This May, UC San Diego celebrates the 19th annual Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Heritage Month, a vibrant, month-long tribute to APIA identities, cultures, and contributions. Through dynamic events, lectures, and seminars, we honor the profound impact of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans on U.S. history, culture, and innovation. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to join this year’s festivities; explore the full calendar of events on the webpage.
This year’s theme embraces the national Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month theme: “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience.” Through this theme, we honor the vision, perseverance, and enduring contributions of AANHPI leaders whose trailblazing efforts have paved the way for future generations to flourish.
Join us for the annual Kickoff Luncheon & Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Price Center West Ballroom. The event will include live cultural performances, inspiring words from keynote speaker Shyama Kuver—a celebrated writer, poet, and founder of Heart Over Crown, a platform dedicated to storytelling around love, loss, and healing—and the presentation of awards honoring outstanding students, faculty, and staff.
In recognition of this annual event, two hours of administrative leave with pay have been approved so that employees may participate in the yearly celebration activities. Supervisors, upon request, may authorize the use of such leave when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties or patient care.
We thank the members of the planning committee for their work in coordinating these educational and celebratory campus activities. Please join us and our campus community in honoring the legacy and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.
