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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:
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
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
Amy Watanabe (she/her)
APIDA Alliance Leader
Associate Head Coach, Women's Volleyball
[email protected] 303-615-0582Contact the APIDA Alliance Leaders
The APIDA Faculty and Staff Alliance is sanctioned by MSU Denver's Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Email APIDA Alliance