Marlin L. Heise, Secretary/Treasurer

A green parrot introduced Marlin L. Heise to Hmong people in the September, 1952, National Geographic Magazine. Western Minnesota farm life (born 1941), rural schools, and service in the US Army in Germany (1960-62) were the foundation for Heise’s interests in history, languages, travel, and cultural studies. A Scandinavian studies BA (1969) and incomplete MLS (1971-72) from the University of Minnesota led to 25 years of cataloging books at Minnesota Historical Society (1973-1998). Coffee breaks with Chong Toua Vang and working with Chia Thao in 1980-81 was his second introduction to Hmong, followed by multiple trips to Ban Vinai, beginning in 1982, and to Laos in 1998. After that first trip to Laos, early retirement came in June 1998, followed by the golden opportunity to donate his Hmong collections to a place where they could be used by the community. Now, Heise volunteers an archivist.

Brian V. Xiong, Member

Brian V. Xiong is a Hmong scholar and researcher covering a variety of multidisciplinary studies. He has been a professor at Minnesota State University-Mankato, St. Catherine University, Macalester College, and Inver Hills Community College. He has served as editorial board member for the Journal of Education Foundations, Hmong Studies Journal, and executive boards for the East Side Freedom Library, Cultural Diversity Resources, and National Advisory Council for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education. Xiong is currently serving as the President of the Hmong Educational Resources Publisher and author of “A Clan of Our Own: Coming Out Experiences of Gay Hmong Men,” “A New Journey: Hmong College Student Experiences,” “Puag Thaum Ub: Hmoob Xeem,” and “Martha L. Zimmerman Paj Ntaub Collection.” He holds a BA in Justice Administration and Sociology from Southwest Minnesota State University, a MS in Multicultural and Ethnic Studies from Minnesota State University-Mankato, and a EdD in Counselor Education and Supervision with an emphasis on College Student Affairs from MSU-Mankato.