May is Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month which uplifts and honors the identities, experiences, histories and cultures of Asian Pacific Islander and Desi-identified individuals.

APIDA is a pan-ethnic classification that intentionally includes South Asians (Desi) as part of the community along with those in the community of East Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander heritage. APIDA represents a diverse community of more than 50 ethnic groups and includes all people of Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander ancestry who trace their origins to the countries, states, jurisdictions and/or the diasporic communities of these geographic regions.

The APIDA Heritage Month Planning committee has coordinated a month of events that celebrates and honors APIDA communities, but also unpacks the label APIDA to allow for a deeper conversation and understanding of the many different cultures and ethnic groups included under the term APIDA. We hope that through your attendance at these events you engage with community and learn about how to support APIDA communities.

A special thank you to the APIDA Heritage Month Planning Committee for your hard work, organization, and commitment to providing important programming to the community.  

APIDA Heritage Month Planning Committee Members: 

• Tulea Enochs, Administrative Assistant  
• Shrija Ghandi, ESC Advocacy Coordinator  
• Chelsea Joefield, ESC Club Advisor & Program Manager  
• Erin Magarro, ESC Cultural Program Coordinator  
• Alexandra Rodgers, Resident Director  
• Bryce Sasaki, Academic Support Coordinator 
• Shalini Singh, Diversity Recruiter & Retention Specialist 
• Jeremy Wang, Academic Support Coordinator  
• Amy Salinas Westmoreland, Director of Multicultural Student Services 

• Residence Life
• Student Outreach Services
• Ethnic Student Center
• Multicultural Student Services
• College of the Environment
• AS Productions
• Community Relations