As of September 2021, all Ethnic & Gender (E&G) offices are open to support your student success and needs. Please check individual websites for specific, operational hours and contact info. Masks are required indoors at all times and proof of completion of Daily Wellness Survey is required to enter all E&G offices. In order to keep us all safe, we also ask that you please continue to wash your hands, maintain physical distance, and all other health measures to reduce risk. We look forward to connecting soon.

Asian Pacific Student Programs

Provides educational, cultural and society support for Asian Pacific students.

Our History

We’ve come a long way...

APSP - Our History

In 1982, Asian Pacific students made up just 10% of UCR’s undergraduate population, and 8%of the graduate student body. In April of 1989, representatives of the Inter-Asian Club Council, the Chinese Students Association, the Japanese Students Association, the Asian Indian Students Association, and Katipunan (the Filipino Student Union) submitted a proposal to UCR requesting a full-time advisor to “coordinate the active needs of the Asian Students Program.” Four months later, APSP opened its doors.

Over the past three decades, we have grown in strength and numbers, and student involvement has increased. Today, nearly one-third of UCR’s student body is comprised of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students. We've come a long way in establishing our presence and cultural imprint on this diverse campus.

APSP - Our History

APSP Historical Milestones

  • 1989
    • The Asian Pacific American Student Programs office (aka Asian Student Programs) opens its doors as part of Campus Activities. 
    • The first director, Grace Yoo, is hired part-time and is supported by a one-hour-a week student worker.
    • First-year activities include a volunteer peer counseling program, newsletter, volleyball games and Asian Heritage Week.
  • 1990
    • The Asian Pacific Awareness Coalition is formed.
    • Six-hundred signatures are gathered on a petition to demand Asian American Studies be offered at UCR and additional space be provided for the Asian Pacific American Student Programs office. By the end of the year, the office has a bigger budget, its own space, a full-time director and two student workers.
  • 1992
    • APASP moves into the second floor of Costo Hall.
    • The first references to Asian Pacific Student Programs (absent the word "American" in the name) begin to appear on expense budget reports.
  • 1993
    • The 15th Annual State Conference of the Asian and Pacific Islander Student Union (APSU) is held at UCR.
    • APSP hosts the Inland Empire Leadership Education for Asian Pacific (LEAP) Conference.
  • 1994
    • APSP office moves to 104 Costo Hall. The organization hosts an open house and unveils a new mural by designers Daryl Mar and Tony Osumi that links the legacy of progressive activism to the past, present and future. 
    • The first annual Asian Pacific Youth Conference is held at UCR.
  • 1995
    • The first Asian and Pacific Islander Student Advisory Council is formed.
    • The first Unity Picnic is held.
  • 1996
    • California passes Proposition 209, prohibiting the use of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, education or contracting. Dramatic changes begin for the University of California's efforts to admit and support a diverse student body.
  • 1997
    • APSP hosts the Inland Valley Asian & Pacific Islander Student Leadership Conference.
    • Samuel Kho designs the APSP logo, stylizing the APSP mural into a united journey to the top of a mountain.
  • 1998
    • On Feb. 11, APSP introduces the first "Hump Day Celebration," celebrating the middle day of the middle week of the middle quarter as the symbolic halfway point in the academic year. 
    • Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month is moved from January to May to bring UCR in line with the national celebration. 
    • Drawing inspiration from the Inter-Asian Club Council, student organizations unite as the Asian Pacific Islander Student Advisory Council (APISAC), which soon establishes itself as a political force on campus.
  • 2001
    • In response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, APSP organizes the Wings of Hope project, folding paper cranes in memory of all the victims of the attacks and in the hopes that the world can move closer toward an era of true peace and harmony. The cranes are placed on long-term display within the University Commons and can now be found in The HUB.
  • 2002
    • APSP receives the Allies Award from the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on the status of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders at UCR. 
    • APSP's Peer Mentor Program receives the Bayless Student Leadership Award for devoted service to the community and exemplifying outstanding leadership.
  • 2004
    • After restructuring of the Student Affairs Division, APSP no longer reports directly to the vice chancellor of student affairs and instead reports to the assistant dean of students under the dean of students organizational unit.
  • 2008
    • APSP brings the San Diego Asian Film Festival to the University Village Cinema for three days of great films from Asia and Asian America.
  • 2009
    • APSP takes part in the first Common Ground Retreat, where student leaders from various backgrounds gather to define points of connection and to develop collective responses to issues affecting them at UCR.
  • 2010
    • APSP celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Leadership & Service Awards Celebration. Grace Yoo, APSP's first director, is the keynote speaker.