Spring 2025 Events
In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University’s educational programs, services and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or status as a veteran. See Purdue's Nondiscrimination Policy Statement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance at vpec@purdue.edu or 765-494-5830.
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
View Lunch & Learn Series FlyerThe 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)
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
📥 Download
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.
📥 Download
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
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
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.
View Flyer
Stories Hold the Cure: Memoir Writing Workshop with Putsata Reang
Feb 27, 2025 | Thurs | 3-4:30pm | AAARCC (915 5th St)
Join Putsata Reang on Thursday, February 27, from 3-4:30pm at the AAARCC (915 5th St) to practice writing family stories and personal narratives to start your own memoir! RSVP is encouraged but not required to attend:
RSVP 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. Workshop Description We all have wounds that resist healing, injuries incurred in moments when we are misunderstood, unseen, unheard, and worse, harmed. These wounds are what former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Tretheway calls the "existential wound" — the ones that don't seem to ever heal — and they can trap us into a single narrative of being unworthy, unlovable, irredeemable. We spend so much of our lives tending to the wounds of others, but what if we found the courage to turn inward and look at the places inside of us that throb? What if we summoned the vulnerability to tell not only our doctors where it hurts, but also tell our friends and family, our co-workers and our community? What if we started to tell the stories of our scars and author a different narrative of our lives? We all have scars that start as wounds that sometimes struggle to heal. Stories hold the cure.About Putsata Reang
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 Events
Putsata is the featured author for PSUB's Books & Coffee event series and will speak at the PMU North Ballroom on Thursday, Feb 27 from 6:30-8:30pm.
This workshop is funded by the Department of English. Putsata's visit is supported by the Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center, Department of English, LGBTQ Center, Libraries & School of Information Studies, and Purdue Student Union Board. This program has been made possible through a grant from Indiana Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
View Flyer
February 27th, 2025 | 6:30-8:30pm | PMU North Ballroom
Enjoy coffee, treats, and great conversations on these thought-provoking reads.
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.
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.
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
View Flyer
Co-sponsored by:
Purdue Asian Alumni Network (PAAN) Fall 2025 Mentorship Program Pizza Party Callout
March 26, 2025 | Wednesday | 12-1pm at AAARCC (915 5th Street)
Stop by this information session to meet Almira (Sugar) Yllana from the Purdue for Life Foundation and learn more about the Purdue Asian Alumni Network (PAAN) mentorship program. This is a free event open to all current Purdue students. Food will be provided to the first 50 attendee.
About PAAN Mentorship Program:
For current Purdue students interested in refining their career path with a Boilermaker mentor:
* Connect with experienced Purdue alumni professionals* Gain valuable insight and guidance
* Limited spots availableundefinedundefined
To view all Alumni Affinity Networks and the Fall 2025 Mentoring Program Application, please visit:
This event is sponsored by Purdue for Life.Nowruz Spring 2025 Celebration
Friday, March 28, 2025 and Tuesday, April 1, 2025| 3-5 PM | AAARCC (915 5th Street)
Celebrate and learn about Nowruz (New Year) through poetry writing, canvas painting, and the haftseen table. This is a free event open to the campus community.
This event is generously supported by the Sarmadi-Mohammadi family. This event is partially funded by SFAB.
Navigating Uncertainties During the Job Search
Monday, March 31, 2025
12-1:30pm
MP2 in the Black Cultural Center (1100 3rd St)
Please join the Cultural Centers and Center for Career Opportunities for a workshop on how non-US Citizens can manage the uncertainties in career planning and professional development. CCO specialists will share resources for: job searching (US and globally), strategic marketing of your skills and experiences, building networks and support groups.
RSVP is encouraged for limited seating but not required to attend.
RSVP
Food will be provided. All persons have equal access to Purdue University's education programs, services, and activities.
InspirAsian: AAARCC Graduation & ASUB Gala
May 3, 2025 | Saturday | 5:00-8:00PM | CoRec Gold & Black Gyms (355 N Martin Jischke Dr)
This event is open to all undergraduate and graduate students graduating in Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025. Please RSVP by March 31 using this button
Please note that stoles will only be provided for registrants who attend the event in person.
Dress code is celebratory and formal attire. Doors open at 4:30pm and celebration will start promptly at 5:00pm. Light refreshments will be served. This event will feature performances from student organizations. Follow @purdueasub & @purdueaaarcc on social media for details about general admission and performances.
This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, AAARCC, and Asian Student Union Board.
Spring 2025 Pop-Up Bread Table
Mondays | 11 AM | AAARCC (915 5th St)
Available while supplies last
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.
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!
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
View Flyer
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
Meet Your Advocate
Tiffany Botsford-Samuels
Assistant Director, Center for Advocacy, Response, & Education (CARE)
I have worked at Purdue since 2022. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Indiana and practiced mental health therapy before coming to Purdue. I completed my bachelor's in psychology from Indiana University-Kokomo and my master's in Clinical and Community Mental Health from Western Illinois University. I am a proud daughter, sister, wife, and cat-mom. I love reading, crafting, and making people laugh.
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 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
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
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 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 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.
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
What can Purdue Owl Help you with? Thousands of Purdue students, especially the good writers, come to the OWL because they know it's useful to talk about what they're writing and to get feedback. Writers bring in papers from courses in biology, engineering, political science, technology, communications, and job applications, and many other courses besides English. They also come in to work on resumes and job applications, internship and co-op reports, or any other writing task they're working on, including papers for graduate seminars. We help Purdue students, faculty, staff, and even those learning English as a second language.
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