Volunteer Spotlight: Selina Lam

Get Involved!
Volunteers are an essential part of Asia Society Texas' team! Assisting with everything from registration to arts and crafts to receptions, volunteers provide vital support for more than 125 public programs each year and contribute to our mission of advancing cultural exchange.
We'd like to shine a spotlight on one of our volunteers, Selina Lam. Learn a little more about Selina and her volunteer experience below!
Quick Facts
Name: Selina Lam
Asia Society Texas volunteer since: August 2022
Interests: I'm currently a senior in high school, and when I'm not volunteering at Asia Society, I enjoy dancing and making/eating sweet treats.
Favorite volunteer role: My favorite volunteer role is definitely an educational assistant — I love working with people, especially children, to create fun and educational crafts they're proud to bring home!
Favorite program you've volunteered for: One of the programs that resonated with the most is the Explore Asia Exhibition! I remember spending many hours during my summer volunteering for the grand opening of Explore Asia, positioned in various spots around the building. Across these three days, I witnessed many special moments of families helping their children gain a better understanding of their own culture, friends having fun with each other, and people actively learning about cultures foreign to them. I cherished the opportunity to be part of an initiative that served to unite people despite our differences.
Reflection
Asia Society Texas feels like a second home to me, probably because of the frequency with which I've gone to their events throughout my childhood. I remember coming to the Lunar New Year festival as a child in awe of the festivities, wanting to grow up and take a more proactive role. I also participated in Asia Society's Young Leaders Institute in the summer of 2022, where I learned many valuable leadership skills that solidified my desire to volunteer at Asia Society and give back to my community.
Growing up as an Asian American, I've always craved connections to my culture and wanted to understand others as well. In my opinion, Asia Society Texas is one of the best platforms to explore diverse perspectives and gain greater insights into the world around us. One of the moments I remember deeply was during 2023's Lunar New Year Festival, where I helped out as an education assistant at the calligraphy booth. So many curious children and adults from all backgrounds tried calligraphy for the first time, and I enjoyed the process of working with them to successfully write their first Chinese character.
If you're considering volunteering with Asia Society Texas, I'd say give it a shot! Regardless of your age, there's always something you can contribute. I haven't felt out of place despite my younger age and shorter experience, because the staff working behind the scenes and fellow volunteers were very welcoming and considerate. Asia Society's mission of encouraging diversity through initiatives in education, business, arts, and policy serves to create a more inclusive community I'm proud to be a part of, and would encourage others to also consider exploring.
About Asia Society Texas
Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.