McNair Scholar 2021 Sher Moua
Sher Moua is a senior at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Family Social Science. His research interests are in mental health and public health in underrepresented communities. Sher wants to get his MSW in Social Work, and become an LICSW.
My dream is to make sure that future generations of children never have to experience difficult things alone in life. I want to be a person that people can come to, so that I can advocate for them and be a voice for them.
Research project
Parental Involvement of Hmong Immigrants in Their Children’s Education at Home
Abstract: Hmong Americans are one of the largest growing immigrant populations in Minnesota. This study focuses on how Hmong American parents in charter schools get involved in their children’s schooling at home. Twenty-four Hmong American parents were recruited from four Hmong charter schools in the Twin Cities to participate in the study. Results of the qualitative analysis found four common themes, including sacrificing for children, creating and enforcing regular family routines, connecting children to resources, and advocating for children. Some implications and limitations of the study are also discussed.
Faculty mentor
Dr. Zha Blong Xiong is currently an Associate Professor in the department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Xiong received his B.A. degree from Winona State University in 1992, and his M.A. in 1997 and Ph.D. in 2000 from the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. His research interests focus on the influence of family, school and/or community on immigrant and refugee children’s adjustment and academic achievement. Dr. Xiong has been a McNair faculty mentor for multiple years.