Spring 2026 Events
AAARCC's Programming based on the Student Life Programmatic Framework
AAARCC's Programming Framework
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Speaker series, Lunch & Learn, Book discussions, volunteer program, leadership retreat, end-of-year gala, APA Heritage Month, scholarly excellence.
Leadership, Engagement, and Community
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Performing arts groups, Cultural Festivals, Fall Festival, Lunar New Year, Partnerships, language Practice, Artist in Residence, Art Initiatives.
Arts and Cultures
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Well-being and career Liaisons, Pop-up Pantry, Cultural Roots Garden, De-stress Programming.
Well-being
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For more detailed information, please refer to:
Student Life Programmatic FrameworkLunch & Learn Series
Lunch & Learn Series
Select Thursdays | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Theme: “Self/Community Rooted and Made: Entrepreneurship and Cultural Connections.”
The AAARCC hosts a Lunch and Learn guest speaker series each semester on select Thursdays from 12pm-1pm at the AAARCC (915 5th St.) or a campus-specific location (listed for each session).
Each Lunch and Learn features faculty, staff, and students from a variety of disciplines sharing their research or expertise. We believe each Lunch and Learn session poses a valuable opportunity for students to learn from experts and engage in meaningful discussions.
In Spring 2026, the AAARCC will highlight the theme “Self/Community Rooted and Made: Entrepreneurship and Cultural Connections.” Our programs will center on leadership and engagement, arts and cultures, and well-being, exploring the intersections of self, community, business, and entrepreneurship. We will reflect on the idea of being “self-made” by examining how entrepreneurial practices and business ventures both foster and challenge community ties and cultural connections.
Doors open at 11:50am and the presentation starts at 12pm. This is a hybrid event. In-person seating is limited to the first 50 attendees.
Jan 29: Gillman Scholarship, NISO
Gillman Scholarship: Scholarly Potential and Life Changing Opportunities
Thursday, Jan 29 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St
Explore NISO-coordinated scholarships with special attention to the scholarships related to Asia. Hear from recent Gillman Program recipients about their experiences studying abroad in Singapore and Taiwan.
Guest Speakers:
The National and International Scholarship Office (NISO) at Purdue works with students to develop their scholarly potential and pursue life-changing, career-building experiences by guiding motivated students with world-changing ideas through the process of applying for 14 scholarships in NISO’s portfolio, most of which require campus nomination through the office.
Brogan Holt is a junior in Integrated Business and Engineering. In May 2025, Brogan studied Business Mandarin Chinese and global teamwork from the perspective of East Asian corporate culture at National Taiwan Normal University through the Gilman Scholarship Program.
Kendall Lutz is a senior in Mechanical Engineering. In May 2025, Kendall studied Bioinspired Materials and Structures in Singapore through the Gilman Scholarship Program.
Leah Criss is the Scholar Development Advisor for NISO. As a former Fulbright Taiwan English Teaching Assistant, Leah is passionate about connecting students to opportunities in Asia.
Co-sponsors: This Lunch & Learn session is generously co-sponsored by the National and International Scholarships Office.
See FlyerFeb 05: TBA
Feb 12: TBA
Feb 19: TBA
Feb 26: TBA
Mar 05: TBA
Mar 12: Healing Beyond the Therapy Room
Healing Beyond the Therapy Room: Stories, Snacks, and Psychological Health
Thursday, Mar 12 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St
Reflect on how food, storytelling, and psychology intersect to support psychological health, challenge stigma, and build connection across cultures.
Speaker:
Mohamad A. Almakky, MA, MEd
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Intern, Purdue CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services)
Mohamad is pursuing his doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of Indianapolis. He is a lecturer, life coach, and founder of nBakes granola bars. His interest in psychology began at age 12 and grew through years of teaching and clinical trauma-focused work. A devoted coffee enthusiast, he hopes to open a community-centered coffee chain in Saudi Arabia. His YouTube vlogs reflect his experience as an international student in the U.S., using storytelling to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about psychological health.
See FlyerMar 26: TBA
Apr 02: TBA
Apr 09: TBA
Celebrations & Speaker Series
Welcome (Back) Open House
Monday | January 12 | 8am-5pm | AAARCC (915 5th St.)
Ease (back) into the first day of classes and share your plans for the Spring 2026 semester Enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, tea, and snacks while touring the AAARCC facilities with AAARCC staff and volunteers.
Megha Anwer: Screening Precarity, TBA
Thursday| TBA | AAARCC (915 5th St)
Discussion with Dr. Megha Anwer and her book Screening Precarity: Hindi Cinema and Neoliberal Crisis in Twenty-First Century India. More details to be announced.
More details to be announced
9th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday, February 28 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: CoRec Gold and Black Gyms (335 N Martin Jischke Dr)
Join the Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center (AAARCC) for our 9th annual Lunar New Year Celebration! This event is free and open to all Boilermakers.
Celebrate arts, cultural festivals, and community during the Year of the Fire Horse! Learn about Lunar New Year and spring-month festivals, featuring performances and activity tables hosted by student organizations and campus units.
Please help us broaden the impact of the Lunar New Year Celebration by sharing the event, activity table, and volunteer opportunities with your students. We look forward to collaborating and learning with you at the celebration!
About Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year, observed by over 2 billion people around the world, is a 15-day celebration marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar.
The AAARCC hosts one of the largest Lunar New Year events in Indiana for all students to engage in their unique backgrounds, learn with peers about the ways different cultures express traditions, celebrate art and community, and communicate across differences.
Call for Activity Tables (Register by Jan 16)
Host an Activity Table
We encourage registered student organizations and campus units from the Purdue West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses to host an activity table! The activity tables showcase historical and modern Lunar New Year and spring-month festivities through exchanging crafts, games, languages, and traditions with other students.
The AAARCC will collaborate with participating organizations to plan activity tables that include an activity, giveaway, and reflection component.
Deadline: Friday, January 16
Call for Volunteers (Sign up by Feb 1)
Join the Celebration Team
We wouldn't be able to host a successful Lunar New Year Celebration without the help of student volunteers! This is a great opportunity for students to connect with peers and positively impact the Boilermaker community.
Student volunteers will develop skills in photography, customer service, event management, facilitating reflections, and more. All volunteers will undergo an onboarding process, so prior experience is not required.
Faculty Note: Please share this opportunity with students that you interact with or classes that you teach. If you would like to assign this volunteer opportunity as part of your class, please email us at aaarcc@purdue.edu.
Deadline: Sunday, February 1
Artist in Residence
Week of Events
Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3
About the Artist in Residence Program
The AAARCC hosts an artist and scholar in residence each semester to highlight national and local experts in weaving narratives, leading communities, and engaging future generations. More details to be announced
Keynote, April TBA
More details to be announced.
Liason Hours Series
On-Campus Writing Lab (OWL)
Tuesdays | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St.)
Stop by for support from the On-Campus Writing Lab to begin a project, review a draft, or improve your organization and writing skills!
Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are encouraged: owl.purdue.edu
See FlyerHow does Purdue OWL help students?
Thousands of Purdue students come to the OWL because they know it's useful to get feedback. Writers bring in papers from biology, engineering, technology, and more. We also assist with resumes, job applications, internship reports, and papers for graduate seminars. We help students, faculty, staff, and ESL learners alike.
Meet the Purdue OWL Consultants:
Jacqueline Borchert
Pronouns: she/her | Professional Writing Specialist
Jacqueline comes from the world of education, where she has taught at every level: preschool, middle school, and English Language Learner. Her current research focuses on multiracial identity, scholar activism, and respectability politics. She has two pups named Eevee and Vulpix (Pixie). In her free time, she enjoys reading science fiction, social justice nonfiction, and romantasy, as well as watching or playing D&D.
Other writing consultants to be announced.
CCO & Pre-Professional Advising
Select Tuesdays | AAARCC (915 5th St.)
Get expert guidance on your career path, resume, and professional school applications right here at the AAARCC.
See General FlyerStop by to review your resume or cover letter, prepare for interviews, and chat about job opportunities.
Spring Dates: January 20, February 3, February 17, March 10, March 31
Shihling Chui-Dwyer
Career Services Consultant and International Student Specialist
Shihling provides specialized support for all students, with particular expertise in helping international students navigate the U.S. job market and career planning process.
Chat about programs in healthcare and law, ask about recommended exams and courses, and discuss strategies for personal statements.
Spring Dates: January 20, February 17, March 31
Cristy Gosney
Senior Pre-Professional Advisor
Cristy helps students navigate the complex journey to professional schools in law and healthcare, offering strategic advice on applications and professional readiness.
Tuesday, April 7, 2025 | 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Location: Young Hall Lobby (155 S Grant Street)
Join the AAARCC on a tour of the CCO and PPA offices to learn about their services, including the Career Closet. Free and open to all Boilermakers.
- 1:45 PM: Meet at the lobby of Young Hall
- 1:50-2:10 PM: Tour of CCO/PPA Office Area and Career Closet
- 2:10-2:20 PM: Center for Career Opportunities Overview
- 2:20-2:35 PM: Pre-Professional Advising Overview
- 2:35-2:45 PM: Q&A
Please RSVP by Monday, March 30th at 5:00 PM.
RSVP for Tour View Tour FlyerCAPS Liaison Hour & Workshops
Wednesdays | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St.)
Stop by for an informal chat to check in on how your semester is going and learn how Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) can support your student success! No prior appointment is necessary.
See FlyerVisit the AAARCC on Wednesdays to chat with our dedicated CAPS Liaisons. They provide support in multiple languages and are here to help you navigate mental health resources.
Tongyu Zhou (M.S.Ed., MPhil.Ed.)
Pronouns: she/her | Languages: English & Mandarin
Hello! 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. Additionally, I love trying new recipes, exploring restaurants, traveling, hiking, and doing jigsaw puzzles. Feel free to stop by – I'm here to support you!
Mohamad “Mo” Almakky (M.A., M.Ed.)
Pronouns: he/him | Languages: English & Arabic
Peace! My name is Mohamad from Saudi Arabia and I'm a doctoral psychology intern at CAPS! I'm thrilled to offer Liaison Hours at AAARCC, providing support in English and Arabic. I enjoy connecting with students, whether you need support, have questions about mental health resources, or just want to chat. A little about me: I love coffee (dreaming of opening my own shop!), traveling (visited all 50 U.S. states), vlogging on YouTube, baking, and exploring new places. Feel free to stop by – I'm here for you!
More information about CAPS workshops to be announced.
CARE at the AAARCC
Select Wednesdays | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
AAARCC (915 5th St.)
Chat about healthy relationships with your CARE Advocate while learning a new craft each month!
View Full Program FlyerMeet our CARE Advocate Lily to learn about healthy relationships and how to make shrinky dink keychains.
Event FlyerMeet our CARE Advocate Lily to learn about healthy relationships and Lunar New Year themed paper cutting and folding crafts.
Event FlyerMeet our CARE Advocate Lily to learn about healthy relationships and paint a tote bag.
Event FlyerMeet our CARE Advocate Lily to learn about healthy relationships and create designs with fuse beads.
Event FlyerMeet our CARE Advocate Lily to learn about healthy relationships and color your own DIY puzzle or fill in a diamond painting bookmark.
Event FlyerMeet Your Advocate: Lily Peck
Lily Peck is the Prevention Programming Specialist at the Center for Advocacy, Response, & Education (CARE). Lily grew up in Shelbyville, IN and is a first-generation Boilermaker. She graduated in 2023 with bachelor’s degrees in both Genetics and Classical Studies, as well as a minor in Chemistry. In 2025, she earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.
Lily is driven by a passion for continuous growth, lifelong learning, and promoting equity in health. In her free time, Lily enjoys any and all outdoor adventures, reading, music, traveling, and is a proud cat mom.
Routine Student Organization Events
GRAD TEA: Weekly Grad Students Hours
TBA | 2:00-3:00PM | 2nd Floor, AAARCC (915 5th St)Come network or quietly work with other graduate students while enjoying tea and snacks!
Hosted by: Asian American and Asian Graduate Student Association (AAAGraSA)
Routine AAARCC Initiatives
Language and Conversation Practice
Wednesdays & Fridays | 3-4pm | AAARCC (915 5th St)
915 5th Street (Click to see the map)
All Levels Welcome: Whether you’re a native speaker, language learner, or beginner, this program is open to all Boilermakers. No experience required!
Languages offered: Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese
Program Activities
- Speaking: Improve communication skills through role play in common dialogues, situations, and scenarios
- Writing: Practice writing characters, learn vocabulary, and pronunciation of Asian languages
- Activities: Watch iconic movies and sing karaoke by your favorite artists!
- Food: Enjoy free snacks and beverages
Get Involved!
Interested in volunteering? Want to share your language to others? Speak to our staff and sign up to volunteer at aaarcc.short.gy/volunteer
Bread Table and Food Pantry, Mondays 11am and Fridays 2pm
Mondays from 11am for Pop-up bread table and Friday from 2 pm for limited pantry items (Starting the week of January 26th)
AAARCC (915 5th St)
Announcements will be made on @purdueaaarcc social media when the bread is gone for the day.
Free and open to all Boilermakers.
How to Support AAARCC Programs
AAARCC programs are free and open to all students. Here are ways to support our programming initiatives:
1) Attend and promote AAARCC programs within your networks, classrooms, and listservs by downloading our flyers from our website.
2) If you are a class instructor, assign our events as part of required or extra-credit activities for your class. If your whole class is interested in attending AAARCC events or volunteering for a class assignment, please email us at aaarcc@purdue.edu and we’d be happy to help coordinate this learning opportunity.
3) Partner with us in co-planning events or provide co-sponsorship. If your department or organization is interested in partnering with AAARCC for an event or activity, please email us at aaarcc@purdue.edu. We believe that by working together, we can create even more enriching experiences and make a broader impact on campus life.
4) Give to support our initiatives and encourage others to make financial gifts to the AAARCC. If you are interested in financially supporting AAARCC programs, please use this link: bit.ly/givetotheaaarcc
All AAARCC programs are free and open to all students. These gatherings provide valuable opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to engage in meaningful dialogue and build connections within our vibrant community. 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.
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
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM