Celebrations are currently underway to recognize Arab American, Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities at New Mexico State University.
NMSU’s Asian and Pacific Islander Program has commemorated Arab American Heritage Month throughout April and will host additional activities in May to celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It is the second consecutive year APIP has hosted events to mark AANHPI Heritage Month.
“It is so important to celebrate and honor the accomplishments, culture and contributions of our API/AAPI students, faculty and staff to NMSU – and that is exactly what we did for Arab American Heritage Month and what we’re doing for AANHPI Heritage Month,” said Sophia Sangwanthong, director of APIP.
APIP will host a community picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, outside Corbett Center Student Union along the International Mall. Students are encouraged to bring their lunch and food from their cultures to share with others. APIP will provide free snacks and tea. The picnic is open to all Aggies.
“Our AANHPI Heritage Month community picnic is the start of a new annual tradition for the NMSU community, where students, faculty and staff can share a part of their cultures with each other through food,” Audrey Dijeau, a Ph.D. student in astronomy and graduate assistant for APIP. “We hope that through this event, we can showcase the diversity of the NMSU community, and cross-cultural connections can be formed.”
On Friday, May 3, APIP will host a graduation ceremony at 12:30 p.m. outside Garcia Center to honor the successes and contributions of graduating API/AAPI students at NMSU.
The group will then host an AANHPI Heritage Month panel at 3 p.m. Monday, May 6, in Corbett Center Student Union’s Senate Gallery on the third floor. The panel will include students, faculty and staff from APIP who will discuss their experiences, successes and barriers at NMSU. The discussion is open to all Aggies, and APIP encourages all faculty and staff to attend this unique meeting to learn more about student needs.
“Working in the APIP office has been an enriching experience, as it allows me to actively contribute to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for our API community,” said Pavani Kolla, an international student pursuing a master’s degree in data analytics and graduate assistant for APIP. “Our events during AANHPI Heritage Month are a testament to this commitment, offering API students not only opportunities for celebration but also avenues for personal and collective growth.”
APIP is currently featuring a month of education on Arab identities on Instagram at NMSU_API. Students and faculty may also visit the APIP office in Garcia Center, Room 133, to learn more about available resources or email API_Support@nmsu.edu.
“It’s important to recognize April as Arab American Heritage Month and May as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I am deeply honored to serve as the first Muslim Arab president of this student body. It’s crucial to prioritize inclusivity within our student government to drive progress,” said Ala Alhalholy, president-elect of the Associated Students of NMSU.
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Cutline 1: New Mexico State University’s Asian and Pacific Islander Program will host a community picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, to celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month. (Courtesy)
Cutline 2: New Mexico State University’s Asian and Pacific Islander Program will host a panel discussion for Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month at 3 p.m. Monday, May 6, in Corbett Center Student Union’s Senate Gallery. (Courtesy)