APIDA + Center

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.