Kremen School of Education and Human Development

Soua Xiong

Associate Professor

Ph.D., Higher Education and Student Affairs
Claremont Graduate University & San Diego State University

Professional Background

2024–Present, Associate Professor (with tenure) in the Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation
2019–2025, Program Coordinator of the Student Affairs and College Counseling (SACC) master's degree program
2018–2024, Assistant Professor in the Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation
2014–2018, Research Associate for the Community College Equity Assessment Lab at San Diego State University
2004–2014, Student affairs educator in the community college and university settings for TRIO and other federally funded programs designed to increase college access and success of underrepresented students in higher education

Select Leadership & Service

2025–Present, Journal of First-generation Student Success Editorial Board Member
2019–Present, Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement Editorial Board Member
2014–Present, Hmong Studies Journal Editorial Board Member
2018–2024, Reedley College Equity Committee Member
2017–2020, AERA Research on the Education of Asian Pacific Americans (REAPA) SIG Program Co-Chair
2017–2018, California College Personnel Association President, the California state chapter of ACPA-College Student Educators International
2016–2019, ACPA Asian Pacific American Network Regional Ambassador

Select Honors & Awards

Top 25 TRIO Alumni of 2025 (Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel)
Emerging Scholar (Diverse: Issues in Higher Education)
Early Career Award (AERA Research on the Education of Asian Pacific Americans SIG)
Outstanding Dedication to Professional Service Award (ACPA Coalition for Graduate Students and New Professionals)
Outstanding Graduate Student Award (California College Personnel Association)
Graduate Dean's Medalist, Kremen School of Education and Human Development (California State University, Fresno)

Research Interests

Theoretical Approaches

Harper's (2012) Anti-Deficit Achievement Framework
Yosso's (2005) Community Cultural Wealth Model
Rendon's (1994) Validation Theory
Harris III & Wood's (2016) Socio-Ecological Outcomes (SEO) Model
Wood and Palmer's (2015) Context, Actions, and Outcomes (CAO) Model of Institutional Responsibility
Bensimon's (2007) concept of equity-mindedness

Current Projects

Hmong Faculty in the Academy: This book project is a collection of reflective essays from Hmong university professors about their journey and experiences navigating an academic career.
Hmong American Undergraduate Students' Perceptions of Academic Advising: This quantitative study examines Hmong students' experiences with academic advising at an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
The Hmong College Student Success Project: This national qualitative study explores the lived experiences of Hmong students navigating their ways to and through the American higher education system.

Dr. Soua Xiong's

Select Publications

Xiong, S., & Xiong, B. V. (Eds.). (2024). A career in student affairs: Reflections from Hmong student affairs educators. Hmong Educational Resources Publisher. [order book here]
Xiong, S. (2024). “Fuel to complete my degree”: Hmong college students’ (in)validating advising experiences. NACADA Journal, 44(1), 13–22.
Xiong, S. (2021). Beyond providing access to services for Southeast Asian American community college students: The critical role of providing access to caring and validating agents. Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, 28(1), 83–98.
Xiong, S., Lorchueya, J., & Lor, D. (2020). Counseling Southeast Asian American male students: Insights from community college counselors. Journal of Student Affairs, 29, 60–73.
Xiong, S., Allen, C., & Wood, J. L. (2016). The role of community college counselors as validating agents on men of color student success. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 40(6), 558–561.