Asian & Pacific Islander Resource Center

Mission Statement

Under the Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs, the Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Resource Center established at the University of California, Merced will aim to promote and provide a safe space for progressive dialogue to manifest for students in the Asian & Pacific Islander diaspora. The API Cultural Resource Center aims to increase retention of UCM Scholars identifying in the API diaspora by providing a support system to navigate academia and the professional world while empowering scholars in their intersectional identity. Through the work accomplished at this center, we will preserve, uplift, and showcase the history and voices of the Asian & Pacific Islander communities.

Center Objectives

To promote and provide a safe space for students that identify as Asian & Pacific Islander to find representation and resources that speak to their intersectional identities
The Center will serve as a bridge to students that seek out academic, professional, and personal support with API Mentors and Peers
To encourage students to participate in networking and career opportunities with API Leaders in their fields
Offer scholarships, internships, and volunteer opportunities that cater to the API population
Cultivate, educate, preserve, and celebrate the hxstry of Asian & Pacific Islanders that contributed to societal progression

Opportunities

As this Center continues to experience developmental changes, we would love to include the various Asian & Pacific Islander student voices that we have at our UC Merced campus. If you happen to be interested in getting involved within the Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs and the Asian & Pacific Islander Resource Center, please refer to the following information to learn more on how you can be a change agent on this campus!

Get Involved

Our Team welcomes all Asian & Pacific Islander Folx to get involved with our Center!

If you are interested in volunteering or exploring options for you to get involved with our center, please contact the Assistant Director of the Office of Social Justice Initatives and Identity Programs, Destany Charles at destanycharles@ucmerced.edu

Mentorship Program

The Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Resource Center envisions a space that all API identities can find and explore their personal, academic, and professional curiosities with the guidance of mentors. We encourage all professional backgrounds; UC Merced Staff, Faculty, and Alumni to participate in the Mentorship program this center aims to offer. Through your involvement, students will have a support system to aid their own college journey. Mentors that represent their own identities and network with folx that have found successes in their fields and underwent the college experience.