A Ham Lake man who has long been a Hmong community activist has been selected an outstanding student at Metropolitan State University. Yia Lor, chosen as fall semester outstanding graduate student in the university’s College of Management, was among 920 students receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees during Metropolitan State’s 95th commencement exercises on December 15.“I’m honored and humbled by my selection,” said Lor, who was selected student commencement speaker. He earned a Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration,
For the past six years, Lor has been an academic advisor for the TRiO Educational Talent Search, a national nonprofit that promotes higher education to middle- and high school students. Lor assists more than 200 students.
Lor’s long history of helping the Hmong community is inspired by the eight years he and his Laotian family spent in a Thailand refugee camp.
“I witnessed a lot of discrimination and oppression of Hmong at the camp, and that really influenced who I am today,” said Lor. “It made me think about what I could do to change these perceptions and help my community.”
Lor graduated with top academic honors from Lindhurst High School, Olivehurst, CA, in 1994. He was active in the multicultural and student science clubs and served as a peer counselor.
Lor graduated from California State University at Chico in 2001 with a double major in Asian studies and mathematics. Lor also co-launched the college’s Hmong Student Association, serving as its president. Additionally, Lor was active with the Upward Bound Alumni Association, primarily mentoring younger students.
While still attending college, Lor served as cofounder of the Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County. At age 24, he was also elected vice president of the Chico Hmong Advisory Council, becoming the youngest Hmong leader in the Chico area. As part of his council work, Lor spearheaded a conference attended by more than 500 that brought varied community leaders together to discuss Hmong social and racial justice issues. He also led council efforts to help ensure Hmong elders working for the United States during the Vietnam War received Social Security benefits and U.S. citizenship.
In the Twin Cities, Lor volunteered for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, a nonprofit that assists low-income folks with tax preparation. He is currently volunteering with Take Action Minnesota, assisting the nonprofit on police reform issues and promoting the teaching of a Hmong history curriculum in Saint Paul Public Schools.
Ultimately, Lor said, he plans to obtain a doctorate degree and to serve as an administrator for an international nonprofit.
“I want to help revolutionize nonprofit organizations in our community,” he said. “I want to help provide new energy and ideas and encourage a mentality of marketing, creativity and being strategic in financing so the organizations can sustain themselves.”
He is a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Park.
Metropolitan State University, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, provides high-quality, affordable education programs for adults seeking bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. It is the only state university in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
