On February 11, 2025, the All-Armenian Student Association (All-ASA), a non-profit umbrella organization representing over 50 Armenian Student Associations across the United States and globally, announced a series of major reforms and new programs aimed at strengthening Armenian youth potential, expanding opportunities, and ensuring long-term success. Last month, the All-ASA Senate, comprised of delegates from each constituent chapter, overwhelmingly approved these changes, reports Zartonk Media.
The reforms introduce initiatives to expand All-ASA’s reach, strengthen student networks, and provide Armenian students with professional and academic opportunities. These changes align with All-ASA’s mission to unify, lead, and empower Armenian students in the diaspora”with the ultimate goal of institutionalizing long-term success.
Key Reforms & Initiatives:
- Formation of the Steering Board & Board of Alumni Advisors to ensure long-term stability and provide mentorship, professional guidance, and leadership support.
- Launch of the All-ASA Mentorship Program, pairing ASA students with top Armenian professionals, executives, and industry leaders.
- $500,000 Scholarship Program, awarding five $25,000 scholarships annually to outstanding Armenian students based on need and merit.
- Internship Placement Program, securing high-impact internships for Armenian students at top firms across various industries.
- Expansion to the East Coast, merging with ASA United to establish the All-ASA Eastern Chapter, streamlining leadership and increasing nationwide coordination.
- Increased Support for High School, East Coast, Smaller, and International ASA’s, ensuring more Armenian student groups have access to resources, leadership development, and networking opportunities.
By unlocking and maximizing the vast potential within the Armenian student community, All-ASA aims to foster closer ties between Armenia and the diaspora while contributing to Armenia’s continued advancement in the 21st century.
Key Highlights of All-ASA Reforms
Introduction of Advisory Boards
To ensure the longevity of these reforms beyond the annual executive board turnover, All-ASA has established a Steering Board and a Board of Alumni Advisors to guide the organization in an advisory capacity.
The Steering Board consists of Armenian community leaders, professionals, and industry pioneers. Members include:
- Peter Baghdassarian (Founding Partner, Baghdassarian and Baghdassarian, P.C. and Principal, International Grill, Inc.)
- Ani Hovanessian (Partner, Willkie, Farr & Gallagher Private Clients Group)
- Razmig Hovaghimian (Co-founder & CEO, Play Time, Co-founder, Matchday)
- Vahe Kuzoyan (President and Co-Founder, Service Titan)
- Arby Nahapetian (Chief Clinical Officer, Adventist Health)
- Armen Panossian (Co-CEO, Oaktree Capital Management)
- Chris Petrossian (Managing Director, Co-Head of Consumer and Head of the Los Angeles Office, Lincoln International)
- Serge Sinanian (Executive Vice President, Sinanian Development, Inc)
- Ani Vartanian (Managing Partner, Rubicon Point Partners LLC)
- Armen Yemenidjian (Founder, Armenco Capital)
- Kevork Zoryan (Former Managing Director, Morgan Stanley; Head of Real Estate Investment Banking for the Western U.S.)
All-ASA has assembled a Steering Board of accomplished Armenian professionals from various industries, all of whom share a passion for empowering Armenian students.
Board member Vahe Kuzoyan emphasized the importance of mentorship and network-building: “The [Armenian Student Association] is how I met my co-founder, and the broader Armenian community was a part of our journey every step of the way. This initiative is meant to pay it forward to the next generation in the most amplified possible way through mentorship and network building.”
Board member Razmig Hovaghimian reflected on his own ASA experience: “My formative experiences in the U.S. began with Armenian Student Associations ” from [UC] Berkeley’s ASA, helping me navigate what’s next after the dot-com bubble burst, to Stanford’s ASA, where I got to meet an undergrad titan in the making, Ara [Mahdessian], and dream up start-ups. It’s an incredible community. We’re excited to keep building this platform for everyone and fostering an interconnected, thriving global ASA community.”
Board member Peter Baghdassarian echoed these sentiments: “ASA plays a huge role in shaping both personal and professional journeys. It can provide a sense of community and open doors that may not have been available early in the college experience. I’m excited to support an initiative that helps take it to a higher level ensuring future Armenian students have even more opportunities to grow and lead.”
Meanwhile, the Board of Alumni Advisors will consist of ASA alumni with at least one year of experience on an ASA or All-ASA executive board. Set to take effect at the end of the academic year, this board will help coordinate student-alumni relations and facilitate communication with the Steering Board.
Special Initiatives
All-ASA, in collaboration with the newly established advisory boards, will oversee several major initiatives, including a Mentorship Program, Internship Placement Program, Scholarship Program, and other special projects.
All-ASA Mentorship Program
The first-of-its-kind mentorship initiative will pair select ASA students with 50 of the brightest minds in the Armenian community, including professionals from Morgan Stanley, Netflix, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Deloitte, Adventist Health Glendale, and UCLA School of Medicine. The goal is to bridge generations, strengthen the Armenian professional network, and foster a culture of excellence.
Mentors shared their enthusiasm:
Chris Petrossian: “Building a strong network early on is one of the most important steps toward long-term success. ASA provides students access to mentorship, career guidance, internships, and lifelong connections. I’m proud to support a platform that empowers Armenian-American students and helps them navigate their academic and professional journeys with a strong community behind them.”
Dr. Sylvia Kotikian: “I look forward to mentoring students with the same hopes, aspirations and struggles that I had not so long ago. By serving as a mentor, I hope to instill resilience and confidence in my mentees that their goals are achievable. My life experiences will serve as a road map for future aspiring physicians and health care leaders.”
Aileen Agopian: “By sharing our knowledge, professional experience and fostering connections, I believe this mentorship program will empower the next generation of Armenian leaders to make a significant impact in their chosen fields. I am personally honored to pave the way for these future leaders in the global art market by simultaneously guiding them to identify their place in the artworld and reshape it with their vision.”
$500,000 Scholarship Program
The All-ASA Scholarship Program, funded by the Steering Board and its network, will award $500,000 in scholarships over the next four years. Each year, five $25,000 scholarships will be given to high-achieving Armenian students based on need and merit“making this one of the largest scholarship programs for Armenian students.
Internship Placement Program
All-ASA will place Armenian students in top-tier internships across industries including law, business, accounting, finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, real estate development, consulting, private equity, investment management, retail, consumer goods, technology, and investment firms.
Expansion to the East Coast
All-ASA has merged with ASA United to form the All-ASA Eastern Chapter, streamlining leadership and expanding its nationwide reach. The organization has also adopted ASA United’s Compass publication under its Cultural Committee.
All-ASA encourages Armenian students, community members, and stakeholders to get involved in these transformative initiatives launching in 2025.
To stay updated, visit all-asa.org or email webmaster@all-asa.org.
