Kelly Phommachanh

Currently, she works as a Graduate Research Assistant for the TCU College of Education. Kelly’s doctoral dissertation research focuses on examining the impacts of intergenerational war trauma, and how it correlates to the trials and tribulations in which first generation Lao and fellow Southeast Asian American students face during their journey in higher education. Outside of academia, for the past ten years, Kelly has given back to her community as a traditional Lao dance instructor and youth mentor, serving students all across the USA through the Lao Heritage Foundation. In 2018, she helped establish the non-profit organization, DFW Lao Heritage, with her mentor, Peter Southidara. Kelly is also a burn survivor, with her right arm sustaining second to third degree burns. She currently serves as a Patient Ambassador for her hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children, advocating for burn awareness.