APIDA Cultural Center

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates the histories, identities, and collective accomplishments of the APIDA diaspora. Passed in congress in 1992, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is observed in May to commemorate the first immigrants from Japan on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. At the APIDA Cultural Center, we use the term “APIDA Heritage Month” to recognize the unique heritage of Asian American communities while honoring our shared history.

According to DePaul University’s 2022 Enrollment Summary APIDA students account for nearly 11% of the University’s total enrollment. The APIDA Cultural Center celebrates our growing APIDA community, and we are dedicated to continue fostering an inclusive campus by raising understanding and increasing visibility of the unique cultures, heritages, and histories of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American diaspora.

Find APIDA Heritage Month events here.

The Student Employee Engagement Program was created to provide on-the-job training and learning for APIDA Cultural Center student staff. By participating in SEEP, student staff receive intentional programming that develops transferrable career skills and access to resources and networks beyond the immediate campus. Within the program, students cultivate critical thinking, interpersonal development, self-authorship, and other fundamental skills.

In collaboration with the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity, the Grace Lee Boggs Heritage Breakfast is held every May in honor of APIDA Heritage Month. The breakfast brings together members of the DePaul faculty, staff and alumni community, as well as DePaul community partners to celebrate activists for social justice within the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. This event educates participants about relevant contemporary issues impacting the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and aims to cultivate collaborative opportunities to serve as allies for social justice.

Co-hosted with ELEVATE, DePaul’s Asian/Asian American faculty & staff professional community, this event recognizes the academic achievements of DePaul University’s Asian, Pacific Islanders and Desi American undergraduate and graduate students and their families and allies.

In collaboration with the Office of Student Involvement, Festival of Lights is a signature Winter Quarter event that celebrates Lunar New Year and APIDA cultures. The program includes performances from APIDA DePaul students and community organizations as well as cultural games hosted by APIDA student organizations. This event welcomes the DePaul community to learn about and enjoy various aspects of APIDA cultures from foods to games to performances.