Greetings! I’m Dr. Lê, pronounced “lay” like the potato chip. I was born and raised in the great state of Minnesota. As a result, I love skiing, snow, and the cold. Despite those loves, I travelled to College Station, TX for five years of graduate school in the sweltering heat. I came away from that experience with a master’s degree, a doctorate, great friends, experiences, colleagues, and, of course, a love for Texas barbecue.
My father came to the United States from Vietnam in 1975 after the fall of Saigon. My mother grew up in Southern Minnesota, to late-generation German and Irish parents. This not-so-uncommon mix of parents makes me hapa–someone who is part Asian. My dissertation focused on people like me and the issues we have with identity. It was really rewarding and validating work. I met a lot of great people and learned so much.
Here are some fun facts about me: I have two spunky and sweet sons, Liêm and Khải and a very spunk dog (a boxer), Ezra. My favorite food is homemade spring rolls. Aside from Vietnamese, my favorite ethnic cuisine is Ethiopian. I love to cook, bake, and to get sucked into a good book, movie, or show. I double majored in college, in sociology and advertising. I’m really picky about fonts. And last but not least, I’m working on my green thumb!
