Chiang visits 3 cultural centers and completes visiting all 5 centers on campus

Purdue President Mung Chiang continued his year-long listening sessions with student, faculty and staff organizations on Friday (April 21), visiting three culture centers on campus: Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center; Latino Cultural Center; and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Center. He toured the centers and learned about them via open discussions with undergraduate and graduate students.

President Chiang at the Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center. Download image

“I’ve had the opportunity to visit all five cultural centers. They play an integral role in our campus life,” Chiang said. “We continue to strive to be a university where all Boilermakers can excel.”

The AAARCC represents a “conscious response to incorporate Asian and Asian American experiences as an integral aspect of the diverse and multi-faceted Purdue experience,” providing educational resources for the campus and Lafayette-West Lafayette communities. The Asian American undergraduate population at Purdue has doubled in the last 20 years. Founded in 2015, the AAARCC moved into its house at 915 Fifth Street a year later. Director Pamela K. Sari earned her PhD in American Studies and graduate minors in Anthropology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Purdue. As a graduate student, she was involved in Asian Pacific American Caucus and Student Steering Committee to propose the AAARCC.

President Chiang at the Latino Cultural Center. Download image

The LCC was established in 2003 and has been recognized as a national model for other campus Latino offices and centers. The space represents Latino cultures, identities, histories and accomplishments. The center, located at 426 Waldron Street, is a hub for Purdue’s 17 Latino-based student organizations and the host for many cultural activities, scholarly lectures and celebrations. Carina Olaru joined Purdue as director of the LCC in 2016. The following year, she was responsible for its expansion, renovation and relocation, and her vision ensured that the new space was inclusive and representative of diverse Latino communities.

The LGBTQ Center celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022. Over the past decade, the center has experienced growth in LGBTQ+ community visibility, campus engagement, access to resources, supportive policies and practices, and opportunities to maximize the potential of LGBTQ+ Boilermakers. In August 2022, Purdue was recognized as one of the “Best of the Best” colleges and universities for LGBTQ+ students. Director Lowell Kane has been an advocate and leader in the LGBTQ community for more than a decade, with specializations in educational programming, support services, fostering collaborative partnerships, establishing Safe Zone programs, facilitation/training and leadership development.