May is Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month, when we honor and celebrate the contributions and rich culture of the AAPI community. Join us for these amazing events as the Southern community supports and stands in solidarity with the AAPI community.

Events

T-shirts and Trivia for AAPI Month

Thursday, April 17th, 2025
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Adanti Student Center, Room 201

Join the Multicultural Center for a trivia event designed to test your true knowledge of Asian American and Pacific Islander history! Participants could win some MCC T-shirts and SCSU swag!
Event Contacts: Gian Melendez, Graduate Intern for the Multicultural Center & Jonah Craggett, University Assistant for the Multicultural Center

AAPI Employee Affinity Meet Up

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025
12:30-1:30pm
Virtual through Teams
Event Contact: Daisy Torres-Baez, Faculty/Staff Diversity Recruitment and Retention Specialist

Connect virtually and share your research on the AAPI experience, identity, or history. This event is open to everyone in the Southern community. Visit the link provided to let us know about your attendance. https://bit.ly/aapi0422

Cultural Fest

Wednesday, April 23, 2024
11:30am – 2:00pm
SCSU Academic Quad
Event Contact: Jay Henderson, Director of the Center for Intercultural Engagement

Come enjoy the annual celebration of global culture as we join in community fellowship! This year’s event will showcase sounds, food, and activities from a variety of cultures. Additionally, attendees will be able to engage in a community mural activity aimed to promote multiple pillars of Southern’s mission of being an intentionally diverse university, committed to social justice and service for the public good!

A Taste of Conn Hall: Chef Inspired Cultural Heritage Menu Thursdays

Thursday, April 17 and 24, and May 1
11:00am - 2:00pm
Connecticut Hall
Event Contact: Wyatt Cannon, Sodexo Marketing Manager for SCSU

Celebrate the essence of Asian American and Pacific Islander culture with delicious cuisines!  Each Thursday during the Southern observation of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, enjoy a specialty lunch menu inspired by AAPI chefs including David Chang and Sheldon Simeon! Lunch price is $13 if you are not on a meal plan. Sponsored by Sodexo Dining Services

Button Bonanza! AAPI Button Making

Tuesday, May 6th, 2025
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Buley Library, Ground Floor - Buley Makerspace
Event Contacts: Jay Henderson, Director of the Center for Intercultural Engagement; Daisy Torres-Baez, Faculty/Staff Diversity Recruitment and Retention Specialist; Diana Hellyar, STEM Librarian; and Kelly King, Graduate Assistant for the Buley Library

Join the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the Buley Library Makerspace; and the Center for Intercultural Engagement for an AAPI themed button making event! Stop by and create a button with artwork from AAPI artists! We will have supplies ready for you, but if you would like to submit an image from one of our favorite AAPI artists, feel free to submit the image through the link below and we will make sure to have it ready to create when you arrive!

Submit Your Artwork

Additional Community Events in and around Connecticut

Surrounded by Ghosts: Hauntings in the Vietnamese Diaspora

Friday, April 11th, 2025
11:00am – 12:15pm
Event Contact: Maggie Nowinski, CT State Manchester

Hans Weiss Newspace Gallery, CT State Community College – Manchester
Join artists Ocean Vuong; Xuan Pham; and SCSU’s own, Thuan Vu, for an artist talk at CT State Community College – Manchester, as they discuss their work related to the Vietnamese Diaspora.

Powwow Dancing Workshop

Friday, April 11th, 2025
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Quinnipiac University’s Recreation & Wellness Center (RWA 256)
Event Contact: Aiyana Baker, Quinnipiac University

Join QU for an educational workshop that will bring together the arts, cultural awareness, and history of Powwow dancing! Dinner from Eli’s on Whitney will be served for free! There will also be an opportunity to win Indigenous-made jewelry and other prizes!

Quinnipiac University’s 1st Annual Powwow

Sunday, April 13th, 2025
11:00am – 5:00pm
Quinnipiac University: 275 Mount Carmel Ave., Hamden, CT 06518
Event Contact: Aiyana Baker, Quinnipiac University

Join Quinnipiac University’s Indigenous Student Union for the 1st ever intertribal gathering at QU featuring performances, social dances, presentations, and the first Indigenous Student Union Graduation Ceremony! This event is Free and open to the public. Attendees will experience traditional dancing, drumming, food, and more! Additionally, attendees can purchase jewelry, artwork, and crafts from over 15 Indigenous vendors!