As Cal State Fullerton prepares to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Asian Pacific American Resource Center, faculty and staff emphasize that the center’s vision took root more than 20 years ago.
Jennifer A. Yee, associate professor of Asian American studies, will deliver a keynote address on “Radical Dreams Realized, Visions of Community to Come” during the center’s Thursday, Dec. 6, anniversary celebration from 5:30-8 p.m. in the Titan Student Union’s Portola Pavilion.
“APARC was originally conceived as a community resource center because we know our strength lies in working together, supporting one another, and seeking peace and social justice for all,” said Yee. “Today, APARC serves as a community hub connecting students, faculty, staff and community partners through advocacy, programming and community-building.
“We’re celebrating not only APARC’s beautiful space, but also its representation and manifestation of our community values and ideals.”
Yee, who helped author APARC’s original space proposal and chaired the committee that composed its founding mission and vision statement, offered a brief history of the resource center:
- Mid-1990s: Son Kim Vo of the Intercultural Development Center and Howard Wang of the Division of Student Affairs envisioned a resource center to serve Asian Pacific American students and house archival materials at CSUF.
- 1996: The Asian American studies academic program was established at CSUF — a critical turning point in APARC’s formation.
- 2006: CSUF hosted a national conference on “Crossroads: Pathways to Successful Asian and Pacific Islander Resource Centers,” chaired by Eric Reyes, associate professor of Asian American studies, and Yen Ling Shek, director of the Multicultural Leadership Center.
- 2008: The Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Resource Center hosted its first Open House in University Hall.
- 2008-10: AAPICRC’s Planning Committee penned the resource center’s mission and vision statement.
- 2011-12: AAPICRC simplified its name to Asian Pacific American Resource Center.
- 2014: APARC became part of CSUF’s Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers, transitioning from the division of Academic Affairs to Student Affairs.
- 2015: APARC hosted its first Titan Night Market, featuring food, games and cultural performances.
- 2017: APARC hired its first permanent coordinator, Jacob Chacko.
- 2018: Alongside all of CSUF’s Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers, APARC relocated from University Hall to the Pollak Library.
“One of APARC’s strengths is its roots and history of partnering with our Asian American Studies Department and Asian American Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association to build bridges between academic and student affairs,” said Chacko.
“APARC’s vision of community to come are endless. We genuinely believe in creating an inclusive environment for the dynamic Asian Pacific Islander Desi American community here at CSUF, and we look forward to see the ways in which the community grows.”