November 2024 at the AAPI Center

Happy November from the AAPI Center! This month, we are excited to share about a new peer counseling initiative launching soon, updates from our learning communities, and upcoming events. Read on for details about a university-wide AAPI student survey.

Attention all AAPI students! The AAPI Center wants to understand your experience at USF. You should have received a confidential survey via email asking you various questions about your background, feelings of connection, and use of student resources at USF. All students who complete the survey will receive a gift card. The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Questions about the survey? Contact Professor Hsiu-Lan Cheng at hcheng13@usfca.edu. Thank you in advance for filling it out!

In September 2024, the AAPI Center received $43,727 in supplemental AANAPISI funding from the Department of Education to develop a new AAPI Peer Counseling pilot program for our AAPI students. This new program will begin in January 2025 and is led by Nina Samaco-Zamora (Psychology).

The AAPI Center is accepting applications for AAPI-identified undergraduate students who wish to become trained as peer counselors. Applications are due Friday, Nov. 15. Visit our website for more details »

Through the fall semester, our FLC (facilitated by Professor Saera Khan) has examined the question, “What does it mean to be Asian American in California?”

We read Shubeik Lubeik, a graphic novel by Deena Mohamed that “imagines a fantastical alternate Cairo where wishes really do come true.” The FLC also took a field trip to the Asian Art Museum to visit Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition. We look forward to continuing discerning APIMEDA identities through the spring!

Our SLLC kicked off in late October with colleagues from departments across campus to begin a dialogue about how we can better serve Pacific Islander students at USF.

Facilitated by Kahanu Salavea, we will spend the next few weeks engaging with student leaders and community guests to reflect on enhanced practices for student support. We are excited to embark on this journey through the end of the semester!

Our Leadership Fellows are continuing their exploration of AAPI social justice leadership in our AAPI Leadership course (CDS 390). Students are creating their own Leadership Portfolio Projects and beginning to explore internship opportunities for the spring semester. 

Find more details about voting on campus and visit the USFVotes Election Watch Party at the UC 1st Floor Atrium from 4:30–10 p.m. 

Learn more and find your polling place »
Access the USFVotes one-stop shop »

Election Special »
Tuesday, Nov. 5  |  4–5 p.m.

International Education Week Social »
Tuesday, Nov. 19  |  4–5 p.m.

All events at the Intercultural Center (UC 411/412)

Are you an international student? Are you someone more connected to a culture outside the United States? Or are you an individual who wants to be more connected to diverse cultures? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Cafe International is the place for you. Join Sylvia from the DRC, enjoy a stress-free coffee break, and chat about food, music, pop culture, and anything and everything to help you recharge.

Tuesday, Nov. 12  |  6–8 p.m.  |  UC 411/412

Get ready for the end of the semester with the AAPI Center! Bring some friends to study with and join us at the Intercultural Center for free snacks, coffee, and tea. Open to all students! RSVP for Study Night »

Opening in August 2024 at the Thacher Gallery, Long Distance Relationship: Asian American Comics Artists and the Complexities of Connecting presents five creators employing a range of styles and techniques to explore their complicated relationships with family, culture, and community. The AAPI Center co-presented the exhibition. We asked the co-curators their thoughts on Tessa Hulls' work:

Tessa's work and Long Distance Relationship is on display until Nov. 10. 

Check out Zine, Comics, and Pizza TONIGHT from 5–7 p.m. Create your own zine or comic — templates and supplies provided by the Gleeson Zine Library! Learn more »

This month, the AAPI Center was invited to attend the 15th Annual Talanoa Series at the City College of San Francisco, hosted by the Critical Pacific Islands & Oceania Studies Program and VĀSĀ Program. We also commemorated Pilipinx American History Month with Post-Grad Kababayan, a wonderful alumni panel co-presented with the Cultural Centers, and participated in CelebrateUSF festivities. In mid-October, we then participated in the AANAPISI Project Directors’ Meeting at the U.S. Department of Education to connect with colleagues all across the United States and Pacific Islands to exchange promising practices and imagined new ways to collaborate across schools. 

Dim Sum with APAN at Harborview Restaurant with Provost Fung, APAS faculty, and USF alumni (October 2024)

AANAPISI Project Directors’ Meeting at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC (October 2024)

Post-Grad Kababayan: USF Pilipinx Alumni in the Community (October 2024)

CCSF 15th Annual Talanoa Series with Va’eomatoka “Toka” Valu (September 2024)

We invite you to share about recent successes, campus events for promotion, and spotlights on students, faculty, and staff! Contact AAPIcenter@usfca.edu.

The Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Center at the University of San Francisco is funded by a grant from the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) Program of the U.S. Department of Education.