James Jin Seung and Ann Kyung Ja Yu Scholarship Award Established to Support Immigrant and Refugee Students at Cal Poly Pomona

The College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS) is proud to announce a new scholarship opportunity here at Cal Poly Pomona for students university-wide. This exciting opportunity is available only through the hard work, determination, and love for students of those donors who, through their extreme generosity, are making an amazing difference in students’ lives. Interim Dean of CLASS, Dr. David Horner observed the importance of this scholarship by stating, “This scholarship is available to students because donors recognized the need both to support students and to celebrate the legacy of those who have struggled to overcome extreme obstacles and hardships, especially those in the immigrant and refugee communities.”

The rise of KPOP and Korean culture have altered how we perceive and view Korean Americans in the USA. The love of Kfood, Kbeauty, Kproducts, and Korea are a welcome surprise for Dr. Mary Kunmi Yu Danico,who immigrated to the USA when she was just seven years old. Her parents, James Jin Seung and Ann Kyung Ja Kim, left Korea with four children as the country  tried to  rebuild from years of Japanese colonial rule and the Korean War. James Yu shared that he moved the whole family because with three daughters and one son he did not see a future in South Korea for them. Kyung Ja Kim Yu was no stranger to struggles. As a Zainichi, she only learned that she was not just Japanese when the Japanese occupation ended and her paternal grandparents requested that she and her parents move back to Korea. The life of those who live without a nation state was an incredible challenge for the family, and moving to the US and settling in San Francisco, California was filled with hurdles and challenges. James Jin Seung and Ann Kyung Ja Yu ended up raising their four children while running three liquor stores and a Jewish deli in the Castro area of San Francisco. Their incredible work ethic and survival instincts allowed their children to be the first generation to attend and graduate from college.

Dr. Mary Kunmi Yu Danico credits much of her success to her parents who sacraficed their lives for their children. In 2011, Ann Kyung Ja Kim Yu passed, and in 2021, James Jin Seung Yu followed her. Dr. Danico continues to honor her parents by creating this endowed award for refugees/immigrants, children of refugees/immigrants, or those committed to research and studies that work and support the refugee and immigrant communities. Dr. Danico is particularly sensitive to DACA students who entered the US during a major policy change. She states that had her family immigrated today, she might also be DACAmented. Despite the glow of KPOP fandom, immigrants and refugees are diverse and are often forgotten when it comes to scholarships or awards. Dr. Danico said that her parents would be proud to provide a scholarship that awards those who show perseverance despite the challenges that they face every day. “Our students are gritty, tenacious, and hungry to learn and grow. I hope that this award will support their journey to where they aspire to go.” Dr. Danico shared that level of grit as an undergrad at UC Davis when she worked 30 hours per week while attending school. Therefore, she understands the struggles of first-generation and immigrant/refugee students. She hopes that the James Jin Seung and Ann Kyung Ja Yu Award will continue to support future generations of thinkers, community leaders, and social justice warriors.