The need to unify Asian-American voices and the desire to impassion student activism were the issues that dominated the platform in yesterday's Asian American Association (AAA) elections.

Joan R. Cheng '95 and Haewon Hwang '95 were elected co-presidents of the group at a three-hour meeting before more than 70 people in Sever Hall. They defeated three other candidates and take over immediately as leaders of the organization.

In their campaign speech, the two said they had the experience to lead AAA.

"We've been there to see what has worked and what hasn't worked," Cheng said.

Cheng and Hwang said they ran together because AAA needed their combined experiences to increase the visibility of the organization on the campus.

Hwang, who organized the first AAA fashion show that raised money for the Battered Asian Women's Shelter, said her work as the former social-fundraising chair had given her the experience to run social events.

In contrast to Hwang's leadership in the social arena, Cheng said her work as the former Harvard Conference chair had given her the experience to handle administrative and financial matters.

"Our combined experiences show that we have what it takes to initiate and carry out our ideas," Hwang said. "Those two aspects come from our diverse backgrounds."

AAA also elected Spencer J. Lee '95 as vice president and Andrew L. Ileto '95 as treasurer.

Alex H. Cho '96, who made his first appearance at an AAA meeting during yesterday's election, was elected secretary.