Our programs are designed to educate, engage, and empower students. We hope to help challenge you to think critically about the world around you, encourage you to share in dialogue with your peers, and put your learning into practice. Participation in our programs will provide you leadership, education, and community.
Welcome to the Trojan Family! We invite and encourage new students to get involved in APASS to learn more about your Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) identity, build community, and think critically about social issues that impact the APIDA community.
Critical Issues in Race, Class, and Leadership Education, or CIRCLE, is a seven-week educational leadership program. CIRCLE aims to develop future Asian Pacific Islander community leaders by encouraging dialogues between students, connecting them to local community based organizations, and exploring both historic and contemporary Asian Pacific Islander issues and experiences in America. Since 1988, student participants have the opportunity to engage in discussions on social justice and various issues.
Pairing Asian American and Pacific Islander undergraduates with alumni and other professionals in constructive mentoring relationships, focused on career exploration and development.
Since 1994, PEER matches continuing APIDA students with first-year students (freshmen and transfers) in a unique mentoring relationship focused on transition, success, and growth. The program offers social events and educational workshops and is uniquely designed to foster healthy relationships to support APIDA students’ mental health and well-being. PEER is a great place to start in APASS for first years.
The Together In Empowerment (TIE) Internship Program provides college students with an educational learning experience and insight into the Los Angeles APIDA community through participation, empowerment, and advocacy. Students will be matched to an APIDA Community-Based Organization (CBO) and receive hands-on experience in the workplace, develop professional skills and experience, have access to valuable thought leaders, and receive peer-to-peer support through their cohort.
In partnership with the Pacific Islands Institute, all USC students are invited to learn about issues of sovereignty and explore the history of Hawai’i! Explore Native Hawaiian history, culture, and the struggle for sovereignty in an intimate, service-learning, and cross-cultural immersion experience on the island of Oahu.
The Asian Pacific Graduate Celebration recognizes and celebrates the strength and diversity of the APIDA community at USC by acknowledging the APIDA students who are graduating in the spring.
