The Asian American Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association (AAPIFSA) is a voluntary organization under the guidance of the Office of Inclusive Excellence at Arizona State University.
AAPIFSA brings together faculty and staff from across ASU to build community, foster connection and belonging, support the AAPI experience, and strengthen collaboration across the university.
AAPIFSA recognizes the broad diversity of the Asian American Pacific Islander community, including individuals with heritage from East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
AAPIFSA acknowledges the cultural, ethnic, and social diversity within the AAPI community, encompassing a wide range of traditions, languages, and experiences.
The effort to establish the Asian American Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association (AAPIFSA) began in 2024. Rozita Smith and Ina Seok initiated the creation of the association to establish a more formal structure for connection, support, and community among AAPI faculty and staff at Arizona State University.
As part of the early development process, Smith and Seok reached out to ASU faculty and staff to gauge interest in establishing the association. Eleven faculty and staff members expressed interest in joining as founding members, demonstrating initial support for the proposed organization. The proposal also incorporated feedback gathered through conversations with university leaders, other ASU faculty and staff associations, and members of the AAPI community.
The concept for AAPIFSA was presented to the Office of Inclusive Excellence on October 11, 2024, and a formal Proposal to Create the Asian American and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association was submitted on March 20, 2025.
The proposal outlined a vision for an inclusive community that would connect and support AAPI faculty and staff, strengthen representation and belonging, share resources, and build collaborative relationships across ASU.
Smith and Seok continued working together on the development of the association through July 1, 2025. Smith subsequently continued the organizational work through formal establishment, including finalizing organizational and governance documents, coordinating the review process, and completing the requirements necessary to launch the association.
AAPIFSA was formally established on July 11, 2025.
Following formal establishment, the 11 individuals who had expressed interest in becoming founding members were invited to AAPIFSA's first Founding Members Meeting on November 4, 2025. Ten founding members attended and volunteered to serve on AAPIFSA's first Steering Committee. Their leadership roles were confirmed by the founding members during the meeting.
October 11, 2024
AAPIFSA concept presented to the Office of Inclusive Excellence.
March 20, 2025
Formal proposal to establish AAPIFSA submitted.
July 11, 2025
AAPIFSA formally established.
October 8, 2025
AAPIFSA was represented for the first time at a university/community partnership event at the ASU–HonorHealth Building Inclusive Connections Meet & Greet.
November 4, 2025
AAPIFSA held its first Founding Members Meeting at the Tempe campus. Ten founding members attended and volunteered to serve on AAPIFSA's first Steering Committee, establishing the association's initial leadership structure. The 2025–2027 Steering Committee leadership roles were confirmed by the founding members during the meeting.
November 11, 2025
The current version of the AAPIFSA Bylaws was approved.
February 17, 2026
AAPIFSA held its Kickoff Gathering and Lunar New Year 2026 celebration at the Tempe campus.
Throughout its first year, AAPIFSA continued expanding its presence across ASU through participation and representation at university events across campuses. These engagement opportunities increased awareness of the association and helped build relationships with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners.
AAPIFSA holds at least one General Meeting each semester for general members.
General Meetings may be held as a standalone meeting or combined with an AAPIFSA event where general members are invited, such as an AAPIFSA Connect Series or other community-building gathering.
Meetings may be held in person or virtually.
The AAPIFSA Connect Series creates welcoming opportunities for ASU faculty and staff to meet colleagues, build relationships, share experiences, learn about resources, and strengthen community across campuses.
Connect Series events are hosted across Tempe, West Valley, Downtown Phoenix, and Polytechnic.
Fall 2026: Tempe and West Valley
Spring 2027: Downtown Phoenix and Polytechnic
The Steering Committee meets monthly during the academic year, with summer meetings scheduled as needed.
A university-wide photo contest celebrating moments of love, care, connection, and belonging in ASU community life. Open to current ASU students, faculty, and staff.
View Event Details & Submit a Photo
Friday, Oct. 23 | Noon–2 p.m. | FAB S101, West Valley campus
Join us for a relaxed and welcoming gathering for ASU faculty and staff to meet colleagues, build relationships, and strengthen their networks.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Date and details coming soon
Date and details coming soon
In collaboration with IAFSA.
Date and details coming soon
A collaborative cultural celebration bringing together faculty, staff, students, student organizations, and campus partners.
Date and details coming soon
AAPIFSA's first Steering Committee was formed during the Founding Members Meeting on November 4, 2025. Ten founding members attended and volunteered to serve on the Steering Committee, and the 2025–2027 leadership roles were confirmed by the founding members during the meeting.
Rozita Smith
Chair, AAPIFSA
Associate Director, International Student Experience and Retention
International Students and Scholars Center
Karen Sung
Vice Chair, AAPIFSA
Chief Strategy Officer
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Karen Kuo
Vice Chair, AAPIFSA
Interim School Co-Director and Associate Professor
School of Social Transformation
Raquel Fong
Secretary, AAPIFSA
Director of Explore and Interim Director of Success by Design
University College
Ya Hu
Secretary, AAPIFSA
Assistant Director of College Relations
Fulton Schools of Engineering
Kamla Tung
Communication Lead, AAPIFSA
Director, International Communications and Marketing
Academic Enterprise Communications
Eng Chin Soh
Communication Lead, AAPIFSA
Global Student Experience Coordinator
International Students and Scholars Center
Linda Kim
Community Outreach Lead, AAPIFSA
Assistant Dean and Teaching Professor
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
K. Hazel Kwon
Community Outreach Lead, AAPIFSA
Professor and Research Director
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Chung-Ning Gonzalez
Community Outreach Lead, AAPIFSA
Director of International Faculty and Scholar Services
International Students and Scholars Center
The Steering Committee oversees AAPIFSA's activities and functions and helps ensure alignment with the association's mission and vision. Areas of activity include community-building, communications, governance, education, and collaboration with student organizations.
AAPIFSA's bylaws establish the association's foundation, vision, mission, values, membership, meetings, Steering Committee structure, elections, and governance procedures.
AAPIFSA Established: July 11, 2025
Current Bylaws Approved: November 11, 2025
AAPIFSA is guided by a Steering Committee consisting of 6–10 members. The Steering Committee oversees the activities and functions of AAPIFSA and ensures alignment with its mission and vision.
Areas of activity include:
Chair — Oversees the business of the organization, presides over meetings, represents AAPIFSA to external entities, and sets meetings and annual agendas in collaboration with the Steering Committee.
Vice Chair — Assists the Chair and coordinates Steering Committee elections.
Secretary — Maintains meeting agendas and official minutes and distributes meeting materials.
Communications Lead — Manages communications with members, including the website, social media, newsletters, and meeting schedules.
General Members participate in the election of Steering Committee members. Members may self-nominate or nominate other members, and nominees must accept their nominations before the election.
Steering Committee members typically serve two-year terms.
General Members may submit written proposals to amend the bylaws. Proposed amendments are considered by the membership according to the procedures established in the bylaws.
Have questions or want to learn more about the Asian American and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association? Please contact Rozita Smith at [email protected]
