The Asian American Student Union (AASU) at Virginia Tech was founded in 1991 in hopes of uniting existing Asian student organizations in the university. The purpose of the AASU was to represent the voice of Asian-American students to the university community. This included the university government, the student community, as well as the town of Blacksburg. The AASU is a University Chartered Student Organization, meaning it is directly recognized and maintains relations with Virginia Tech. Because of this status, the AASU has obtained a seat in the Commission on Student Affairs, giving it a permanent place in influencing policy that affect students of the university. The AASU has played a role in founding the Multicultural Center in Squires Student Center.

Another purpose of the AASU is to educate the Virginia Tech community on the culture and heritage of its Asian-American students. As a result, the AASU is involved in establishing several programs on campus such as the highly regarded Annual AASU Culture Show which displays the culture of Asian-Americans through skit, poetry, song, readings, traditional and modern fashions, and traditional and modern dances.

The AASU also sponsors the Rising International Community Edutainment Show, better known as the R.I.C.E. Concert. During this event Asian performing artists such as comedians, singers, and dancers from around the country and even the world are invited to perform for the Virginia Tech community. Recent guests include comedian/actress Margaret Cho, rapper Jin, comedian Eliot Chang, and singer Trish Thuy Trang.

In addition to these shows, the AASU also holds events such as the Speakers' Series to educate the university community on Asian issues. Recent speakers included actor Parry Shen, star of the critically acclaimed Asian-American movie, Better Luck Tomorrow, who spoke on Asian stereotypes in the media and in the film industry. AASU's Dialogue Series brings together members of the university community to discuss issues that concern the Asian community.

Recently, the AASU is starting an AASU alumni relations program. This program would benefit both alumni and current members in terms of access to information, news, and announcements. Furthermore, the alumni relations program would benefit alumni and current members through job search programs as well as career and graduate school networking programs.

Currently, the Asian American Student Union consists of ten member Asian student organizations on campus. They include the Chinese American Society, Filipino American Student Association, Korean American Student Association, Kurabu-Nippon (the Japanese Cultural Association), the Society of Indian Americans, Vietnamese Student Association, alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Inc., Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc., Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity.

The AASU Executive Council, consisting of the AASU Executive Board Officers and the representatives from the ten member organizations, meets weekly in the Squires Multicultural Center.