Sacramento State hosted an “AANHPI Excellence Pop-Up” on September 23 to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander cultures. The event aimed to foster community among students and featured food, music, a photo booth, and vibrant dance performances.
Andrew Yang, director of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Center, emphasized the significance of such events in connecting students, especially freshmen. Vu Tran, director of Asian Pacific Promoting Educational Excellence (APPEX), noted that students expressed a need for greater involvement and a sense of belonging on campus.
The Campus Activities Response Team (CART) is actively addressing feedback from students to enhance engagement initiatives. Both Yang and Tran highlighted the importance of community-building efforts within the large student body of over 30,000.
In collaboration with APIDA, APPEX, the Southwest Asian & North African Student Resource Center, and the Veterans Success Student Resource Center, the event is part of a series aimed at promoting cultural understanding. Future events will celebrate other cultures, including Black, Latine, and Native American excellence.
Graduate intern Aurungzaib Shahzada spoke about creating a vibrant campus environment for new students. Attendees enjoyed dancing, food, and cultural performances, showcasing a spirit of joy and community connection. APIDA Coordinator Cyan Vang praised the talented student performers, acknowledging the cultural importance of such events in fostering belonging and identity.
