PHILADELPHIA – Peter Van Do has been named director of the Pan-Asian American Community House at the University of Pennsylvania, effective July 23.

Van Do comes to Penn from Cornell University, where he served as assistant director/program director for Community Center Programs in the Student Activities Office. He mentored and advised student groups, student employees and organizational leaders to enhance the student experience and foster community. His professional specialties include mentorship model approach, organizational and program development, leadership and team building.

Previously at Cornell, Van Do served as program coordinator for the Department of Communication and as curator and director of “Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon,” a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Program Series staged at Cornell.

Van Do also worked as student activities coordinator at the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations at Harvard University.

“I am delighted to welcome Peter Van Do to the Penn community,” said William Gipson, associate vice provost for equity and access. “Peter’s commitment to student leadership and his fine work in the development of programs that strengthen community and deepen understanding across various markers of identity made him extraordinarily attractive and the ideal person to lead PAACH forward.”

“I am excited to bring my experience and background to PAACH and the larger Penn community,” Van Do said. “I look forward to supporting PAACH's mission as a hub of academic, personal and professional growth for all Penn students.”

Van Do holds a master’s degree in American studies from the University of Massachusetts and a bachelor’s in history and citation in Asian American studies from the University of Maryland. He is completing a master’s in Asian studies at Cornell.