A Message from the Director

Welcome to the new academic year! First, I want to acknowledge the incredible work of so many students, alumni, staff, and faculty who help make the program such a success. I want to especially thank the students and staff of APIMEDA Programs and Services, Asian & Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APSA), and Asians & Pacific Islanders for the Arts and Humanities (APIAH) for their ongoing support and collaboration. As we begin another year, all of you – AAPI minors, prospective minors, allies, and supporters – will be a part of the tradition of student activism and community building that makes this program special. I’m excited to build together with you all!

There is indeed much work for us to do this year. We continue to live in a moment of prolonged crises impacting our communities – the global pandemic, the housing crisis, the climate emergency, unending wars at home and abroad. Through the AAPI Studies Program, we will cultivate a space of collective learning toward undoing the systemic harm. In the weeks and months ahead, please stay tuned to learn about our events and programs.

Virtual or otherwise, I am also committed to creating a community that is attentive to our well-being and that prioritizes your mental and physical health and collective care. As director, I am here as a resource and support. I welcome you to meet with me virtually or in-person, one-on-one or as a group, to share your concerns, questions, and ideas for how the program can best serve you. Please don’t hesitate to email me at pahn@ucsd.edu. This is a space for you, and I look forward to working with you all this year.

In community, 

Patty Ahn

AAPI Program Director