Who We Are

The APIDA Faculty and Staff Alliance is the one of eight identity-based Affinity Groups (African American Affairs Council, Alumni, Latino/a Faculty and Staff Association, LGBTQ, Native Nations Council, Veterans, and Womyn of Color Collective) at MSU Denver. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion supports these groups in promoting and providing a sense of belonging and community for employees.

Originally created as the Asian/Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Alliance in Spring 2019, the group’s name was changed to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Faculty and Staff Alliance in Fall 2020 to be intentional and honor the uniqueness of our communities. APIDA is a more inclusive pan-ethnic term to describe the diversity within Asian and Pacific Islander populations. The Library of Virginia explains further the importance of APIDA and its use:

Map with pins on several East Asian countries

There are a number of terms that are used to denote Asian and Pacific Islander populations, including Asian Pacific American (APA), Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), and Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI). We use the term APIDA, which stands for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, as a pan-ethnic classification that intentionally includes South Asians (Desi) as part of the community. There is a great diversity of identities and ethnicities encompassed under the APIDA umbrella, including East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander. This term ultimately includes all people of Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander ancestry who trace their origins to the countries, states, jurisdictions and/or the diasporic communities of these geographic regions. Visit the Education @ Library of Virginia to learn more.

What We Do

We provide…

  • A space for APIDA faculty and staff to connect with a group of like-minded peers.
  • A place to build community with people from similar cultural backgrounds and families.
  • Events and networking opportunities.
  • An avenue to share our unique perspectives and stories.

 

Our History

The Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Faculty and Staff Alliance was founded in 2019. APIDA Alliance leaders are currently establishing and expanding the group’s mission, vision, goals and bylaws.

Read about some of our group’s significant historical moments below:

Spring 2019

Dr. Shawn Worthy, Interim Associate to the President for Diversity, approved the creation of the Asian/Pacific Islander (A/PI) Faculty and Staff Alliance.

Fall 2019

The A/PI Alliance was officially sanctioned by Dr. Michael Benitez, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion.

Spring 2020

The A/PI Alliance kicked off during the Annual Faculty and Staff of Color Online Social and began inviting individuals to join. The A/PI Faculty and Staff Alliance Microsoft Team was launched to serve as a place of engagement for current faculty and staff.

Fall 2020

To be more inclusive and intentional, the group was renamed to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Faculty and Staff Alliance. The APIDA Alliance website, an outward facing site for new and prospective faculty and staff, was approved. The APIDA Alliance founder, Courtney Matsumoto, made the call for group leaders.

Spring 2021

In Spring 2021, the APIDA Alliance leaders were announced during the Welcome Back Social. APIDA Alliance leaders were tasked with establishing and expanding the group’s mission, vision, goals and bylaws.

Fall 2021

The APIDA Alliance website, an outward facing site for new and prospective faculty and staff, launched.

Our Leaders

Professional Headshot photo of Courtney Matsumoto

Courtney Matsumoto, M.A. (she/her)

Founder/APIDA Alliance Leader

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Data Analyst, Marketing and Communications Senior Manager

[email protected] 303-615-0822
Headshot of Amy Watanabe

Amy Watanabe (she/her)

APIDA Alliance Leader

Associate Head Coach, Women's Volleyball

[email protected] 303-615-0582
headshot of Diane Yee

Diane Yee (she/her)

APIDA Alliance Leader

Director, Campus Recreation

[email protected]

Contact the APIDA Alliance Leaders

The APIDA Faculty and Staff Alliance is sanctioned by MSU Denver's Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Email APIDA Alliance

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