APISAA Heritage Month 2025

Unveiling Stories: Celebrating APISAA Heritage, Culture, and Resilience

The origins of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month date back to the late 1970s, when a group of activists and community leaders came together to raise awareness about the history and contributions of APIs in the United States. In 1978, they successfully lobbied Congress to pass a joint resolution designating the first week of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. Over the years, the weeklong celebration grew in popularity and significance, prompting Congress to expand the observance to a full month in 1992. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first-known Japanese immigrant to the United States, and also marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad, which was largely built by Chinese immigrants. Today, API Heritage Month is celebrated across the country with a variety of events, programs and activities that showcase the rich cultural heritage and diverse contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to the United States.

At CSUF, we celebrate Asian Pacific Islander South Asian American (APISAA) Heritage Month every April, instead of May, to ensure the inclusion and active participation of the campus community. APISAA is a more inclusive term to honor our diverse identities as we continue to strive for better representation. To learn more about the term APISAA, visit the Asian Pacific American Resource Center Instagram.

The theme of the 2025 APISAA Heritage Month is “Unveiling Stories: Celebrating APISAA Heritage, Culture, and Resilience.” This year, we come together to honor and uplift the diverse cultures, histories, and traditions within the Asian Pacific Islander South Asian American (APISAA) community. We celebrate the richness of our collective experiences while acknowledging the challenges we face and striving to foster greater understanding, unity, and learning. APISAA Heritage Month serves as a powerful reminder that each individual within our community is a vital and irreplaceable part of the whole. By embracing our differences and sharing our stories, we pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

To have your program added to the calendar of events, please submit the Call for Programs form.

Upcoming events

APISAA Heritage Month Kick Off Event

Tuesday, April 8
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., PLS 180 Brave Space

APISAA Heritage Month Kick-Off event will celebrate and honor the diverse cultures, traditions, and histories that contribute to our shared APISAA heritage. This event serves as the launch of a month-long series of activities, events, celebrations, and educational programs that aim to raise awareness and appreciation for cultural diversity. The kick-off event will feature a vibrant blend of games, food, and interactive experiences to engage attendees in the spirit of celebration and reflection.

Open to all. Follow @csufaparc on Instagram

Confronting Mental Health Stigmas with CAPS Liaison, Dr. Phi Loan Le

Monday, April 14
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., APARC PLS 187

APARC's CAPS liaison, Dr. Phi Loan Le, will be leading a conversation regarding the stigma on Mental Health in the APISAA community, hosted in APARC! Come join us if you'd like support with stress, mental health, and overall well-being and want to partake in conversation with Dr. Phi Loan Le.

Open to all. Follow @csufaparc on Instagram

Titan Night Market

Tuesday, April 15
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Tuffy Lawn

Join us in this exciting annual event that brings together students, faculty, and the local community to celebrate diverse cultures, food, and entertainment. Titan Night Market features a vibrant mix of food trucks, local vendors, live performances, and interactive activities. It's a lively gathering where attendees can enjoy delicious food and experience the energy of student-led entertainment. Titan Night Market fosters a sense of community, offering a fun and engaging environment for everyone to connect and unwind while showcasing the creativity and talents of the CSUF student body.

Open to all. Follow @csufaparc on Instagram

Thai, Lao, Cambodian New Year Celebration

Thursday, April 17
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., APARC PLS 187

The Thai, Lao, Cambodian New Year Celebration will be a vibrant and festive event that honors the traditional New Year celebrations from these three Southeast Asian cultures. This event will feature foods, community activities, games, and offering a unique opportunity to experience and learn about the rich customs and history of these countries. Join us to learn more about Thai, Lao, Cambodian New Year!

Follow @csufaparc on Instagram

Southeast Asia: Religion, Environment, and AI

Tuesday, April 22
Morning session: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., PLS 601
Afternoon session: 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., PLS 601

Open to all. Hosted by the Department of Cultural Anthropology and the Department of History.

Visit the College of Humanities and Social Sciences' website for more information.

Creating Spaces for Joy: Embracing Our Black/AAPI Identities at CSUF

Tuesday, April 22
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., PLN-130

You're invited to hear stories and create community about the experiences of faculty, staff, and alumni/students embracing multiracial Black-Asian Pacific Islander South Asian American identities at CSUF.

To access the panel by Zoom, please RSVP by Sunday, April 20, https://forms.gle/7CbQinPKrrRA1NPt6. Zoom link will be emailed on April 22.

Open to all. Hosted by the Institute of Black Intellectual Innovation and Department of Asian American Studies.

IBII Linktree

APISAA Heritage Month Reception

Wednesday, April 30
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., PLS 180 Brave Space

To conclude APISAA Heritage Month celebrations, join APARC, ASAM, and AAPIFSA in recognizing and honoring our scholarship recipients.

Open to all. Follow @csufaparc on Instagram