APIDA Association of Vanderbilt Alumni (AAVA)

AAVA Leadership

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  Joy Cox, BA'98, MD'02

  President | Nashville, TN

  The daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Joy grew up in Knoxville, TN. She received an undergraduate degree in molecular biology and fine arts in 1998 and a medical degree in 2002 from Vanderbilt University. Following the completion of her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology also at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, she then pursued a fellowship and is currently practicing as a Urogynecologist, with a special interest in minimally invasive surgery. As an undergraduate, she was involved in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and the study abroad program at Leeds University.
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  Mia Kim Chang, BS’10

  Student Support Co-Chair | Atlanta, GA

  Mia received her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 2010. She currently supports children and families as a mental health professional. Mia is passionate about the mental health needs of marginalized communities and amplifying ways to best support such multifaceted communities. Her experiences at Vanderbilt encouraged her to find intentional ways to give back to the community that gave her so much. Mia is excited and honored to be an AAVA board member and looking forward to collaborating with the Vandy community and AAVA board to promote community, connection, and belonging. 
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  Jamie Kim, BS'00, MEd'06

  Student Support Co-Chair | Houston, TX

  Jamie received her undergraduate (2000) and M.Ed. (2006) degrees from Vanderbilt. She has since worked in education for over 25 years, ranging from public and charter schools in various capacities (teacher, counselor, dean of students), the VU undergraduate admissions office, to college counseling at independent schools. Jamie sits on the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS) Board of Trustees, Texas Association for College Admission Counseling (TACAC) Executive Board, and Naviance Customer Advisory Board. As an undergraduate student, she was a Resident Adviser and a member of the Asian American Student Association, serving as president (1998-99). Jamie and her husband have two daughters, and they reside in Houston.
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  Aileen Rose, BA'94

  Fundraising Co-Chair | Hendersonville, TN

  Joining AAVA is my answer to Vanderbilt’s 150th year call to Dare to Grow. Vanderbilt’s challenge of growth through belonging, innovation, and collaboration is inspiring. I am honored to work with the AAVA board creating community and connection with the Vanderbilt APIDA community.
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  Syed Rahman, BS’21

  Engagement Chair | Queens, NY

  Coming from a single parent household, Syed grew up in the Queensbridge Houses in New York City, and earned a Posse Scholarship to Vanderbilt University. As an undergraduate student, he was involved in student organizations such as the Vanderbilt Association of Bengali Student (VABS), serving as president (2019-2020), as well as the Undergraduate Senate, serving as Deputy Speaker (2020-2021). After graduating from Vanderbilt University in 2021, he has since worked in the Tech and Real Estate sectors in New York City, and divides his time towards the Vanderbilt and Posse community.