Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Affinity Resource Group
Welcome to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American(APIDA) Affinity Group! Our mission is to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment at Wake Forest University for individuals interested in issues facing the APIDA community. Our group serves as a resource to Wake Forest University to positively influence the environment and to assist the University in achieving its diversity, inclusion, and equity vision by creating awareness of our ARG, events, networking opportunities, and innovative ideas.
There are four primary objectives of the APIDA Affinity Resource Group. These objectives include:
1. Foster a sense of belonging, peer relationships, social events, and connections, and build an internal support system for WFU APIDA faculty and staff.
2. Connect with, and educate the group members and the broader university audience on APIDA culture, history, and current social issues.
3. Serve as institutional change advocates who can mobilize to provide diverse representation and authentic voices representing the APIDA population.
4. Assist in driving initiatives that maximize the personal and professional development of APIDA employees.
All interested WFU employees are welcome! We host programming and events throughout the year. Past and current examples include Family and Friends Social Hours, Reading Groups, etc. Want to learn more about the APIDA Affinity Group or receive updates on events and information? Contact Cherie Fu at fuy@wfu.edu or Yasuko Takata Railings at takatay@wfu.edu
APIDA Directory
Executive Team
Cherie Fu
Associate Director, MSBA Integrative Student Services/School of Business
APIDA Staff Chair
fuy@wfu.edu
If I had to give a presentation with no time to prepare, I would talk about… The world would be a much better place if everyone engaged in therapy/counseling.
Yasuko Takata Railings
Professor of the Practice in Japanese/East Asian Languages & Cultures
APIDA Faculty Chair
takatay@wfu.edu
If I had to give a presentation with no time to prepare, I would talk about… Why it’s impossible to keep squirrels away from bird feeders/Ideas to engage language students with community needs.
Miaohua Jiang
Professor/Mathematics
APIDA Secretary
jiangm@wfu.edu
If I had to give a presentation with no time to prepare, I would talk about… What the best math students do.
Andy Chan
Vice President/Office of Personal and Career Development
APIDA Executive Champion
achan@wfu.edu
If I had to give a presentation with no time to prepare, I would talk about… 1) How to develop career and life vision, 2) How to get a job, 3) How to learn to swim
Members
Linda Aubrey Higgins
Associate Director of Financial Aid & Student Accounts/School of Professional Studies
higginlg@wfu.edu
If I had to give a presentation with no time to prepare, I would talk about… Being Black and Korean in America.
Christina Canon
Study Abroad Advisor/Center of Global Programs & Studies
canonc@wfu.edu
If I had to give a presentation with no time to prepare, I would talk about… The importance of studying abroad and immersing yourself in different cultures/Connection between language and culture.
Kevin Jung
Professor of Theological Ethics and moral Philosophy/Divinity School
jungk@wfu.edu
Lisa Kiang
Professor/Psychology
kiangl@wfu.edu
Derek Lee
Assistant Professor/English
leede@wfu.edu
If I had to give a presentation with no time to prepare, I would talk about… Superhero comics.
Ke Zhang Reid
Associate Professor/Biology
zhangk@wfu.edu
If I had to give a presentation with no time to prepare, I would talk about… Gene expression.