The Ithaca Asian American Association started in the Winter of 1997 by a group of concerned individuals who were interested in promoting, educating, and celebrating Asian heritage and culture. Drawing upon Asian American students from Cornell University, IAAA developed an educational and cultural program for Asian American youth to help them consider a college education and professional careers. Members of the then Ithaca Area Asian Association continued to meet from 1997 to 2003, and held programs and events such as the IthacAsian Golf Tournament (Summer 2003) to fundraise for IAAA programming.

In the Winter of 2003, new membership, especially of faculty and students from Ithaca College, augmented the existing membership from Cornell University and the longstanding local Ithaca community.

Together, throughout the Winter of 2003, the combined group reconstituted IAAA, recruited new board members, and renamed the organization The Ithaca Asian American Association. By-laws and a charter were written, and non-profit papers were filed for formal recognition as a non-profit community organization.

In October 2003, a Board of Directors for IAAA was elected, and Sivilay Somchanhmavong was nominated and elected to become IAAA's first President. Siv, as most people know him as, is a Laotian American with longstanding roots in the local Ithaca community. He graduated from public schools in the City of Ithaca, and went on to complete his college education and is now working at Cornell University in the Admissions Office.

Today, we are poised for phenomenal growth and opportunity. IAAA is confident about the future and the need to serve our diverse communities. We hope that you will join us and help us all continue to make history at IAAA!