Student & Community Projects

The Center's connections with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and students since are partly due to the leadership of community activist Meg Malpaya Thornton, who coordinates the Students and Community Projects Unit (SCP). SCP is engaged in student leadership and organizational development, service learning and community internships, research and curriculum support, and special campus and community collaborations.

Meg Malpaya Thornton
Student and Community Projects Coordinator
email: meg@ucla.edu

2239 Campbell Hall
Ph. 310.825.1006
Fax. 310.206.9844

Fellowships and Scholarships

The Center awards fellowships and scholarships to students, ranging from $500 to $8,000. They are provided from endowments and special funds that were established through the generosity of donors and are given for community-oriented research, creative projects, campus or community service experience, and internships with specified community organizations. For more information, click here.

If you would like to contribute to students' academic and community endeavors, go to the AASC Gift Giving page to donate (listed under Scholarships/Fellowships for Asian American Studies [21st Century]).

Service Learning and Internship Program

SCP facilitates and promotes service learning, internships, and other forms of experience-based education. Students are encouraged to develop and advocate for courses and to pursue advanced studies on AAPIs. Noteworthy curriculum projects include the Asian American Gender and Sexuality course, Cambodian American Experience course, Hmong American Studies Conference, the campaign for language classes in Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi and Thai, Save the South Asian minor, and the AAS Department Pilipino Studies concentration.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Directory for Los Angeles and Orange Counties

This resource lists over 900 AAPI organizations and agencies in Southern California that provide services that are accessible, culturally sensitive, and ethnic language competent. The Community Directory enables individuals, community-based organizations, and institutions to network, collaborate, provide information, and refer their clients. It primarily lists non-profit organizations which provide cultural, educational, and social welfare services with a specific focus on AAPI communities and organizations involved in social or political advocacy around issues directly related to AAPIs. It also contains sections on Asian American Studies programs and AAPI student service centers, media, community and social service organizations in Los Angeles and Orange counties. A print version can be purchased through the AASC Press or viewed online here.

Student Leadership Development and Organizational Development

UCLA has a long history of active, influential, and diverse student organizations. SCP continues to nurture the development of AAPI student leadership and campus organizations through partnerships and individual and group advising, which encourages students to critically reflect on their leadership and organizing, actively engage in campus and community issues, and work with campus, community, and alumni groups. Through the years, student organizations that reflect diversity in ethnicity, mixed heritage, sexual orientation, academics, politics, arts and culture have been established.

Current Student Organization Partnerships and Engagement

• Asian American Studies Graduate Students Association
• Pilipino American Graduate Students Association
• Graduate Coalition of the Native Pacific
• Asian American and Pacific Island Studies Undergraduate Association
• Asian Pacific Coalition
• Association of Hmong Students
• Nikkei Student Union
• Pacific Islands Student Association
• Samahang Pilipino

Past sponsorships and historical ties include:

• Asian American Tutorial Project
• Asian Pacific Health Corp
• Association of Chinese Americans
• Bhangra Team
• Casa Heiwa Mentoring Program
• Chinese Student Association
• Compania Ynangbayan
• Hanoolim/ Korean Cultural Awareness Group
• Hapa Club
• Hindi Film Dance Team
• Hui O'Imiloa/ Hawai'i Club
• Indian Student Union
• Korean American Student Association
• Korean American Student Educational Outreach
• Koreatown Tutorial Project
• Kyodo Taiko
• Lapu, the Coyote that Care Theater Co.

• Mien Student Union
• Mahu (API LGBT Awareness Group)
• Pacific Islander Education and Recruitment
• Pakistani Students Association
• Project HOPE/ Higher Opportunity
• Program for Education
• Raas Team
• Samahang Pilipino Education and Retention
• Sikh Students Association
• Taiwanese American Union
• Teo-Chew Association
• Thai Smakom
• United Khmer Students
• Taiwanese American Union
• Vietnamese Student Union
• Vietnamese Language & Culture Committee

Asian Pacific American Community Research Roundtable

The Research Roundtable brings together community practitioners, graduate students, faculty, and researchers to discuss, identify and collaborate on communitybased research needs. The Research Roundtable was initiated by the Student and Community Projects Units and the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council -- a consortium of more than forty AAPI social service and advocacy organizations in the greater Los Angeles area. Through the years, other partners have included the University of Southern California, California State Universities at Los Angeles, Long Beach and Northridge, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the L.A. County Human Relations Commission.