Asian Pacific Island Student Alliance, or APISA, is a new student organization open to anyone. According to officer Avery Trinh, junior, anyone can join regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Events in the works include activities for the whole campus such as Asian food classes as well as more serious conversations about the Asian community at EMU. Trinh expressed interest in discussing the hate crimes against Asian people, the myth of Asians being the “model minority,” and how to increase support for local Asian businesses in Harrisonburg.
The idea for the club started last year with seniors Richard Vo and David Chun, junior Avery Trinh, and sophomore Cindi Boyer. Boyer explained how the club focuses on appreciating and exploring different Asian ethnicities and cultures through food, focus, and fun. She hopes to engage students with games, dancing, and cooking and “[wants to] host conversations and hold meetings learning about how the pandemic has impacted Asians and how to support local Asian businesses.”
Creating a new student organization requires application, interest, and presentation to SGA. In order to get this club up and running, Celeste Thomas, the Director of Multi-Cultural Services and advisor of BSA and LSA, was asked for help in discerning what the club would look like. Daniel Showalter, who hopes to lead a cross-cultural to Southeast Asia next fall, also advised. Showalter was helpful in recruiting those interested in the cross-cultural.
Officers Chun, Trinh, Boyer, junior Philia Lienardy, and senior Katelyn Dean created APISA to fulfill a need. The campus community was lacking a club to represent Asian/Pacific Islanders and create a space where international students in IEP from Asia could be personally welcomed into the EMU community, Trinh explained. APISA is also a club for anyone planning on going to Asia on cross cultural to learn about the culture.
Due to COVID, meetings are likely to take place over Zoom twice a month. A location has not yet been set.
The mission of Asian Pacific Island Student Alliance is to create another brave space at EMU to talk about race, and to celebrate and learn about Asian culture through food, fellowship and fun, Trinh concluded. The representatives welcome any and all new ideas and members to help direct the club. If you would like to join, contact Avery Trinh at avery.trinh@emu.edu or any of the other student leaders previously mentioned. Be sure and follow APISA on Instagram @apisa.emu.