Editor's note: This is the first in a series of profiles on ASU's diverse student coalitions.
Whether it's through hosting events or providing educational and social programs, Arizona State University's Asian/Asian Pacific American Student Coalition (AAPASC) fosters community and culture like few other organizations on campus.
With a primary goal of bringing Asian Pacific American students together, the coalition is led by 11 executive officers. Here, Kevin Ho, president of the AAPASC and a marketing and supply chain management junior, shares some history and information about the group.
Question: How did the AAPASC start?
Answer: Our coalition got started a while ago, back before I even started high school. Our organization has gone through different names; it’s changed because we want to have a more inclusive name to make sure we encompass a diverse amount of ethnicities and identities.
Q: What kind of activities does the coalition host?
A: Our coalition hosts anything from small socials to large-scale, university-wide events. We have signature events both semester, including a Fall Carnival in the fall semester and Culture Night in the spring semester. April is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and we host a number of large-scale events during that month to really promote APA (Asian Pacific American) cultures. We bring in well-known artists and guest speakers, host cultural awareness showcases and more.
Dancers perform at the Asian/Asian Pacific American Student Coalition Fall Carnival.
Q: What's your favorite part about the AAPASC?
A: My favorite part of the coalition is seeing the different communities that are involved with us. There are many different individuals and small communities that come together. There’s a lot of collaboration that goes on within the coalition, and it’s amazing to see so many different people of different backgrounds and identities to come together and push for the same goals within our organization.
Q: What's the biggest challenge your coalition has faced while you've been here?
A: The biggest challenge that our organization has faced is trying to reach out to more students. We are always striving to be inclusive to more people, but it can be difficult to do that if people do not know our organization. We are in the process of elevating our status as a university-wide organization so we can reach more students.
Q: What's your weekly schedule look like?
A: Weekly schedules in the coalition include overseeing different officers and making sure everyone’s doing their part. This can include making sure our newsletter goes out, helping advertise our member organizations’ events and meetings or emailing certain individuals about collaborations.
Q: Do you have any events coming up?
A: We have a Halloween social that’s coming up, which will be a scavenger hunt across the Tempe campus.
Q: How can people get involved?
A: People can be involved through a few different ways. Our member organizations are always inviting new members to join them! Additionally, any time we host large-scale events, we’re always looking for volunteers to help us out. There are many different ways for students to get involved in our community, and the best way to find out about this is to follow our Facebook: ASU Asian/Asian Pacific American Students’ Coalition.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to people to know about the AAPASC?
A: Our coalition is working hard to bring a more inclusive and welcoming community within all four campuses of the university. We are doing this alongside six other coalitions. You can come find us at the second floor of the Student Pavilion! Stop by and say hello whenever; we have an open-door policy.
Top photo: Members of the Asian/Asian Pacific American Student Coalition participate in a meet-and-greet event.
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