This page will include all related information about Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Month. We are open to including additional information and feedback. Feel free to email Terrian Garvis at [email protected] or reach out to set up a chat with him to discuss more about the month.
The month of May brings the close of the semester. There are not many events on campus; however, in April there were a few events and activities that happened on our campus including (but not limited to):
April 2 through April 19: Asian Student Association & Triandiflou Institute "Our Faculty" APIDA edition
April 06: Asian Student Association Taste of Asia Dinner
April 25: Asian Student Association Presents: Asian Journeys in the Tech Industry
Photo retrieved from Professor Cynthia Clabough. Hidden Women Exhibition project by Advanced Illustration and Graphic Design students. This photo is of Dr. Haunai-Kay Trask, a Native Hawaiian advocate, leader, and educator in Hawaii.
Sutton, M. (2022) Dr. Haunai-Kay Trask
APIDA Month History
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month (APIDA) throughout May is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the nation's history, culture, and society.
The Asian Pacific American community is made up of more than 50 distinct ethnic groups, including Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hawaiian, Samoan, Cambodian, Uzbekistan, and many others. Each group has its own unique history, traditions, and contributions to the United States.
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush signed legislation extending the celebration to the whole month of May, continuing a late 1970s initiative to formally commemorate the contributions made by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States. The month of May was chosen to commemorate two important events: the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was largely constructed by Chinese immigrants; and the entry of the first recorded Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1843. These occasions signify important turning points in the history of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and the contributions they have made to the expansion and progress of the United States.
Considerations for Faculty & Instructors
You, as a faculty member, staff, or instructor, brought an amazing speaker or performer to campus but you started to notice lower student attendance and engagement. We have asked a faculty member what are some considerations to provide colleagues to encourage more student attendance.
With more student attendance and engagement, you are further educating the student and everyone wants their guest to be satisfied with a(n)(almost) full space. If you know of a colleague on campus who is having an event here are a few considerations:
- Provide extra credit to students who attend and/or ask them to include an additional task to earn that extra credit (students take a picture with the speaker, submit a short essay on it, etc.)
- Integrate attendance and engagement with the event with current assignments
- Briefly share the event with your class and see if students are interested in the topic of the events (encourage attendance)
Student Organizations
Asian Student Association- The Asian Student Association strives to promote the culture and traditions of the Asian community in fun, interactive ways such as weekly programs, tabling, events, and more. Through these activities, ASA builds a community between students and a better understanding of Asian culture. ASA is an inclusive space and welcomes anyone interested in ASA regardless of ethnicity. Follow ASA on Instagram @asa_osu
Resources
Career Services: Resource Catalog
- Click or go to the website above. Find the section called, "Afffinity Group Resources" and then "Resource Catalog". The catalog is in alphabetical order so find the "Asian-American; East and South Asian” or “Middle Eastern” section and explore the career-related resources there.
Penfield Library: Asian/Pacific American Research Resources
Have you considered an international trip before? Does it feel like you cannot go due to finances or time constraints?
What if we shared that it could be feasible to take an international trip during the summer or semester that could result in college credits?
SUNY Oswego International Education and Programs has a list of semester and summer abroad programs in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan (Located here: International Program Search) There are other options in Latin America and Europe to consider. Also, there is a list of scholarships available for you on the website. For more information about the Asian specific countries, contact Amy Wallace at [email protected]