CEI Message for May 5, 2026

Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is observed each May to recognize the contributions and history of people of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander descent. Established in 1992, May was selected as the month to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in 1843 and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, which was built by many Asian immigrants, in May of 1869. AAPI month celebrates the diverse cultures, traditions, and achievements of communities with roots across Asia and the Pacific Islands, and highlights the impact AAPI individuals have had on American society, from art and science to politics and beyond.

CEI & DEI Activities Recap

This school year, the Center for Equity and Inclusion and Council on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion have hosted over 59 opportunities to engage in work that makes us a more inclusive, welcoming and equitable campus! This is in addition to all the opportunities TRiO, LIFE@LSC, the CFI and other areas have offered.

Some highlights:

  • 11 Bite-Sized Equity sessions
  • Celebrating Latinx Heritage month with LSC students’ stories, Native American Heritage month with Elder Ricky DeFoe, Black History month with Emily Ford, International Women’s Day with Mila Mostova
  • 50 winter jackets given to students and their children
  • 3 sessions where 20+ students signed up for SNAP food benefits
  • The Cultural Fair with 12 tables and tons of visitors
  • 8 Lunch and Learns on financial literacy with Affinity Plus
  • Visits and info sessions from TRiO, Accessibility Services, Career Services, Financial Aid, Advisors, the TLC, Mental Health and more campus resources
  • 2 clothing swaps with SO many clothes saved from the landfill and given free to students
  • 84 Winter Break Bundles of food for students and their families
  • Conferences with community members on ADA best practices, advancing equity and the sold-out Equity Summit
  • 2 Native American movie screenings sponsored by the Indigenous Impact Alliance
  • Learning about size inclusivity, aging with grace, and restorative practices from people incarcerated at the Duluth Federal Prison Camp
  • More than 3,000 visits to the Center for Equity and Inclusion
  • And so much pizza!

Please remember that I’m always here to help, including over the summer. We can explore culturally responsive pedagogy, guest speakers for your classroom, revamp forms or processes, book recommendations, and whatever else would help make LSC a more equitable and inclusive campus!