As an AANAPISI institution, Virak Uy, Director of Asian American Student Advancement
Program, and Pat Demaras, Assistant Dean of International and Multicultural Affairs,
had the opportunity to participate in the 2017 Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education
(APAHE) conference. APAHE is an organization that is devoted to addressing issues
affecting Asian-Pacific-American students, staff, faculty and administrators in higher
education. The conference took place in Oakland, Calif. This year's conference theme
was "Building Bridges and Connecting the Generations: 30 Years of Activism and Inclusion."
MCC joined UMass Boston, Hunter College, Bunker Hill CC, and other AANAPISI schools
in break-out sessions that focused on curriculum development and programming best
practices to support Asian-American students.
AANAPISI also sponsored a couple of events that included an "Angkor's Children" film
screening event on April 12. The film is about the inspirational revival of Cambodia's
art and culture following the Khmer Rouge. The screening provided an opportunity for
faculty fellows to learn more about Cambodian cultural and artistic renaissance. The
story is told through the voices of three young Cambodian women who are the first
generation after the Khmer Rouge. The event was well attended by faculty, staff, students
and community partners.
The Asian Students In Alliance (A.S.I.A) student group hosted an event that aimed
to promote religious tolerance through dialogue. On April 19, MCC students had an
opportunity to speak with Buddhist monk, Venerable Kou Sopheap. He is also an Associate
Dean at Pannasastra University. The event attracted many students who came with many
questions about the Buddhist religion and teachings.