Celebrations are currently underway at New Mexico State University to honor the Arab American, Asian American, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities. The university's Asian and Pacific Islander Program (APIP) has been actively involved in commemorating these heritage months.
According to Sophia Sangwanthong, director of APIP, celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of API/AAPI individuals is crucial. She stated, "It is so important to celebrate and honor the accomplishments, culture, and contributions of our API/AAPI students, faculty, and staff to NMSU."
APIP has organized various events to mark Arab American Heritage Month in April and will continue with activities in May to celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Audrey Dijeau, a Ph.D. student and graduate assistant for APIP, expressed the significance of these events, mentioning, "Our AANHPI Heritage Month community picnic is the start of a new annual tradition for the NMSU community."
The upcoming events include a community picnic on May 1, a graduation ceremony on May 3 to honor graduating API/AAPI students, and a panel discussion on May 6 where students, faculty, and staff will share their experiences and successes at NMSU.
Pavani Kolla, a graduate assistant for APIP, emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive environment for the API community, stating, "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."
Ala Alhalholy, president-elect of the Associated Students of NMSU, highlighted the significance of inclusivity within the student government, saying, "It's crucial to prioritize inclusivity within our student government to drive progress."
APIP is also engaging in educational activities by featuring a month of Arab identities on Instagram and providing resources for students and faculty interested in learning more about the culture and heritage of these communities.
In conclusion, the NMSU community is coming together to celebrate diversity and foster cross-cultural connections through these events dedicated to the Arab American, Asian American, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities.
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