Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
Happy Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
The month of May is celebrated each year as Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an annual celebration to honor the rich culture, deep history and beautiful heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in U.S. history. The month of May was selected not only to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States on May 7, 1843, but also to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The overwhelming majority of the workers who constructed the transcontinental railroad were Chinese immigrants.
Over 100 years later in 1979, then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed the initial presidential proclamation for “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.” Just 13 years later in 1992, Congress passed an amendment to officially observe Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with “appropriate ceremonies, programs and activities.”
At USC, there are a litany of resources committed to serving the unique needs of all students. The Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS) serves as an example of such resources. Founded in 1982, APASS not only seeks to “to educate, engage and empower” but to specifically do so through “active participation, dialogue and community-building.”
In addition to resources such as APASS, there is also the Asian Pacific American Student Assembly and the Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American (APIDA) Leaders Community. The latter, which is open to all, is devoted to cultivating a space and community for active engagement and opportunities for development regarding leadership and personal growth, as well as helping students successfully transition into college.
There have been a number AAPI alums who have left an indelible mark on our Trojan Family and have continued to represent USC graciously; whether it’s Ke Huy Quan (’99), a renowned actor who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, or Cynthia Kadohata (’79), a Newbery Medal- and National Book Award-winning author who often explores the challenges that come with a “hyphenated heritage” in her novels.
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge all our incredible students, many of whom serve as mentors for first-year students or as First-Generation Student Leaders. These mentors and leaders are a terrific resource for “providing insight, advice and perspective for navigating university life” as a first-gen and/or college student. In conjunction with students, staff such as Peter Limthongviratn, who serves as a manager within APASS, continue to build and strengthen the USC community through fervent involvement.
As USC students, faculty, and staff continue to celebrate the month, we invite everyone to take part in the rich array of events and discussions planned for the month. Whether it's attending a cultural performance, listening to a speaker, or engaging in conversation, there are countless ways to learn, celebrate and honor the vibrant history and future of our communities on and off campus. AAPI Heritage Month is not only for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. It's truthfully a celebration that every American can participate in!
Written by: Andy T. Nguyen, Senior Assistant Director – USC Office of Admission
Edited by: Jessie Guisler, Assistant Director – USC Office of Admission