CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale will be recognizing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with a wide variety of special events, including guest speakers, workshops and more. Although the official nationwide commemoration occurs in May, the university is hosting its celebration in late March and April while more students and faculty are on campus.
“Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an important celebration for the SIU community,” said Renada Greer, executive director of the Student Multicultural Resource Center and Trio Programs. “As with all our heritage celebrations, we want to make sure our diverse students, faculty and staff feel valued and supported. We look forward to learning more about the Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and how we can continue to be supportive.”
Celebration begins March 21
The kickoff event, “Empowering Asian American Pacific Islander Voices: Celebrating Heritage and Advancing Inclusion,” is set for 4-5:30 p.m. March 21 at the Old Main Room at the Student Center. Everyone is welcome, and there is no cost to attend.
Panelists Xiaoyan “May” Bao, Nilanjana Bardhan and Jennifer Butler will share their personal experiences as AAPI professionals and discuss the challenges and opportunities they have encountered during their careers. All three are faculty or staff members at SIU. Bao is the accounting program interim director and associate professor, while Bardhan is professor of communication studies and Butler is director of diversity and inclusion for the College of Business and Analytics. Each has diverse backgrounds and different experiences and their stories include involvement with diversity, inclusion, international peacebuilding and business.
Expanding knowledge
A pair of events are designed to enhance participants’ AAPI knowledge and experience, organizers say.
“Exploring the Asian College Student…
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