Ian Shin started school in Moraga, Calif. in 1993 when he was in fourth grade, after emigrating from Hong Kong. Obviously, Shin has come a long way: He got past his late start with English, becoming a student who Professor of Fine Arts and American Studies Carol Clark called "a presence in my classroom and office for four years."

Breaking from the beaten path

Few people can say they have experienced the same type of ideological shift as Shin, whose childhood shaped his conservatism growing up: "Moraga is a small, predominantly white, and conservative town," he explained. Shin's mother and brother converted to Mormonism soon after their arrival in the U.S.: "I was a really straight-laced kid, I went through Boy Scouts, seminary, the whole deal," he remembered. It wasn't until his junior year in high school that he even considered the possibility of going to a liberal arts college like Amherst. After visiting East Coast colleges, Shin decided to pursue a college experience that deviated from what he had always been expected, and expected himself, to do: attend Brigham Young University, participate on a mission and begin a family early. "I was in the process of coming out to myself, and I didn't really feel comfortable heading my life in that direction," he explained.

A life-changing conversion

When Shin arrived at Amherst, he "didn't quite mesh at first." He entered the College as a conservative, registered Republican, and he still quite hasn't lived it down-his "coldhearted conservatism" is a long-standing joke among his friends. He recalled fondly his first-year roommate, Raul Altreche '06, "We were very differnt people, and we also had pretty different tastes in music. We both brought loud speakers, so on one side of the room, you would have hip-hop, reggaeton and R&B, and on the other, you would have Disney, pop and Backstreet Boys." This experience was one of many that gradually changed Shin's perspectives. He explained, "I learned things that I had never thought about and never realized I would ever care about"-and to top it off, he became a "Dem, and a pretty solid one at that."

A stint in government

"This probably isn't good to admit, but every year, I sit down and make a life trajectory, with years and milestones," Shin admitted anyway. His plans have changed every year: one year, he hoped find himself working in government, as a "public servant." Working in student government fit naturally into his interests: "I like talking to people and getting to know them," he explained. His two year service as an AAS senator and his year as AAS treasurer were extremely productive: "Ian always stood out among the other student members ... he often presented clear and thoughtful points of view, offering wisdom beyond that of his years and his peers," said Associate Dean of Students Samuel Haynes. Shin's work continues to have presence at the College today; among his projects were the renovation of the CAP office's resources for student publications and the conception of the ever-popular talent contest "Amherst Idol."

RC extraordinaire

A resident counselor (RC) since his sophomore year, Shin had an intimidating first interview for the resident counselor position with Director of Residential Life Charri Boykin-East. However, he was a natural for the job: "I remember going to the first dorm meeting for Appleton [dormitory] and seeing Ian 'round up' his residents. He was extremely energetic, excited, and was hilarious all at the same time. It would speak to his RC performance for the next three years," said Liz Drexler, his RC area coordinator. Shin explained that it's the type of job that renews the Amherst experience, especially as a first-year RC: "It reminds you why you're at Amherst and refreshes your appreciation for it."

Laughs, love in the classroom

Shin also brought his enthusiasm and leadership into the classroom. His "distinctive laugh and razor-sharp questions, and his ability to keep things in perspective and not to take himself too seriously (well, most of the time)" were appreciated by his major advisor, Clark. Professor of English & American Studies Karen Sanchez-Eppler agreed, "Ian is modest in class, he carries his knowledge and hard work so lightly, with one of the best laughs. He builds community in classes and out, because he brings such joy and warmth to everything he does." Shin's thesis, which earned him magna cum laude honors, combined his passions for historical research, art history and American studies: he used 19th century Chinese dioramas to examine the effects that art can have on the construction of race. His thesis was inspired through his work and relationship with Clark, whom he described as having "single-handedly turned me to a love for American art history and American studies."

A new life trajectory

Shin leaves Amherst to take a job in the real world with the same principles that have grounded his education. Next year, he will be working for the Monitor Group, where he interned as a junior last summer. He hopes to do work with "hotels or Disney World-places that bring people joy," he joked. He added, "I like to think of Monitor as the Amherst of the business world. It's open curriculum consulting and a liberal artsy business." Beyond that, he's thinking about incorporating his former life trajectories into his current one, perhaps one day returning to Amherst and becoming a "Carol Clark" for other students. For now, he sees himself at Monitor: "I hope to stay there as long as they don't fire me and as long as I find it interesting," he laughed.