Since June 2018, Noel Harmon has been the President and Executive Director of Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars or APIA Scholars, which is the largest non-profit organization that provides college scholarships to APIA students in financial need. The numbers are impressive: 7,200 scholars have been awarded since 2003, 65% are first generation college students, 70% live below or at the poverty line. With an annual portfolio of $15 million with a staff of about 15 people, over $150 million in scholarships awarded in total to date.

Prior to APIA Scholars, Noel Harmon worked as the Senior Vice President for Strategic Partnerships for Yes to Education. She spent the first decade of her career in direct service to students, working in administration at Hofstra University, University of Michigan, Western Illinois University, and four years in Athletic Student Services at the University of Iowa. Noel Harmon holds a PhD in Higher Education and a BA in English from the University of Iowa, and a MA in Student Affairs Administration from Ball State University.

Noel Harmon is also a mother to a beautiful daughter, wife to retired NFL player Ronnie Harmon, and a Korean adoptee who was mostly raised in Iowa of the United States.

In our conversation, we talked about Noel's journey starting all the way back from when she was a baby born in Daegu, South Korea, how her unique background and experiences have shaped her lens and perspective in addressing social and racial inequities, what it takes to lead a thriving non-profit scholarship organization, and how she stays present in her daily life. We were inspired by the drive, passion, and wisdom that Noel has for life, leadership, and education—and hope you will, too.

Hosts: Cliff Hsia and Derek Kamm