Major: Math 
Sport: Basketball 
Other Campus Involvement: Vice President and Senior Advisor, Filipino Students' Association (FSA) 
Hometown: Katy, Texas 

Meet Kris Pasia: Scholar, Athlete, Community Builder 

Kris Pasia is a senior at Bryn Mawr, where she excels both on the basketball court and in the classroom. As a dedicated scholar-athlete and a passionate advocate for cultural representation, Pasia embodies the spirit of leadership and community engagement. 

Following graduation in May, Pasia will be attending Virginia Tech to pursue a master's degree and Ph.D. in Mathematics. 
 
    Pasia, the daughter of Filipino immigrants, embraces her identity in every aspect of life. She explains:  

    "My parents raised me in a very traditional Filipino way to make sure my sister and I never forgot where we     came from — through the food, the language, and surrounding ourselves in their network of Filipino family     and friends." 

    The senior math major finds immense pride in her identity and the community that surrounds her. 

                                                                                                           "To me, being Filipino means having pride in my culture and community. The Filipino community is                                                                                                               so supportive of one another — whether it's Manny Pacquiao, Jalen Green, Bruno Mars, or                                                                                                              Jordan Clarkson — we celebrate them proudly. Growing up, this sense of pride and closeness                                                                                                               shaped me and the value I place on family." 


   Cultural Values On and Off the Court 
    
    For Pasia, her upbringing has influenced the way she approaches athletics and academics alike. 

    "Filipinos are known for being very hardworking. If I had to describe my game, I'd definitely say my defining quality       is the effort I put in on the court. No matter the situation, having a strong work ethic is something that's deeply          rooted in my culture." 






   Staying Connected to Heritage and Building Cross Campus Community 

    Finding ways to build community and celebrate heritage was a critical part of Pasia's time at Bryn Mawr. The senior     helped found the Filipino Students' Association to build community among other Filipino students at the college. 

    "During my sophomore year, I helped start the Filipino Students' Association here, alongside other Filipinos on campus.     It's a community that holds a very special place in my heart." 

   



    She continued: "Coming from a hometown where I was always surrounded by a Filipino community, it was so refreshing     to rebuild that network here. Over the years, I've served as VP, Social Media Manager, and now I'm on the Senior     Advisory Board." 

    Pasia stays connected to her culture and family through her community building initiatives and for the love of the game.     
    She added: 

    "It's easy [to stay connected] when your whole family loves basketball as much as mine does! Basketball is the most     popular sport in the Philippines...Being involved in athletics always feels like another bridge back to my heritage." 




    A Message for AANHPI Heritage Month 

    As the campus community observes AANHPI Heritage Month, Pasia offers a reminder of the rich history of the AAPNHI     community. 

    "I would encourage everyone to learn more about the incredibly diverse cultures within the AANHPI diaspora. Sometimes,     people only see one version of Asian identity in mainstream media, but there's so much rich history and diversity beyond     that."