The Asian and Pacific Islander Program at New Mexico State University invites all Aggies to come together this fall for a series of events designed to celebrate Asian, Asian American, Arab and Pacific Islander communities on campus.
The festivities include events that have become fall traditions at NMSU like the Asian Horror Film Festival and Anime and Cosplay Convention. But it also includes new events like a celebration to mark Filipino American History Month.
"I am so happy with all the community partnerships we have amassed and all of the work we have done to make the Asian, Asian American, Arab and Pacific Islander communities of NMSU feel seen, represented and valued as important parts of NMSU culture," said Sophia Sangwanthong, director of the API Program.
Sangwanthong added, "I am excited we have established fall traditions like the annual horror film festival, the annual Cosplay and Anime Convention with LGBT+ Programs, and continued partnership with the Indian Student Association for Roshni. I am excited about establishing Filipino American History Month programming as a new and important tradition for NMSU."
The Filipino American History Month celebration will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, in the Corbett Center Student Union ballrooms. The event will feature free food, games and music. It will be one of the first events at NMSU to commemorate Filipino American History Month.
"Being able to celebrate and share my Filipino American heritage with the greater NMSU community is incredibly meaningful for me," undergraduate student Kim Ballou said. "Dr. Sangwanthong and API Program staff are doing amazing work in creating visibility and representation for the underserved API communities at NMSU."
"Celebrating Filipino Heritage Month at NMSU is a significant moment for our community as it recognizes the rich cultural tapestry of our group, fosters greater awareness of our contributions to the community and honors the diversity of Las Cruces," said Chadrhyn Pedraza, a professor in NMSU's School of Teacher Preparation, Administration and Leadership.
The second annual Asian Horror Film Festival will take place Monday, Oct. 21, in the Creative Media Institute Theater in Milton Hall, Room 171. The festival, co-hosted by the K-Pop Club, Japanese Culture Club and Gay Anime Club, will screen "Perfect Blue" at 6 p.m. and "Train to Busan" at 7:45 p.m.
As part of OUTober, the API Program will co-host the second annual Anime and Cosplay Convention Wednesday, Oct. 23, along with LGBT+ Programs, Gay Anime Club, Latin American Programs and Japanese Culture Club. The convention starts at 7 p.m. in the Corbett Center Student Union auditorium and will feature local artists and contests for cosplayers.
Spacee Kadett, an Arab American performer from Los Angeles, will lead a dinner to discuss Asian American and Arab American experiences Tuesday, Oct. 29, before the 10th annual Halloween Drag Show. Registration for the dinner is required. To RSVP, email
"I'm so proud to be a drag king of Lebanese descent. Queer and Middle Eastern identities are so infrequently associated with one another, but the intersection is vast," Kadett said. "I'm grateful to NMSU for celebrating all of our many identities and for having me back this year."
In collaboration with NMSU's Indian Student Association, the API Program will host the annual Roshni celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, in the Corbett Center Student Union ballrooms.
"Roshni, celebrated during Diwali, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil," said Manusha Vemulapalli, a graduate assistant for the API Program. "At NMSU, this vibrant festival is a thrilling event for the API Program, bringing together students, faculty and the community to celebrate cultural diversity. It's one of those important occasions at NMSU as it fosters inclusivity, strengthens connections among students, and promotes awareness of Indian traditions, enriching the university's multicultural landscape."
All events are free and open to all NMSU students. Roshni and the Filipino American Heritage Month celebration are open to the community.
For more information, follow nmsu_api on Instagram. For additional information about support, resources and programming, email
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-s-api-program-to-host-fall-festivities/s/c5f29a44-94ee-4257-a331-7172e0fcea55
