Last week HSLIC employees were extremely thrilled to be invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Resource Center (AAPIRC). This ceremony had been long awaited and was an historic event for the UNM campus. What became clear through this beautiful day was that our UNM students were the ones who put the work in and made this valuable and needed Resource Center come to being.

Photograph of Randy Ko speaking at the ribbon cutting for the AAPIRC. Randy Ko is wearing a blue button up shirt with a blazer and has black short hair. He is surrounded by people and at a podium.

Image of Randy Ko speaking at the AAPIRC Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

We know that the contributions of AAPI community members in New Mexico, Albuquerque, and UNM have made a huge impact to our daily lives. We also know that hate crimes against AAPI community members have risen across the country and the discrimination that they have endured has been constant throughout the history of our country. This in conjunction with the need for our AAPI students to find affinity with each other and celebrate the joys of life as well as being able to find support for the hardships they might endure means that this Center is an extremely beneficial addition to our campus.

While it was incredible to see the work and dedication that students put in to make this Center a reality, it was also difficult to hear of their obvious needs having gone unaddressed for too long. We praise the work of students like Randy Ko, UNM Board of Regents Student Regent, MD/PhD Candidate, and Albuquerque native to bring this vision to fruition. However, hearing how much these students have needed affirmation and support in balancing their intersecting identities while navigating their academic careers hits home even more how we have to work to deserve the legacy that they are leaving behind through the establishment of this Resource Center.

If you are looking for information on the AAPIRC be sure to check out their website and their Instagram account. They have many upcoming events, including celebrations for AAPI Heritage Month - including a discussion on May 6th at 2pm with Dr. Eguchi about their book "Asians Loving Asians." You can also register to attend to the first ever AAPI Graduation Ceremony.

Flyer for AAPI Graduation Ceremony with a picture of a graduate in cap and gown and the QR code which is hyperlinked as well

We look forward to the amazing work that we know the AAPIRC will continue to engage with and we are excited to collaborate on and support their mission in any way that we can.