New center provides opportunities for cultural awareness and community

By Mark Muckenfuss

Tree branches filled with cherry blossoms and flitting birds dominate the back wall of Cal State Monterey Bay’s new Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Center. It was the first decoration Bernadette Ortiz decided upon for the new space in Redwood Hall. It felt good to her. 

Ortiz is the administrative and budget coordinator for the Office of Community and Belonging, which oversaw the project. She said she wanted “something with a good energy. You want to be able to feel welcome.”

Other decor included vibrant graphics of famous people – along with quotes relating to their thoughts on community and diversity – inspirational posters, a couch, beanbag chairs and a multi-person desk.

It’s a small space, but those addressing the crowd of 120 people who gathered for a ribbon cutting on Thursday, April 24, ahead of May's Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, said its impact is expected to be great.

“It is a powerful statement about the vision of our university,” CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones said before recognizing the “dedication of everyone who has worked so hard to create this space. We can’t wait to see all the memories and moments that are going to be born here.”

Nizhoni Chow-Garcia, associate vice president of Community and Belonging, said the new center will be “a sanctuary where our dreams, our stories can be heard and are seen. My dream is that this space becomes a heartbeat of community. May it spark change that ripples far beyond its walls.”

The center is one of several now housed in what used to be the Student Center. Immediately next door to the APIDA Center is the Rainbow Raft Pride Center. El Centro, a Latine-oriented space, is also in the building. Work on a women’s center is expected to begin in the fall, with a Native American center and an accessibility and disability center expected to follow. 

The affinity spaces promote community, sponsor cultural activities and are open to everyone.

Professor Phuong Nguyen, chair of the Humanities and Communication department, said such spaces create “an extra sense of belonging. It’s nice to have a smaller community where you get to know people and feel connected to the campus.” 

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Marylou Shockley, interim dean of the College of Business, read a poem she had written and provided the center with a framed copy, complete with Chinese calligraphy. She said the center was an example of CSUMB’s makeup.

“People from all walks of life, that’s what makes this campus work,” she said. 

Sara Jew, a biology major in her fourth year, said she appreciated having a place that spoke to her and her heritage.

“We all have a need to feel at home,” Jew said. “That’s what this center is. As we open the door, let’s remember we’re not just creating space, we’re building community.”