We Celebrate! APIDA Heritage Month 2026
This month and the next provides a meaningful opportunity for reflection and appreciation for the contributions of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) voices within our University of Arizona community. By honoring their experiences and achievements, we deepen our understanding of cultural diversity and promote unity within our community.
Throughout the month of April and beyond, let us engage in meaningful dialogue, celebrate the different perspectives we bring, and actively support initiatives that promote belonging amongst all students. There are many resources within our campus community, as well as events happening in and around the University of Arizona and the W.A. Franke Honors College that all are welcome to and encouraged to attend.
Happy APIDA Heritage Month!
Events
AANHPI Heritage Celebration
Tuesday, April 27, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:30PM | Honors Village Courtyard
Join us and our Sunrise Scholars for an evening in celebration of culture, tradition, food, lantern making, and diya painting!
Community Organizations & Clubs
Sunrise Scholars - a club dedicated to giving students of Asian-American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander backgrounds a space to find community within the Honors College. See their social media for up-to-date meeting times.
Lotus Lounge Student Space - The Lotus Lounge provides students with a place to meet new friends, hang out between classes and learn more about what The University of Arizona has to offer. They have a wide range of services, including events, student success programs, advising & tutoring, and more!
Pre-Health Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) - This is a student-led collaborative organization that aims to enhance undergraduate pathways for Asian Pacific American pre-health students by addressing challenges they face in education, medicine and healthcare, and society.
Asian American Cultural Association (AACA) - A non-profit organization at The University of Arizona dedicated to instilling and maintaining a spirit of community among Asians and Asian Americans.
Tucson Chinese Chorizo Project - Celebrating the Chinese Chorizo, a symbol for community resiliency & solidarity created by early Chinese & Mexican immigrants in Tucson, AZ.
Student Work
bit·ter·sweet: a poetry reading & art exhibition
April 17th | 5:00 - 7:00 PM | Health Sciences Innovation Building |
Nagasriya Ramisetty is a Franke Honors student and 2025-2026 JustArts Fellow at the University of Arizona studying Physiology and Applied Humanities. As a mental health educator, student of health humanities, and second-generation Asian American immigrant, she hopes her work will foster narratives of resilience and encourage open dialogue about mental healthcare, a conversation overlooked in her community for far too long. Nagasriya's work is funded by an Exploratory Mini-grant and supported by mentorship from Franke Honors Professor Claire McLane.
Her poetry reading and art exhibition invites attendees to take part in an immersive experience to reflect upon the relationship between mental health and Asian American exceptionalism, the model minority myth, and individual vs. collective identity in the Western model of medicine.
branching out | a documentary
Franke Honors Student Nikhil Johnson is the creator of Branching Out, his Quest Project documentary that celebrates the voices of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans rooted in Tucson. His film highlights stories of identity, resilience, and impact through the lives of four remarkable individuals: Feng-Feng Yeh, the visionary behind the Chinese Chorizo cultural events; Dr. Jacqueline Barrios, a professor and cultural educator at the University of Arizona; Matt Denney, a performing and visual artist with deep ties to the APASA community; and Dr. Sujata Saha, a surgeon specializing in endocrine surgery and surgical oncology.
Resources & Support
The University of Arizona is determined to meet the rising anti-Asian and Pacific Islander racism with compassion and inclusion. This page is to provide resources, opportunities for engagement and sharing your stories, avenues for enhancing your understanding of APIDA history, culture, and experiences, and suggestions for diverse mediums that celebrate Asian, Pacific Islander, and APIDA joy. The lists are not exhaustive but are a great place to start.