![apan header Asian pacific american network](https://myacpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/web_header-01.png)
Thank you for stopping by to learn more about the Asian Pacific American Network. Take some time to look through our content and don’t hesitate to share how you’d like to get involved. Use the menu below to jump to a section of interest.
For more information, or to get involved, email APAN Co-Chairs Will L. Hsu (2023-2025) and Samantha Thornton (2024-2026). Additionally, for all of APAN’s current happenings and communication platforms, check out our Linktree.
Our Mission
The Asian Pacific American Network (APAN) is dedicated to addressing the concerns and issues of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) faculty, staff, and students in higher education. Our purpose is to provide community, professional development, networking, and affirmation of identity for APIDA professionals. APAN represents APIDA issues and advocates for programs, services, research, and actions within the leadership of the Coalition for Multicultural Affairs and ACPA: College Student Educators International.
who we are
The Asian Pacific American Network (APAN) is one of four networks within the Coalition for Multicultural Affairs (CMA). The purpose of CMA is to act as the coordinating directorate body for educating student affairs professionals on the issues and concerns of students, faculty, and staff of color in the higher education community.
LEADERSHIP
The initiatives and activities of APAN are led by a volunteer team of student affairs and higher education professionals. Comprised of the Directorate and Regional Ambassadors, the Leadership Team offers community-building, educational awareness, networking, and professional development opportunities for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) professionals, and advocates for APIDA-related issues within CMA, ACPA, and the greater higher education field.
News & Updates
APAN Scholarship, Research, and Advocacy
Scholarship, Research, and Advocacy As higher education professionals, APAN is of course passionate about education. APAN's research, scholarship, and advocacy efforts focus on: Gathering and distributing information about APIDA-related issues, major incidents, and...
Networking in APAN
Network Socials (Regional & Convention) Community and relationship-building is a central component to APAN’s activities. To facilitate connections between members, APAN organizes socials and gatherings to bring people together, whether at Convention each spring or...
Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA) in Higher Education Database
APAN maintains a database of APIDA professionals in higher education. This is a public database that is distributed amongst our APAN members to help facilitate the networking of APIDA professionals based on region, areas of interest, positions, and more. To add...
upcoming apan events
There are no upcoming events at this time
Meet the Directorate
Dr. Hannah Hyun White
Past Chair
she/her/hers
University of Arizona
Will L. Hsu
Co-Chair (2023-2025)
he/him/他
San Jose State University
Samantha Thornton
Co-Chair (2024-2026)
she/her/hers
George Mason University
Lusi Wang
External Affairs & Development
she/her/她
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cassi Colangelo
Scholarship, Research, and Advocacy
she/her/hers
University of California, Los Angeles
Wilson Deng
Scholarship, Research, and Advocacy
he/him/his
Santa Clara University
Chris Dang
Convention
he/him/his
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Daniel Hoddinott
Convention
he/him/his
University of Pennsylvania
IC Ulep
Convention
none
University of San Diego
Tyler Andrle
Communications
he/him/his
University of Illinois, Chicago
Alyssa Pon-Franklin
Community Engagement
she/her/hers
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Chris Rosales
Communications
he/him/his
University of Arizona
Shannon Sy
Community Engagement
she/her/hers
Cornell University
Xavier-Thomas Mendoza
Communications
he/him/his
Loyola University Chicago
Yi Xuen Tay
Community Engagement
she/her/hers
University of Nevada, Reno
Regional Ambassadors
Led and supported by the APAN Community Engagement Co-Chairs, the APAN Regional Ambassadors (RAs) provide leadership and outreach to their region regarding APAN events and communications. Regional Ambassadors are committed to increasing awareness and involvement within APAN by providing updated information to their state region. Working collaboratively with other Regional Ambassadors and the APAN Directorate, they seek to build a stronger community of APIDA professionals. Please see our wonderful RA team below!
For more information, contact us at [email protected].
Jeremy Lunasco (he/him/his; CA)
Emily Nakamura (she/her/hers; IL)
Saryu Sanghani (she/they; PA)
Kalue Yang (she/her/hers; CA)
Get Involved in apan
APAN is constantly looking for ways to enhance the APIDA experience for professionals and students alike. Becoming an APAN member within the ACPA member portal will ensure you are connected with all of our upcoming events and initiatives.
Ready to join?
Joining an Entity through the ACPA Member Portal automatically identifies you as a member of that Entity! You will begin to receive Entity communications through their respective email listserv and have access to any resources they share!
- Login to your ACPA Member Account
- Click on Community Groups (Chatter)
- Click Groups
- Click Active Groups
- Find the entity you want to join and within that group, click +Join
Contact APAN via email at [email protected] to learn more about ACPA’s Asian Pacific American Network.
Any ACPA member can become involved and there are varying levels of involvement:
- Become a Regional Ambassador
- Attend our open business meeting at the annual ACPA convention
- Review program proposals for the Convention
- Submit a sponsored program proposal for Convention
- Host a webinar
Additional involvement opportunities
APAN Scholarship, Research, and Advocacy
Scholarship, Research, and Advocacy As higher education professionals, APAN is of course passionate about education. APAN's research, scholarship, and advocacy efforts focus on: Gathering and distributing information about APIDA-related issues, major incidents, and...
Networking in APAN
Network Socials (Regional & Convention) Community and relationship-building is a central component to APAN’s activities. To facilitate connections between members, APAN organizes socials and gatherings to bring people together, whether at Convention each spring or...
Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA) in Higher Education Database
APAN maintains a database of APIDA professionals in higher education. This is a public database that is distributed amongst our APAN members to help facilitate the networking of APIDA professionals based on region, areas of interest, positions, and more. To add...
APAN Awards
APAN is seeking nominations for our annual awards, which recognize members of ACPA who have contributed significantly to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community within student affairs and higher education.
As you continue with your work this fall, take a moment to reflect on the people, programs, and settings that supported us and helped get us to where we are. Who or what provided guidance and mentorship? Professionally and personally? Who was it that asked us the difficult questions we needed to hear and face? What were the programs that inspired us to continue the work we do?
Dr. Daniello Balón Mentoring Award
Awarded to an outstanding mentor who has made a significant impact in the lives of APIDA students and/or student affairs professionals. This award is named after Dr. Daniello Balón to honor his legacy of exemplary mentorship.
Outstanding Program/Initiative for APIDA Student Success
This award recognizes a program or initiative that has positively impacted APIDA college student success, or has contributed to increased education and awareness of the needs and experiences of APIDA students.
Outstanding Graduate Student
This award recognizes a master’s or doctoral student in student affairs, higher education, or a related field who has demonstrated academic excellence; active involvement on campus, within ACPA, or in the higher education sector; and significant potential as an APIDA scholar-practitioner.