This spring, MSU’s campus is filled with culture, community and celebration as Asian American Affairs presents the tribute to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. 

Although AAPI Month is officially celebrated throughout the country in May, the university chose to have its events during April so students can fully participate prior to the end of the semester.

“To me, celebrating AAPI Heritage Month means honoring the rich histories, diverse cultures, and contributions these individuals have made to our society and campus community,” said Ben Thao, the Asian American Affairs Representative. “Being Asian American myself, it allows me to reflect on the achievements of those that came before and those that have yet to come. It’s where we can come together and be prideful of who we are — to be an inclusive community where we are all seen, valued, and heard.”

The festive month is full of vibrant, student-led activities promoting food, culture and artistry from the Asian diaspora. It kicked off at the start of the month and there is a new opportunity to meet every week, an example being Wednesday’s Pho Challenge, a tasty and entertaining experience where participants competed to consume one pound of noodles and one pound of meat. Non-competitors were able to enjoy plenty of classic Vietnamese pho to try and share with friends.

Starting Tuesday, students can drop by the Multicultural Center to decorate paper lanterns. The lanterns will be on display at the highly anticipated Lotus Night Market, hosted by ASIA (Asian Students in America), on April 19. 

The night will be a colorful celebration of culture, food, music and community, offering students from diverse backgrounds a chance to enjoy the richness of Asian cultures. The following week, the students can pick up the lanterns they have created as a memory of the celebration.

The month’s event concludes on a warm and full-flavored basis with the Kapoon Night, which will be held on April 23. The guests will have the pleasure of trying the Kapoon, a spicy noodle soup that is renowned for its richly comforting taste. Thao elaborated that food plays an important part during this celebration because “one of the best ways to connect and understand a culture is through food.” 

“We invite our campus community to learn, celebrate, and build deeper cultural appreciation in an authentic and engaging way,” Thao added, 

Beyond the events, AAPI Heritage Month’s true strength lies in creating the connections it offers. 

“Celebrating AAPI culture is more important now than ever, given today’s social and political climate,” Thao said. “AAPI communities have too often faced invisibility, stereotyping, and even hate. It is imperative we create spaces that uplift, honor, and affirm their identities.”

They also noted that for many AAPI students, being far from their home country is emotionally difficult to endure. 

“One of the biggest challenges AAPI students often face is homesickness,” Thao shared. “These events help recreate that sense of connection and belonging by bringing people together in familiar, culturally meaningful ways — through food, celebration, and shared experiences.”

Importantly, these events are not just for AAPI students. Everyone is welcome. 

“We invite everyone to come in, not as observers, but as active participants in learning and celebration,” Thao said.

AAPI Heritage Month on campus is rooted in pride, representation and belonging. In food, practices and shared conversation, these events remind students that they are not alone, their culture matters and their identities are worth celebrating and honoring. 

Photo Caption: Asian American Affairs celebrates AAPI Heritage Month throughout April. (Troy Yang/The Reporter)

Write to sara.hurtado@mnsu.edu

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