Asian Immigrant is First Asian-American Mayor of Cupertino and Serves Community to Make it Welcoming for All

In 1977, Michael Chang left Hong Kong to attend San Francisco State University—and later earn a doctorate in education at Stanford University. Though he appreciated the racial and ethnic diversity of Santa Clara County, he wondered why people of color weren’t better represented in civic life. “Even in Santa Clara County where Asian Americans make up 60 percent of the immigrant population, there are few in public office, on school boards or in decision-making positions,” he says.

Chang began a lifelong mission to get more minorities involved in the institutions that serve them. Over the past two decades, he’s served on multiple municipal boards and in 1997, was elected the first Asian American mayor of Cupertino. “As an immigrant, I can come here and be elected as a representative of my own community,” Chang says.

While mayor, he cofounded the Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute to train the next generation of government, nonprofit, education and business leaders. Funded by a wide network of state, county and business partners, the institute offers programs in board and civic leadership and counts nearly 850 graduates from its youth leadership academy. Chang has also spent 30 years teaching civic leadership and Asian-American studies at De Anza College in Cupertino. “I like the challenge of having an impact on students and opening their eyes in a single quarter,” he says.

Chang says he welcomes the county’s efforts to promote belonging and inclusivity through its Office of Immigrant Relations, but he feels the county should do more to promote immigrant talent. One practical option would be funding workforce development programs in predominantly immigrant and minority communities. Still, he’s proud of what his community has accomplished. “I think Santa Clara County has the opportunity to be a role model for other counties,” he says.