This story will be updated throughout March and April. The cover image references the work of MSU's Asian Pacific Islander Desi American and Asian, or APIDA/A, Heritage Month Planning Committee in organizing campus-wide APIDA/A Heritage Month events.
Michigan State University recognizes Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, or APIDA, Heritage Month each year to celebrate the community’s diverse identities, histories and cultures. Nationally, APIDA Heritage Month is recognized in May when most students are no longer on campus. This year, MSU observes this celebration between March 18 and April 19 while students are still on campus and can engage with programming and connect with each other.
APIDA Heritage Month at MSU will formally kick off in the Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room with a night of wellness and food. The Asian Pacific American Student Organization, in collaboration with MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services, WE ARE SAATH at MSU and Spartan Upcycle, is hosting a night featuring DIY wellness kits, painting, aromatherapy and mental health resources celebrating community and culture.
Several key events during this year’s APIDA Heritage Month celebrate cultures from across the APIDA community. Hosted at Grewal Hall in Lansing, the Pilipino American Student Society will proudly present its annual Philippine culture night, Halo-Halo. This annual semiformal event explores and celebrates the unique mixture of both Filipino and American identities with this year’s theme, “Sabay Sabay Tayo,” which translates to “Let’s do it together.”
The Vietnamese Student Association will host its annual cultural show themed “In Bloom,” which will feature a curated food spread as guests enjoy the celebration of Vietnamese heritage through performance, storytelling and shared tradition. The Japanese Student Association is hosting its free annual “Matsuri Festival” celebrating Japanese culture with food, activities, prizes and live performances. Before the month of celebration ends, APASO invites students, staff, faculty and alums to attend its annual banquet and celebrate the MSU APIDA community with a meal. See the event list below for details on all events.
All events are listed in Eastern time. To add an event, email sileriog@msu.edu.
Spartans observing Ramadan will have halal plate options available from MSU Culinary Services at dining halls across campus. Visit Eat at State for more information.
Join in for a fun afternoon of hands-on creativity at the International Center’s Room 303! Make your own evil eye bracelet, keychain, paint ceramics, try water marbling and more while enjoying Turkish tea and snacks! Free and open to all, while supplies last.
Join the Indian Students Organization at IM East to celebrate Holi with colors, water guns, music and more!
The Chinese-American Student Coalition is hosting a Lunar New Year banquet in Grewal Hall to celebrate the new year! This year’s theme, “Legacy in Motion” will feature live performances, food, prizes and more. Register for the event.
Stop by the Vietnamese Student Association’s bake sale at Wells Hall and try delicious treats! There will be pandan and ube waffles, along with ube cookies with cream cheese frosting and pandan cookies topped with coconut flakes. Preorder before March 16.
Kick off APIDA Heritage Month in the Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room with APASO and celebrate community and culture with dinner, DIY wellness kits, painting, aromatherapy and more!
Join the Hmong American Student Association at Lansing Shuffle for some mixing and mingling! Bring a friend and good vibes and get ready for a fun evening.
The Asian Pacific American Studies program’s annual symposium is taking place March 21–22. More information coming soon.
Join the Undergraduate International Indian Student Association and Hindu YUVA at the IM East field for a celebration of Holi filled with colors, music, dancing and fun. Entry is free, so bring your friends!
The Pilipino American Student Society proudly presents its annual Philippine culture night, themed “Sabay Sabay Tayo,” translating to “Let’s do it Together.” Tickets are sold out. Join the waitlist.
Join Deepam and the Indian Students Organization at the MSU Union Ballroom for a night full of fun, music and food. The themed dress code is Indian or western formal wear in the colors of navy blue, dark red, dark purple, emerald or black.
Join Professor Rachel DiNitto from the University of Oregon at the International Center Room 303 as she explores how modern Japanese fiction reimagines nuclear risk from Cold War anxieties to post-Fukushima futures.
Join the MSU Muslim Studies Program for its 19th Annual Conference March 26–27. This year’s conference theme is “Does Islam Have a Liberation Theology?” The conference is virtual, free of charge and open to all. Register for the virtual event.
The Japanese Student Association is hosting its annual Matsuri Festival at People’s Park (behind Wells Hall). Celebrate Japanese culture in a fun and interactive environment. Attendees can enjoy booths featuring mini-games, food stalls, prizes and live performances! The event is free and open to all!
The Vietnamese Student Association invites you to its annual culture show as it celebrates Vietnamese heritage through performance, storytelling and shared traditions. Learn more and buy tickets for this event.
Join the MSU Thai Club and the Umich Thai Student Association for a competitive sports day at the University of Michigan Sports Coliseum! More information coming soon.
Join an evening of music and conversation exploring imagination, identity and the possibilities of tomorrow at the MSU Museum. The event features a live performance by musician Austin Har and a panel discussion with faculty and students from APASO. Learn more and register for this event.
This year, the APASO Banquet will be at the Multicultural Center! We invite students, faculty, staff and alumni to attend and celebrate the MSU APIDA community. Register for this event by April 6.
This year’s theme is “Making Knowledge, Making History: Producing the Indonesian Past, Present and Future.” This virtual conference by the American Institute for Indonesian Studies and the Asian Studies Center will run from May 26 to 30 and invites scholars, students, artists and practitioners to explore how Indonesia has been imagined, studied and narrated over time. Visit the Asian Studies Center website for more information.
Michigan State is dedicated to recognizing the diverse cultures and histories of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American and Asian people in and outside of education. Students, staff and faculty can find support and resources through various channels at MSU, including the Asian Pacific American Student Organization, APASO affiliate organizations, the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American/Asian Faculty and Staff Association, the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy and the Asian Pacific American Studies program.
MSU recognizes APIDA Heritage Month yearly to celebrate the group’s diverse identities, histories and cultures. The Asian Pacific American Student Organization is raising funds for various projects, such as scholarships, mental health initiatives and cultural events that honor and support Spartan students. Learn more.