In the Community

Showing Up. Listening.Staying Connected.

I have always believed that public service happens in the community, not just at the dais.

Over the years, I have stayed connected through schools, neighborhood meetings, community celebrations, cultural and faith gatherings, nonprofits, local businesses, workshops, and conversations with residents—often to listen and learn.

Many examples on this page are documented in my Councilmember Reports, published with Cupertino City Council agendas since April 2023. They reflect connections built and maintained between elections, not only when major issues arise.

Liang Chao and a child displaying traditional clothing at a cultural festival

Liang Chao joining a cultural dance at an outdoor community celebration

Liang Chao dancing with community members at a cultural celebration

Liang Chao greeting community members from a parade car

Liang Chao with a faith leader outside a community church

Connected with De Anza

**My family’s connection with De Anza began when my sons attended preschool at the College’s Child Development Center.** Years later, they returned as high school students to take community college classes. I stay directly connected with De Anza—as a student, community leader, and active participant in campus life.

Recent examples include:

Joining a De Anza English class trip to explore Rodin sculptures at Stanford
Participating in a De Anza voter-registration drive, bringing information about the City of Cupertino
Visiting the Santa Clara County Mobile Health Clinic at De Anza College
Visiting the Euphrat Museum of Art with the Arts and Culture Commission and viewing student artwork
Observing a staff leadership training at the Student Center by invitation

A De Anza English class learning about Rodin sculptures at Stanford

Liang Chao bringing Cupertino information to a De Anza voter-registration drive

The Santa Clara Valley Healthcare Mobile Health Center at De Anza College

Student artwork on display at the Euphrat Museum of Art

A staff leadership training session at the De Anza College Student Center

At a Glance

Education & Youth

Students, families, schools, colleges, youth programs, and educational organizations.

Service, Health, Disability & Inclusion

Organizations supporting people with disabilities, seniors, families, health, housing, and opportunity.

Business, Technology & Professional Community

Businesses, employers, entrepreneurs, technology leaders, chambers, and professional organizations.

Neighborhoods & Community Life

Residents, neighborhoods, seniors, emergency volunteers, and grassroots groups.

Cultural & International Communities

Cultural, heritage, multicultural, sister-city, and international connections.

Faith Communities

Listening and learning across many faiths and traditions.

Civic, Environmental & Community Advocacy

Public participation, policy, sustainability, environmental advocacy, and civic dialogue.

Arts, Media & Creative Community

Museums, music, performance, media, art, and community storytelling.

Education & Youth

Education and young people have been a consistent part of my community involvement.

My connections have included Cupertino Union School District, Fremont Union High School District, Cupertino Educational Endowment Foundation, FUHSD Foundation, Association of Northern California Chinese Schools, Homestead FBLA, Monta Vista student groups, Cupertino Little League, and local scouting organizations.

Through school events, student programs, youth activities, and conversations with students and families, I continue to hear directly from people experiencing education at different stages.

Young people and community members gathered outside Cupertino Community Hall

Liang Chao with students displaying hands-on science and engineering projects

Young people participating in a team activity on an athletic field

Students presenting cultural projects and traditional clothing

Young cricket players receiving awards at an outdoor event

Liang Chao with local scouts and community volunteers at Cupertino City Hall

Service, Health, Disability & Inclusion

I have stayed connected with organizations serving people with disabilities, seniors, families in need, and residents seeking health, housing, employment, or other support.

My connections have included Friends of Children with Special Needs, San Andreas Regional Center, AbilityPath, Camp Via West, West Valley Community Services, Santa Clara County Mobile Health Clinic, and San Jose Conservation Corps.

These relationships give me opportunities to learn directly from organizations working to expand access, independence, support, and inclusion.

Business, Technology & Professional Community

Silicon Valley changes quickly, so I stay connected with businesses, entrepreneurs, employers, technology leaders, chambers, and professional organizations to better understand how industries and workforce needs are evolving.

My connections have included the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, TiE Silicon Valley, Chinese American Semiconductor Professional Association, U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Council, and Global Federation of Chinese Business Women — Northern California Chapter.

I have also met directly with local businesses and technology companies across AI, software, smart-city technology, finance, real estate, hospitality, and other industries. Those conversations provide insight into workforce needs and opportunities for internships, apprenticeships, mentorships, and career pathways.

Neighborhoods & Community Life

Some of the most useful conversations happen in neighborhoods, around a table, or at the site of an issue itself.

I have met with residents from Deep Cliff, Seven Springs, Regnart, Garden Gate, North Blaney, McClellan Terrace, Glenbrook Apartments, Linda Vista, Adriana Avenue, and other neighborhoods, and stayed connected with Block Leaders, Neighborhood Watch, CERT, CARE, ARM, senior communities, and grassroots volunteers.

These conversations help me understand how public decisions affect people in their everyday lives.

Cultural & International Communities

Our community’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and I have stayed connected with cultural, heritage, multicultural, sister-city, and international organizations.

My connections have included the Indian Community Center, Asian American Parents Association, Taiwanese American Federation of Northern California, Taiwanese Culture and Sports Association, Korean American Community Services, Filipino Community Center, Association of Indo Americans, WomenNow, Citizens for Better Community, and Shin Shin Educational Foundation.

I have also participated in sister-city and friendship-city activities connecting Cupertino with communities in Hsinchu, Toyokawa, Coppertino, Taichung, Bhubaneswar, Xianning, and other places around the world.

Faith Communities

I value opportunities to visit, listen, and learn from people of different faiths and traditions.

My connections have included the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Baitul Baseer Mosque, Evergreen Muslim Community Center, River of Life Christian Church, Mountain View Buddhist Temple, Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, Jain Center of Northern California, St. Andrew Armenian Church, Silicon Valley Jewish Coalition, and Dharma Drum Mountain Silicon Valley Center.

These visits help me better understand the experiences and traditions of the communities I serve.

A community choir performing at a holiday celebration

Liang Chao with community members at Balaji Temple

Liang Chao outside a Hindu temple during a community gathering

Liang Chao in conversation with women at a faith-community gathering

A drum performance at a community New Year celebration

Liang Chao at a cultural community celebration

Civic, Environmental & Community Advocacy

Strong communities depend on people who participate, organize, ask questions, and care about public issues.

I have engaged with organizations including the League of Women Voters, Braver Angels, Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter, Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, Save the Bay, California Product Stewardship Council, and other civic, environmental, and community advocacy groups.

We may not always agree on every issue, but I value hearing different perspectives and staying connected with people actively involved in public policy and community life.

Arts, Media & Creative Community

Art, music, media, and storytelling create important ways for people to connect across generations and cultures.

My connections have included the Euphrat Museum of Art at De Anza College, Palo Alto Art Center, Cupertino Symphonic Band, Visionary Arts, Be Natural Music, Cupertino TV Productions, and other local arts, performance, and media groups.

I have also supported community storytelling efforts that preserve the experiences and memories of people who have helped shape our community.

A Community Connected to Our Colleges

What I have learned through years of community engagement shapes how I see Foothill and De Anza.

Our colleges should not be islands. They should be connected to K–12 schools, neighborhoods, employers, nonprofits, cultural and faith communities, seniors, people with disabilities, and residents who simply want to keep learning.

Those relationships can strengthen student pathways, internships and apprenticeships, lifelong-learning opportunities, cultural and civic programs, and campuses that truly function as community anchors.

For me, staying connected means showing up, listening, learning from people with different experiences, responding when help is needed, and staying engaged between elections.

That is the approach I have brought to the School Board and City Council, and the approach I would bring to the Foothill-De Anza Board.