Not only is Jo the first Asian American to earn this position, but she is the first female to do so as well in a predominantly male institution.

Now that's killing two birds with one stone.

At her promotional ceremony, she said: "I didn't have to flash the female card or the minority card to get where I'm at. I really appreciate the fact that it doesn't matter who you are or what skin color you have; I think perseverance, hard work and dedication pays off."