Minjeong Kim

Minjeong Kim is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies at San Diego State University. She served as Department Chair from 2018-2023. Her research examines gender, race, family, migration, and popular culture through ethnographic approaches.

Education includes a Ph.D. in Sociology from University at Albany-SUNY, M.A. in Women's Studies from Albany-SUNY, and B.S. in Computer Engineering from Kyungsung University, South Korea.

Research focuses on:

• Transnational Korean communities in US-Mexico border regions
• Marriage immigration and multicultural policies in South Korea
• Media representations of race and gender in Hollywood and K-pop

Publications show consistent focus on migration, gender politics, and racial representation across media formats. Recent works analyze transborder Korean communities and racial dynamics in animated films.

Awards include:

• Woodrow Wilson Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
• Karen R. Hitchcock New Frontiers Fund
• LGBTA Ally of the Year, Virginia Tech

Research funded by NSF and Academy of Korean Studies. Advises graduate students on immigration, race, and family topics. Directs research projects through the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies.