
Overview
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.
Students will participate in a two-hour session once a week, and each session will have an activity, speaker presentation, or film accompanied by student-led discussions. In the past, there have been site visits to various community based organizations near campus and a mandatory overnight retreat in the latter half of the semester.
CIRCLE runs 7 weeks in the Fall semester, with 3 sessions a week to choose from.
Program Details
- Week 1 – Identity
- Week 2 – APIDA History
- Week 3 – Immigration
- Week 4 – Sexuality
- Week 5 – Gender Identity
- Week 6 – Race and Anti-Blackness
- Week 7 – Solidarity

CIRCLE participants gather for a photo after CIRCLE Retreat.
Application
Important Dates
- There are no upcoming events.
The application for CIRCLE has closed for Fall 2021. If you have any questions, please email circle@usc.edu.