

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Khmer Diaspora Conference - Lowell, Massachusetts
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 27 Mar, 2026 at 08:00 am – Sun, 29 Mar, 2026 at 02:00 pm (-04:00)
- **Event Description**: Join us for "The Next 50 Years: Evolving from Surviving to Thriving in the Khmer Diaspora," a conference in Lowell, MA, March 27-29, 2026.About this Event"The Next 50 Years: Evolving from Surviving to Thriving in the Khmer Diaspora" conference will gather scholars, educators, artists, businesspersons, healthcare practitioners, community members, and others interested in applying critical perspectives to the future of the Khmer (Cambodian) diaspora. Individuals from various Cambodian communities across the U.S. (e.g., Long Beach, CA; San Francisco Bay Area; Philadelphia, PA; Charlotte, NC; Providence, RI: Tacoma, WA, etc.) to come and share their perspectives and visions for the next 50 years. You can find a draft schedule of events here.Importantly, this is a community-focused as well as an academic conference that welcomes attendees who may not have a formal academic background, but can speak to issues relevant to the Khmer and broader Southeast Asian communities.The conference offers a platform to share experiences, histories, and creative expressions. Community members—including elders, youth, and leaders—will be acknowledged for their wisdom as well as their contributions to cultural life. The event will also foster intergenerational dialogue, strengthening community identity and continuity.All are welcome, but you must register to attend, as seating is limited.AgendaFRIDAY, MARCH 27th🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AMRegistration and coffeeInfo: MCC Cowan Center, Upper Cafeteria🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:00 AMWelcome Host: Dr. Christine Su, Conference OrganizerInfo: Welcome by Mr. Phil Sisson, President, Middlesex Community College🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AMOpening RemarksHost: Mr. Sokhary Chau, Lowell City Councilor and Former Mayor🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:15 AMKeynote Address: "What We Carry:  Memory, Healing, and the Work of Becoming” Host: Dr. Kara Uy Has🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AMBreak🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AMPanel 1: Cambodian Americans in Education - Rm 1Info:  Dr. Vichet Chhuon, Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Minnesota /
 Dr. Sara Pol-Lim, Educational Consultant, Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum Project /
 Dr. Chanda Womack, Executive Director, Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education (ARISE)/
Moderator: Dr. Phitsamay Uy,  Associate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction, UMass Lowell
Classroom 1🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AMPanel 2: Khmer Help Khmer: Cambodian American Organizations - Rm 2Info: Mr. Sokthea Phay, Executive Director, Wang YMCA of Greater Boston / 
Representative (TBD) from Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association / Mr. Bryan Kim, Asian Youth Center: Program Coordinator/
Moderator:  TBD🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AMRoundtable 1: Toward the Future: What’s Next for Lowell? - Rm 3Info: Mr. Sokhary Chau, City Councilor and Former Mayor, Lowell / 
 Mr. Daniel Rourke, City Councilor and Former Mayor, Lowell / 
 Ms. Leakena  Lunde, Clerk, Clemente Park Committee / 
Ms. Joan Chun, Database Manager, Clemente Park Committee / 
Dr. Sathya Pholy, President, Cambodia Town Lowell🕑: 11:45 AM - 01:00 PMLunch Break - MCC Cowan Center Upper Cafeteria🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PMPanel 3:  The Linguistic Landscape of Khmer America - Rm 1Info:  Dr. Chhany Sak-Humphry,  Associate Professor, Indo-Pacific Languages and Khmer Language Coordinator, University of Hawaii at Manoa / Dr. Virak Chan, Clinical Associate Professor, Literacy and Language Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Purdue University / Mr. Daveth Cheth, Instructor, Khmer Language Arts / 
Moderator:  TBD🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PMPanel 4: The Higher Education Landscape in Cambodia - Rm 2Info: The Higher Education Landscape in Cambodia: Looking Toward the Future
•	H.E. Vong Aneta, Founder and Rector, Samdech Bou Kry University, Cambodia
•	Ven. Chhin Horn, Board Member, Samdech Bou Kry University
•	Ven. Hout Sothea, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Social Science
•	Ven. Son Sophours, Department Head, Laws
Moderator:  Dr. Sathya Pholy, Cambodia Town Lowell🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PMRoundtable 2: Koan-Kat Narratives - Rm 3Info: Koan-Kat Narratives: Journeys of Multi-racial Cambodian Identity
Participants:
•	Ms. Nila Rivera, Student, Middlesex Community College
•	Youth from Providence ARISE
•	Others TBD🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:30 PMBreak🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:15 PMAfternoon Plenary:  Mr. Sam Hy - MCC Cowan Lower CafeteriaInfo: Afternoon Plenary:  “SEAsia University: From the Mekong to the Merrimack, the Creation of a Cambodian American Artist”
Speaker/performer:  Mr. Sam Hy, SEAsia Band
MCC Cowan Center, Main Cafeteria Area🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:30 PMBreak🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:45 PMPanel 5: Narratives of Displacement in the Khmer Diaspora - Rm 1Info: Dr. Marina Bandeira Alexio, Director of International Initiatives, University of Minnesota / Ms. Chhaya Chhoum, Executive Director, Southeast Asia Freedom Network / Dr. Sovathana Sokhom, Lecturer Faculty, Political Science, California State University Dominguez Hills / 
Moderator:  TBD🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:45 PMPanel 6: Archiving the Cambodian American Experience - Rm 2Info: Dr. Andrea Decker, Reference Librarian, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress /  Dr. Phitsamay Uy,  Associate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction, UMass Lowell / 
Moderator:  Ms. Nikki Tantum, Center for Lowell History, UMass Lowell
Classroom 2🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:45 PMPanel 6A: The Role of Performing Arts in Cambodian America - Rm 3Info: Dr. Stephanie Koury, Assistant Teaching Professor, Music, Tufts University / 
Ms. Bora Chiemroum, Executive Director, Angkor Dance Troupe / Moderator: TBD🕑: 04:45 PM - 05:00 PMBreak🕑: 05:00 PM - 05:45 PMEvening Plenary - Ms. Charya Burt - MCC Cowan Lower CafeteriaInfo: "The Rebirth of Apsara: Khmer Dance as Cultural Identity" / Speaker:  Ms. Charya Burt, Charya Burt Cambodian Dance / 
MCC Cowan Center, Lower Cafeteria Area🕑: 05:45 PM - 07:30 PMDinner BreakInfo: Dinner on your own -- try out Lowell's fabulous Khmer restaurants!🕑: 07:30 PM - 09:30 PMLoot:  A Story of Crime and Redemption - Merrimack Repertory TheaterInfo: A daring look at the underbelly of the global art market, LOOT exposes the criminal network that used child soldiers to violently raid Cambodian temples then delivered blood antiquities to the homes of billionaires and elite western museums.  
The story is deeply emotional, relying on former looters to tell their story and the top American detective to unravel a criminal network stretching from the jungles of Southeast Asia to the top of the Western art world.SATURDAY, March 28th🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AMRegistration and Coffee - MCC Cowan Upper Cafeteria 🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:45 AMMorning Plenary: 21st Century Khmer Performing Arts in Diaspora  - Lower CafeInfo: “From Refugee to Cultural Guardian: A Journey of Survival, Service, and Heritage” - Ms. Lisa Koung, Executive Director, Khmer Performing Arts and Culture (KPAC), Philadelphia, PA /
“A Journey Home” - Mr. Chummeng Soun, Program Coordinator, Angkor Dance Troupe/Khmer Urban Ballet and Mr. Peter Veth, Angkor Dance Troupe/Khmer Urban Ballet / 
Discussant:  Dr. Toni Shapiro-Phim, Brandeis University🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:00 AMBreak🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:15 AMPanel 7: Cambodian Voices - Rm 1Info: Cambodian Voices Speak Out
 Dr. Brad DeMatteo, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Music, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill /  Dr.  Nielson Sophann Hul, Lecturer of Khmer Language, Department of Asian Languages and Literature, University of Washington / Ms. Vanny Whitchelo, Founder, Khmer Voices podcast / 
Moderator:  TBD🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:15 AMPanel 8: Making Space for Cambodian American Literature - Rm 2Info: Writing Ourselves Into Existence: Making Space for Cambodian American Literature
Mr. Bunkong Tuon, Professor, Department of English, Union College, Poet, Novelist / 
Ms. Pichchenda Bao, Independent Artist, Poet / 
Mr. Chath Piersath, Independent Artist, Poet / 
Moderator:  Dr. Jonathan Bennett, Middlesex Community College🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:15 AMPanel 9: Intergenerational Trauma: Breaking Cycles and Holistic Healing - Rm 3Info: Intergenerational Trauma: Breaking Cycles and Holistic Healing
Speakers:
Ms. Bunthy Prum, LCSW, Evergreen Valley College/UCSF Hospital /
Dr. Irrawaddy LaMouth, MD, University of Washington / 
Mr. Paul Sarun, BS, Cass County Social Worker (MN) /
Moderator:  Dr. Kara Uy Has, Evergreen Valley College🕑: 11:15 AM - 01:15 PMNetworking LunchInfo: Khmer Community Leaders Open Forum/Networking
Representatives from various communities in the diaspora (Philadelphia, Houston, Chicago, Stockton, Long Beach, Charlotte, etc.) to network/engage in dialogue about advocacy and organizing in Khmer America.                                                                                                                                            Student Forum/Networking
Students from UML Introduction to Cambodian Culture and History/Asian American Studies open forum, facilitated by graduate student Erika Pen🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:00 PMAfternoon Plenary  Threads of Identity - MCC Cowan Lower CafeteriaInfo: Afternoon Plenary: Threads of Identity: Cambodian Fashion &amp; Textiles in the Diaspora / 
Ms. Ratha Kim, Founder, Rajana Threads / 
Ms. Krystal M. Chuon, Writer, Artist, Content Manager, Rajana Threads / Discussant: TBD🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:15 PMBreak🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:30 PMPanel 10: Cultivating Cambodian American Youth Leadership  - Rm 1Info:  Ms. Erika K. Pen, Program Assistant, Asian American Center for Excellence and Engagement,UMass Lowell / Ms. Sreynin Chhoeun, Global Cambodia Youth Network / 
Representatives from  Providence Youth Student Movement / Moderator: TBD🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:30 PMWorkshop 1: Creative Writing Workshop by CALAA - Rm 2Info: •	Cambodian American Literary Arts Association (CALAA) of Lowell board members🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:30 PMWorkshop 2: Creating Cultural Awareness of Cambodian Traditions - Rm 3Info: Workshop 2:
Creating Cultural Awareness of Cambodian Traditions and Legends for Khmer Youth: Art Workshop
Workshop Facilitator: 
•	Mr. Sayon Syprasoeuth, Independent Artist and Associate Director, United Cambodian Community, Long Beach, CA🕑: 03:30 PM - 03:45 PMBreak🕑: 03:45 PM - 05:00 PMPanel 11: Reconnecting the diaspora: Finding Lost Relatives through DNA - Rm 1Info: Ms. Li-Da Kruger, Founder, Reconnecting Cambodia / Lowell panelists (TBD) / Moderator: TBD🕑: 03:45 PM - 05:00 PMRoundtable 3: Entrepreneurship in the Diaspora - Rm 2Info: 
Participants:
•	TBD / Moderator: TBD🕑: 03:45 PM - 05:00 PMFilm Screening:  Ghost Mountain - Rm 3Info: Documentary Film Screening,                       followed by Q &amp; A:  
Ghost Mountain / 
Speaker: Mr. James Taing, Filmmaker / Discussant: TBD🕑: 05:00 PM - 05:30 PMClosing Plenary: A Legacy of Resilience and ServiceInfo: Evening Plenary / 
“A Legacy of Resilience and Service” / 
Speaker:  Mr. Leth Oun, U.S. Secret Service (Ret.), Genocide Survivor🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:00 PMClosing RemarksSUNDAY MARCH 29th🕑: 10:00 AMMeet at Cowan Center for Bus to Brandeis University🕑: 11:00 AM - 01:15 PMSpecial Event: Film Screening of Taste of the LandInfo: Special Event: Samuels Center for Community Partnerships &amp; Civic Transformation (COMPACT), Brandeis University 
•	Welcome remarks by Dr. Toni Shapiro-Phim, Director of the Program in Peacebuilding and the Arts, Brandeis University
•	Film screening of Taste of the Land
•	Discussion with award-winning filmmaker Ms. Kalyanee Mam🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:00 PMBus Returns to Lowell - MCC Cowan Center🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:00 PMConference ends
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/lowell/khmer-diaspora-conference-lowell-massachusetts/100001982033361138
- **Event Categories**: Art, Entertainment, literary-art, Nonprofit, Workshops, Business, performances, Music, Theatre
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 1

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: https://consumer.pxf.io/c/1339408/3151484/39691?partnerpropertyid=1191892&MediaPartnerPropertyId=1191892&svlink=14105511&level=1&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fkhmer-diaspora-conference-lowell-massachusetts-tickets-1982033361138
- **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD

## Event venue details

- **city**: Lowell
- **state**: MA
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Middlesex Community College Lowell
- **lat**: 42.6445364
- **long**: -71.3068323
- **full address**: Middlesex Community College Lowell, 33 Kearney Square, Lowell, United States

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 10
- **organizer**: Dr. Christine Su (https://allevents.in/org/dr-christine-su/27466803)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
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- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/4b126163647099ada0c12b5bcd6dbad1fccef4a87d8021c5cd6be77154a5e8c7-rimg-w400-h400-dca7a8a7-gmir.jpg?v=1771078323

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Fri, 27 Mar, 2026 at 08:00 am (-04:00)
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Middlesex Community College Lowell, 33 Kearney Square, Lowell, United States
- **Q**: What is the ticket price?
  - **A:** starting from 0 up to 0 USD
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** Dr. Christine Su
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** Art, Entertainment, literary-art, Nonprofit, Workshops, Business, performances, Music, Theatre
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Khmer Diaspora Conference - Lowell, Massachusetts ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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