Spring 2025 Events

All AAARCC activities and events are free (no cost) and open to the campus community. Please check our website and social media regularly for the latest updates.

The Asian American & Asian Resource and Cultural Center (AAARCC) offers a wide range of diverse programming throughout the academic year. Our signature programs include the Speaker Series, Lunch & Learn Series, Student Leadership Summit, and Cultural Celebrations.

We welcome the campus and public community to attend all of our events which are free of charge. These gatherings provide valuable opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to engage in meaningful dialogue and build connections within our vibrant community.

Furthermore, we welcome collaboration and co-sponsorship opportunities with other campus units. If your department or organization is interested in partnering with AAARCC for an event or activity, please feel free to reach out to us via email. We believe that by working together, we can create even more enriching experiences and make a broader impact on campus life.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming events at AAARCC.

AAARCC Spring 2025 Lunch & Learn Series

Thursdays | 12:00-1:00pm

The AAARCC is excited to share our upcoming Spring Lunch & Learn series! Each week, we will feature a different guest speaker sharing their research, teaching, and engagement expertise.

Events marked with * will not take place at the AAARCC and will not have a Zoom livestream option. More information about RSVP and location will be shared in upcoming posts.

Jan 23: Scholarly Potential and Life-Changing Opportunities

Speaker: Leah Criss, Scholarship Development Advisor at National and International Scholarship Office (NISO)

Explore NISO-coordinated scholarships with special attention to the scholarships related to Asia.

Jan 30: Digital Color: Intersection of Art and Science in Color Designs and Expressions

Speaker: Dr. Petronio Bendito, Associate Professor for Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance

Explore the fundamental principle of color vision for art, design, and technology applications through interactive examples and Dr. Bendito's exhibition works.

Feb 6: Gallery Walk: Beijing Opera Exhibit*

Location: West Rueff Galleries

Explore the history and modern performance of Beijing Opera through a guided tour examining artifacts and promotional artwork.

RSVP by Feb 3: bit.ly/LLFeb6

Feb 13: Beet Power!: Gardening as Activism

Speakers: Artist Zach Medler and Dr. Mindy Tan, Lecturer for African American Studies

Explore ways to apply gardening as activism in learning methods on the college campus by taking inspiration from artforms & narratives in our greater community.

Feb 20: Asian and Black History at Purdue Walking Tour*

Speaker: Briggitta August, Director of Student Excellence and Community at College of Liberal Arts

Explore where Black Boilermakers made history at Purdue and how Asian American narratives are woven into the fabric of the Purdue campus.

RSVP by Feb 17: bit.ly/LLTourFeb20

Feb 27: PokéBio: Bridging a Fictional Work & Reality

Speaker: Dr. Ximena Bernal, Professor for Department of Biological Sciences

Discover how students designed unique Pokémon-inspired creations of endangered species of the Midwest & used 3D printing to create a campus-wide interactive game capturing thousands.

March 6: Content & Language Integration in Cambodia's Higher Education: The Best of Both Worlds?

Speaker: Vikrant Chap, Ph.D. Candidate in Literacy and Language Education

This session focuses on instructions in English-medium courses at the World Language Institute at one Cambodian flagship university. It argues for content and language integrated learning (CLIL).

March 13: Finding Home and Purpose: Journey Through Life and Research at Purdue

Speaker: Susmita Ghosh, Ph.D. Candidate in Nutrition Science

Explore the intersections of identity, community, and impactful nutrition research to engage in a meaningful conversation about diversity and resilience.

April 3: The Power of Coming Together

Speaker: Naomi Kwang, Alumna of College of Engineering and Daniels School of Business; Partner (Corporate, M&A) at Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Sharing from learnings, observations and experience during her leadership journey, this session focuses on inspiring the Asian community to come together in the workplace to support and advocate for one another.

IMPORTANT!
COREC PARKING (GENERAL ENTRANCE)
parking-spot-for-Lunar-New-Year-2025
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COREC MEMBERSHIP,
USE PARKING LOT (GENERAL ENTRANCE)
NEAR CIRCLE DRIVE AT BACK OF COREC
COREC MEMBERS CAN ALSO ENTER FROM 2ND FLOOR AND DESCEND TO 1ST FLOOR FOR GOLD & BLACK GYMS

Lunar New Year

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2025 AAARCC Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday February 8th, 2025 from 11am-2pm
CoRec Gold & Black Gyms (355 N Martin Jischke Dr)
The AAARCC hosts an annual Lunar New Year Celebration featuring over 1,300 attendees, 9 performances, and 30 tabling campus partners and organizations. This event is free and open to the public. There is free parking available at the parking lot behind the CoRec building.

A full list of performers and tabling organizations will be coming soon.

Lunar New Year Volunteer

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We wouldn't be able to host a successful Lunar New Year Celebration without the help of volunteers from the community! Please visit the following link for more information about volunteering for the Lunar New Year Celebration and to sign up: bit.ly/LNYvol

There are multiple timeslots and stations to help with. You may sign up for multiple timeslots and change your commitment at any time. Please sign up to volunteer by Friday, January 31, 2025.
Putsata Reang's Ma and Me Book Discussion

Feb 21 | Friday | 2-3pm | AAARCC (915 5th st.)


Free event & open to the campus community. If you need accommodation to participate in this event, please contact (765)496-0488 or email aaarcc@purdue.edu.

Join the AAARCC in celebrating the narratives of Cambodian and QTBIPOC refugees in America from Putsata Reang's memoir Ma and Me. We will explore themes of displacement, familial bonds, cultural and filial duty, coming out and queer love, and resilience through community storytelling activities. Reading the book prior to the event is not required to participate.
Free book copy provided for the first 20 individuals who RSVP and attend the event! RSVP not required to attend. RSVP

putsata_reang_and_book

About the Author: Putsata Reang is an award-winning author and journalist whose writings have appeared in various national and international publications. Putsata was born in Cambodia, and raised in rural Oregon. Her memoir explores the glades of displacement felt by children of refugees, and the overlay of emotional exile that comes with being gay.

Upcoming Event: Putsata Reang is the featured author for PSUB's Books & Coffee event series co-sponsored by Purdue Libraries, LGBTQ Center, and AAARCC. She will be speaking at the PMU North Ballroom on Thursday, Feb 27 from 6:30-8:30pm.

This program has been made possible through a grant from Indiana Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. This event is co-sponsored by AAARCC, LGBTQ Center, Libraries and School of Information Studies, and PSUB.


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Books & Coffee featuring author Putsata Reang

February 27th, 2025 | 6:30-8:30pm | PMU North Ballroom


Enjoy coffee, treats, and great conversations on these thought-provoking reads.
putsata-reang-book
This program has been made possible through a grant from Indiana Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. This event is co-sponsored by AAARCC, LGBTQ Center, Libraries and School of Information Studies, and PSUB.


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TheaterMu-AAARCCMARCH 24

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEEING OURSELVES

MONDAY, March 24, 2025 from 7-8:30pm

Performance & Panel with Theater Mu

Nancy T. Hansen Theatre (Pao Hall 552 W Wood St)

Join Theater Mu as they offer insight into the history of Asian American theater and social justice. Learn how Mu became the largest Asian American theater programming have received national attention for artistic excellence and deep community engagement.

Enjoy live performances from Mu artists as they reflect on how their identities intersect with their personal lives, professional careers, and the Midwest theater landscape.

Conclude with break-out discussions for attendees and Q&A with the panelists centered around the themes of representation and resilience.

Open to the general public. Parking is available after 5:00 pm in the front/back lots of Pao Hall and along Sheetz St.

MARCH 25

CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY

TUESDAY, March 25, 2025 from 10-11am

Brunch with Theater Mu

AAARCC (915 5th St)

Join Theater Mu artists and staff for a social brunch! Chat with Mu about the field of performance, theater, non-profit, and arts administration. Learn more about Asian American theater, including other Theater Mu programs and collaborations.

Light refreshments will be served.

Open to Purdue students, faculty, and staff with RSVP only.

RSVP form: bit.ly/MulMar26

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Spring 2025 Pop-Up Bread Table

Mondays | 11 AM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Available while supplies last

bread-table

Stop by the AAARCC to pick up free bread and pastries!

Offered on a first-come, first-served basis on Mondays from 11 AM while supplies last.

Announcements will be made on @purdueaaarcc social media when the bread is gone for the day.

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Language & Conversation Practice

Tuesdays and Fridays | 3 - 4 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Currently offering practices in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Indonesian

Enhance your language skills and cultural understanding!

Conversation Practice

Want to practice speaking an Asian language but there's no environment? Just stop by the AAARCC and ask for language practice. The volunteers are ready to help you out with conversations, role-play, and dialogues.

Character Writing Practice

Learn how to write characters in different languages to understand their meanings.

Culture Talk

Share your knowledge about your culture, what others should know when you visit a country in Asia or listen to the stories of the Asian American communities in the US!

Movies and Music

Watch iconic movies and dramas from Asia, sing karaoke of your favorite songs while enjoying the snacks at the AAARCC!

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Weekly Grad Students Hours

Thursday | 1:30 - 3:30PM | 2nd Floor, AAARCC (915 5th St)

GRAD TEA

Come network or quiet work with other graduate students while enjoying tea and snacks

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To be announced

Spring 2025 CARE Liaison Hours

Wednesdays | 3 - 4 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

All AAARCC events are free and open to the campus community

Chat about healthy relationships with CARE Advocates while learning a new craft each month:

January 22: Beginner Crochet Stitches

February 26: DIY Bead Fidget Toys

March 26: Mug Decorating

April 16: Grad Cap & Picture Frame Decorating

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Spring 2025 CCO/PPA Liaison Hours

Wednesdays | 1 - 2 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Drop-in, No Appointment Necessary

Stop by for career and pre-professional advising, resume reviews, interview prep, and more!

Shihling-CCO-PPA

Shihling Chui-Dwyer

Career Services Consultant | International Student Specialist

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Review your resume or cover letter, prepare for interviews, and chat about job opportunities.

Available Dates: January 22, February 12, February 26, April 2

chisty-CCO-PPA

Cristy Gosney, MFA

Senior Pre-Professional Advisor

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Chat about programs in healthcare and law. Ask about recommended exams and courses. Review your personal statement or applications.

Available Dates: January 22, February 12

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Spring 2025 CAPS Liaison Hours

Wednesdays | 12 - 1 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

No Appointment Necessary

Stop by for an informal chat to check-in on how your semester is going and learn how CAPS can support your student success!

tongyu-CAPS

Tongyu Zhou

Staff Therapist | M.S.Ed., MPhil.Ed.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hello! My name is Tongyu and I’m a staff therapist at CAPS. I’m excited to offer Liaison Hours at AAARCC, providing support in both English and Mandarin. Whether you need advice, have questions about mental health resources, or just want to talk, I’m here to help.

yujin-CAPS

Yujin Song

Doctoral-level Psychology Intern | M.Ed.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hello! My name is Yujin and I’m pursuing a PhD in Counseling Psychology at Purdue. As a CAPS Liaison for the AAARCC, I’m here to listen and provide expert advice about navigating mental health as a student or just want to talk, I’m here to help.

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Spring 2025 BFT Liaison Hours

Fridays | 3 - 4 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Starting Jan 31, 2025 & No Appointment Necessary

Stop by for free financial counseling and learn about financial literacy, budgeting assistance, and other Boiler Financial Track services

Boiler Financial Track (BFT) is a component of Purdue’s Steps to Leaps initiative, a set of five convenient, self-assessment pillars to help students build lifelong habits that lead to more resiliency, self-confidence, financial literacy, and the growth mindset.

Spring 2025 OWL Liaison Hours

Tuesdays | 1 - 3 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

No Appointment Necessary

Stop by for support to begin a project, review a draft, or improve your organization and writing skills

Starting February 3

Student Consultants to be announced

Contact

915 5th Street (Corner 5th-Waldron)
West Lafayette, IN 47907

Email: aaarcc@purdue.edu 
Phone: 765-496-0488  

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Center Hours

Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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