Japanese Capstone Project in 2023. 

Brooke reports that she has taken a position at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in Los Angeles, working with donors, clients, festivals, and events. “The mission of the Japanese American National Museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience. As the national repository of Japanese American history, JANM creates groundbreaking historical and art exhibitions, educational public programs, award-winning documentaries, and innovative curriculum that illuminate the stories and the rich cultural heritage of people of Japanese ancestry in the United States. JANM also speaks out when diversity, individual dignity, and social justice are undermined, vigilantly sharing the hard-fought lessons accrued from this history. Its underlying purpose is to transform lives, create a more just America and, ultimately, a better world.” 

What a great connection between a capstone project leading to working with ethnicity, identity, and promoting intercultural understanding. 

おめでとう ブルック Congratulations, Brooke!