APIDA Career Panel and Networking Event

Plan to attend the APIDA Career Panel and Networking Event

Thursday, April 24, 2–4 p.m. in T.1400 

This event will feature panelists; Linda Moua, Chang Dao Vang, Kia Vang, Phouthaivanh Wilkerson, and Mi Yang, sharing their career stories and will also offer internship and job opportunities for students in attendance!

Panelist Photos and Bios: 

Linda Moua
Linda was part of a program called Genesys Works that allowed her an internship at Target HQ in Minneapolis. She attended MCTC, now Minneapolis College, enrolling in the POY (Power of You) program. After 2 years Linda transferred to Metropolitan State University and obtained a bachelors degree in MIS (Management Information Systems) and was able to launch her career as an Engineer with Target.

Chang Dao Vang 
Chang Dao is a first-generation refugee born in Thailand and raised in St. Paul, MN. Chang Dao obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from St. Olaf College and a Master of Social Work specializing in Community Practice from the University of Minnesota. He is currently an Associate Dean of Students at St. Olaf College. His whole career has been focused on education equity through direct and capacity building work on postsecondary access for students from the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and students at St. Olaf College. He has also done some community work with the SEAD Project and Ramsey County’s Equity Action Circle.

Kia Vang
Kia has worked at Hennepin County Library (HCL) for over 10 years after receiving her MA in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She began her career at HCL as a youth librarian and is currently a senior librarian on the Library’s Community Engagement team. Kia supports arts, literary and cultural programming, partnerships, and engagement across the 41-branch library system. Her commitment to centering stories and experiences of BIPOC and marginalized communities is demonstrated in her leadership of the library’s antiracism Mary Ann Key Book Club and partnerships with local BIPOC organizations. In her free time, she enjoys listening to psychological thrillers on the Libby app while cooking spicy Hmong, Lao and Thai dishes.

Phouthaivanh Wilkerson 
Phouthaivanh joined HSCO on January 2 and will be assigned as Sargeant in Copa. She spent over 26 years with the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office serving in a variety of roles, including court security, patrol, civil, and transport. After her promotion to Sergeant, she spent several years supervising in the court security and civil division. Phouthaivanh also held various supplemental assignments including community engagement and recruitment team, domestic violence liaison, and crisis negotiator. She is fluent in Lao and conversational Thai. 

Phouthaivanh holds an A.S. degree from Inver Hills Community College in Criminal Justice and B.S. in Police Science from St. Mary’s University. She attended the IACP Women’s Leadership Institute to complete the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy.

As a first-generation immigrant, her goal was always to connect with the community that she serves. She holds high regard for education and aims to assist those who are struggling or having difficulty understanding the new ways they encounter as they transition to a new country. Her passion is connecting with people and teaching them basic knowledge to adapt and overcome any environment. 

In her spare time, she enjoys watching fixer upper shows, spending time with family and friends, and capitalizing on her love for travel. A fun fact about Phouthaivanh is that she spent several years working as a wedding singer! Give her a little time on requests as she is a “tad” bit out of tune. 

Mi Yang 
Mi is an Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Specialist with Early Learning Services at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).  Mi provides guidance and technical support to ECFE programs across 323 school districts in MN. 

Between 2000–2024, Mi worked in St. Paul and Minneapolis supporting teachers, designing, and leading work in the areas of parenting education, early childhood, transitioning, home visiting, family engagement, curriculum, and professional development. 

Mi graduated from MCTC, now Minneapolis College in 1997 with her AS in Child Development, and from Concordia University in St. Paul in 2000 with her BA in Early Childhood Family Education and Early Childhood Education. In 2004 she earned an MS in Human Services.