The Roots of Passion

Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies Jessica Tjiu, PhD, found her passion for teaching through her experience as a first-generation college student. Tjiu’s journey provided her with a unique outlook on higher education, inspiring her to become a mentor for future scholars. As a new faculty member at the University of San Diego, she hopes to guide students to their own passions and provide a supportive environment where they can learn and flourish.

Tjiu focuses on women, gender and sexuality studies within the ethnic studies discipline. At USD, she teaches Introduction to Asian American Studies and U.S. Women of Color Theory and Activism. She highlights the relevance of intersectionality and the interconnectedness of ethnic identities. “When we discuss racial justice, we must do so through an intersectional lens,” she says. “Oppression is never a single issue; it is a multi-issue that overlaps with other systems of power.” 

Prior to joining USD’s faculty in the fall of 2025, Tjiu navigated the uncertainties that came with being a first-generation college student. “I worked as an undergraduate student as I double majored in political science and Asian studies,” she shares. “Toward the end of my master's program, I began a full-time job as an immigration paralegal to support my family while completing my master's thesis.” 

Following her master’s program, Tjiu pursued a PhD at The Ohio State University, and shortly after, began her career at USD. Her coursework encourages her students to dive into the discomfort that arises from changes in beliefs and the widening of perspectives. “When students take my class, I challenge them on their ‘common’ understanding of the U.S.,” Tjiu shares. “What are the dominant narratives of the U.S. that we still hold dearly? How can we critique these dominant narratives to build a more collective future for everyone?”

Tiju integrates an intersectional lens in her curriculum to address the issues faced by marginalized communities. Tjiu hopes to inspire her students and create a collaborative and proactive environment for them to grow. “Though I teach theoretical frameworks on power and oppression, I also emphasize the importance of empowerment, collective resistance and community-based activism,” she says.

In her current research project, Tjiu demonstrates how Asian American women’s representation and stereotypes can erase their agency and complexity. She brings to light Asian American women’s “ability to survive and thrive even within exploitative circumstances.” Tjiu plans to begin another research project this summer, examining “the lives and experiences of Indonesians and Indonesian Americans in the U.S.” This will be an autoethnographic project, inspired by her own heritage, and collaborating with Indonesian American communities.

While Tjiu’s time at USD is just beginning, her approach to ethnic studies is furthering students’ understanding of social justice and ethnic identities. Her curiosity in intersectional identities and her educational path motivate her to help students navigate their own higher education. Tjiu hopes to provide a “different perspective on student support and mentorship — one that emphasizes communication, empathy and grace.”