Ge Xiong is a former teacher and Hmong refugee from Laos who arrived in Shabbona, Illinois, on January 17, 1979, at the age of 26, without speaking a word of English. While working full-time, he persevered in learning the language and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in educational policy and Community Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Widely respected for his dedication to community service, Xiong is well known throughout the Hmong community in Wisconsin for his leadership and advocacy. Since October 2022, he has served as Chair of the Hmong Language and Literacy Committee, an organization committed to preserving and strengthening the Hmong language—one of the world’s endangered languages. The committee also serves as a vital voice in promoting Hmong literacy through reading and writing.