student wearing traditional Indian attire dances at a Diwali festival at Amherst

Students, staff, and faculty have organized events throughout the year that showcase AAPI voices and perspectives.

  • AAPI Restorative Circle: A restorative circle centering the experiences of Amherst’s Asian American/Pacific Islander community. This circle focuses on the themes of AAPI identity, activism, and more. Hosted by the Center for Restorative Practices.
  • APAAC Faculty & Staff: An annual faculty and staff meet and greet. Professors introduce themselves, their classes, and research, and staff will talk about resources and events available to students on campus.
  • Jubilee Event: A collaboration between ASA and APAAC to participate in a discussion inspired by Jubilee’s famous Spectrum YouTube series. Sparking conversations around our Asian identities and experiences while learning more about advocating for an A/P/A studies major at Amherst.
  • Black-Asian Solidarity Dialogue Workshop: A teach-in and workshop dialogue working to create conversations examining the history of Black-Asian solidarity, exchanging stories, and exploring shared community interests. The purpose of the session is to strengthen trust and community across racial lines and foster enduring relationships between Black and Asian students at Amherst while discussing community issues such as affirmative action and political organizing.
  • colorful quilt

     Quilt Making: A quilt-making activity about community, conversation, and crafting to picture together how the APA Studies major should take shape.

  • Discussion with Better Amherst Initiative: A crossover between ASA, APAAC, and The Better Amherst Initiative, to discuss how Asian students interested in social impact can navigate career decisions.
  • AAPIS Celebration: A celebration of the creation of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies major and program. This historic achievement will be commemorated with remarks by administrators, faculty, and students.
  • Arab American Heritage Month Open Mic: In celebration of Arab American Heritage Month, students share their talents with the Amherst community. The open mic features students performing music or poetry with 5-7 minutes per student.
  • Performance Lecture: Acclaimed Syrian-American rapper & poet Omar Offendum is bringing his love for Hip-Hop and Arabic poetry to college campuses across America with this very special performance-lecture. Joined by Chicago-based Palestinian Oud virtuoso Ronnie Malley, these multi-talented musicians offer a unique perspective on Arab-American artistic expression, weaving stories of the past, present and future.

Photos from Previous Community Events

Close Caption Offendum and Malley (Stanford 2023)

Acclaimed Syrian-American rapper / poet Omar Offendum is bringing his love for Hip-Hop and Arabic poetry to college campuses across America with this very special performance-lecture. Joined by Chicago-based Palestinian Oud virtuoso Ronnie Malley, these multi-talented musicians offer a unique perspective on Arab-American artistic expression.

Close Caption Offendum and Ronnie Malley (Joes Pub 2023)

Acclaimed Syrian-American rapper / poet Omar Offendum is bringing his love for Hip-Hop and Arabic poetry to college campuses across America with this very special performance-lecture. Joined by Chicago-based Palestinian Oud virtuoso Ronnie Malley, these multi-talented musicians offer a unique perspective on Arab-American artistic expression.

Close Caption Offendum and Ronnie Malley

Acclaimed Syrian-American rapper / poet Omar Offendum is bringing his love for Hip-Hop and Arabic poetry to college campuses across America with this very special performance-lecture. Joined by Chicago-based Palestinian Oud virtuoso Ronnie Malley, these multi-talented musicians offer a unique perspective on Arab-American artistic expression.

Close Caption A group of students celebrate in the AAPI major celebration reception

Students, faculty, and staff celebrate the creation of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies major and program. Amherst is the first liberal arts college in the country with its own such major. This historic achievement will be commemorated with remarks by administrators, faculty, and students through a brief reception.

Close Caption Applause for the reception speakers in the AAPI major celebration

Students, faculty, and staff celebrate the creation of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies major and program. Amherst is the first liberal arts college in the country with its own such major. This historic achievement will be commemorated with remarks by administrators, faculty, and students through a brief reception.

Close Caption Audience members listen to reception speakers for AAPI major celebration

Students, faculty, and staff celebrate the creation of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies major and program. Amherst is the first liberal arts college in the country with its own such major. This historic achievement will be commemorated with remarks by administrators, faculty, and students through a brief reception.