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APIDA + Center

Ornamental Image of APIDA+ 2023 Graduation Ceremony Participants

Vision

Raise awareness of the APIDA communities' contributions to Virginia Tech, its surrounding areas, as well as nationally and globally.

Mission

The APIDA + Center’s mission is to advocate for the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) communities, including Virginia Tech faculty, staff, students, and alumni. We also aim to educate the campus community on issues centered around or related to our communities. All members of the campus and local community are welcome in the APIDA + Center and can participate in the APIDA + Center’s events, programs, and activities.

Goals 

  • Create and implement programming that supports the well-being, both mentally and physically, of the APIDA communities.
  • Educate the campus community around topics of APIDA history, culture, media, literature, popular culture among other subjects of interest.
  • Advise individual students as well as student organizations through the use of Student Development Theories.
  • Promote the integration of Asian and Asian American Studies curriculum throughout all colleges, departments, and/or programs.
  • Educate academic advisors on culturally sensitive practices around APIDA identities.
  • Building a more robust community with support structures to aid in student, faculty, and staff wellbeing.
  • Creating structures that promote the retention of APIDA students, faculty, and staff.

 

The APIDA + Center is part of the is a division of the Cultural and Community Centers (CCC) under the Virginia Tech Office for Inclusion and Diversity.  Through the efforts and advocacy of the Asian American Student Union (AASU) and in conjunction with the APIDA faculty, the APIDA + Center has a physical location in Squires Student Union. While the development of the center is ongoing, it can currently accommodate a maximum of 35 people for coalition building, meetings, programs, and gatherings, while also serving as a study space. In addition, the APIDA + Center features an HDTV for presentations and entertainment, a community microwave and hot water kettle for tea, and a lending library containing resources such as printed books and journals as well as media specific to APIDA history, literature, culture, and representation.

APIDA + Center Logo Green Glass Wall and Door Entrance with Text Underneath
APIDA + Center Logo
Graduate Asian Pacific Islander Desi Association (GAPIDA) General Flyer
Graduate Asian Pacific Islander Desi Association (GAPIDA) General Flyer

The APIDA Caucus serves as an advocacy and support group for faculty, staff, and graduate students at Virginia Tech and Blacksburg/NRV community members who self-identify as APIDA, or allies who are interested in participating in conversations relevant to the APIDA community. We also serve the APIDA community at other Virginia Tech campuses (Washington, D.C. area, etc). The Caucus acts as a liaison to the university administration and is committed to supporting the needs of all APIDA individuals. Our events are open to faculty, staff, graduate & undergraduate students, and community members.

To be added to our new email listserv (apidacaucus-g@vt.edu) and to get more information, please contact Dr. Vincent Wang at vmwang@vt.edu or Dr. Theo Lim at tclim@vt.edu. Want to get involved? Find us on Twitter @VTAPIDACaucus!

The Asian Pacific Islander Desi Alumni Society (APIDAS) of Virginia Tech is an organization dedicated to fostering community for allAsian/Asian American and Pacific Islander alumni. In addition to building a community of alums, we strive to foster mentorships with current undergrad and grad students, provide networking opportunities, and give back to our alma mater from wherever we are. If you are interested in learning more about us or would like to join, please email apidasvt@gmail.com.

Asian Pacific Islander Desi Alumni Society (APIDAS)
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To see a list of courses for Spring 2024, click button below:

Contact Information

Dr. Nina Ha - Director
nha@vt.edu

Teresa Wilson, M.A.Ed - Assistant Director
teresaan@vt.edu

140 Squires Student Center

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