The official ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house of the Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center (AAPIRC) kicked off Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the University of New Mexico.
The "AAPIRC is a space that aims to foster belonging for AAPI students. Some of our services include advisement, a study space, a meeting space for student organizations, and an annual graduation for AAPI students. We will also host a variety of cultural and educational events,” said Farah Nousheen, who was recently named associate director of AAPIRC.
The opening ribbon cutting commemorating the opening of the Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center on April 28.
“We are so excited to celebrate the AAPIRC’s establishment at UNM,” said Farah Nousheen.
“Like other ethnic cultural centers, AAPIRC is an initiative led by students,” said Nousheen. “We must always acknowledge and remember that students and student organizations have put so much of their time and effort into bringing their need to the UNM administration.
The Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center was established during the 2021-2022 academic year. A student-led initiative helped to create a home and resource center for students of AAPI heritage during their studies at UNM. AAPIRC will provide culturally relevant programs and academic support that will cultivate AAPI student leaders within the UNM campus community.
Nousheen provides holistic support in areas such as navigating UNM, scheduling classes, identifying scholarship opportunities, and getting involved in the AAPI community on campus.
“Additionally, we are planning programs in collaboration with other student centers and departments on campus as well as Albuquerque community organizations. It is important to create opportunities for mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being for students. We plan to provide Asian-rooted wellness practices such as yoga, meditation, and qi gong led by AAPI instructors.”
Several speakers highlighted the event including UNM President Garnett S. Stokes, Student Regent Randy Ko, Associate Professor of Communications Shinsuke Eguchi and State Representative Kay Bounkeua, New Mexico’s first Asian American State Representative. Farah Nousheen, who was recently named associate director of AAPIRC, will emcee the event. Founding students, Emma Hotz, Jacob Olaguir, and Irene Sananoue will cut the ribbon
The center is modeled to serve a similar purpose to current existing centers including American Indian Student Services, African American Student Services, El Centro de la Raza, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center, and Veterans Military Resource Center. The center came to fruition after students formally requested funds from the Student Fee Review Board (SFRB) last year.
Students identifying Asian or Asian American make up about 4.1% of the UNM population, according to the university's website. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders make up 0.207% of the student body.
The "AAPIRC is a space that aims to foster belonging for AAPI students. Some of our services include advisement, a study space, a meeting space for student organizations, and an annual graduation for AAPI students. We will also host a variety of cultural and educational events,” said Farah Nousheen, who was recently named associate director of AAPIRC.
The opening ribbon cutting commemorating the opening of the Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center on April 28.
“We are so excited to celebrate the AAPIRC’s establishment at UNM,” said Farah Nousheen.
“Like other ethnic cultural centers, AAPIRC is an initiative led by students,” said Nousheen. “We must always acknowledge and remember that students and student organizations have put so much of their time and effort into bringing their need to the UNM administration.
The Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center was established during the 2021-2022 academic year. A student-led initiative helped to create a home and resource center for students of AAPI heritage during their studies at UNM. AAPIRC will provide culturally relevant programs and academic support that will cultivate AAPI student leaders within the UNM campus community.
Nousheen provides holistic support in areas such as navigating UNM, scheduling classes, identifying scholarship opportunities, and getting involved in the AAPI community on campus.
“Additionally, we are planning programs in collaboration with other student centers and departments on campus as well as Albuquerque community organizations. It is important to create opportunities for mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being for students. We plan to provide Asian-rooted wellness practices such as yoga, meditation, and qi gong led by AAPI instructors.”
Several speakers highlighted the event including UNM President Garnett S. Stokes, Student Regent Randy Ko, Associate Professor of Communications Shinsuke Eguchi and State Representative Kay Bounkeua, New Mexico’s first Asian American State Representative. Farah Nousheen, who was recently named associate director of AAPIRC, will emcee the event. Founding students, Emma Hotz, Jacob Olaguir, and Irene Sananoue will cut the ribbon
The center is modeled to serve a similar purpose to current existing centers including American Indian Student Services, African American Student Services, El Centro de la Raza, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center, and Veterans Military Resource Center. The center came to fruition after students formally requested funds from the Student Fee Review Board (SFRB) last year.
Students identifying Asian or Asian American make up about 4.1% of the UNM population, according to the university's website. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders make up 0.207% of the student body.
The rest of the student population, both undergraduate and graduate, is 44% Hispanic or Latino, 33.8% White, 5.15% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3.32% Two or More Races, and 2.35% Black or African American.
"It's so important for students, of any identity, to have a place of belonging and a system of support that's structured," said Melanie Nguyen, development coordinator at the Asian Business Center.
"It's so important for students, of any identity, to have a place of belonging and a system of support that's structured," said Melanie Nguyen, development coordinator at the Asian Business Center.
"I am always amazed by the sacrifices students of color make for their communities while pursuing their education and on top of all their other responsibilities," said Nousheen. "At key historic moments, students of color often become leaders of institutional change in universities. AAPIRC is being established during a global pandemic that has revealed anti-Asian racism here in New Mexico as well as in other parts of the United States. AAPIRC will help all of us contend with that.”
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