Programs |
Guiding Principles |
Scholar Recognition |
Regional Scholar Networks
APIASF Blog: re/present: live. learn. lead. |
Higher Education Summit |
PEER Project |
Programs and Services
Regional Scholar Networks
With chapters currently running in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, the APIASF Regional Scholar Networks (RSN) bring together Scholars attending school and Alumni residing in a local area for community-building, social and professional networking activities. Each RSN is led by a team of Scholars and/or Alumni who serve as Regional Representatives - organizing social, professional development, outreach and other service activities for local APIASF and GMS Scholars and Alumni.
History of Regional Scholar Networks
In 2006, the staff at APIASF began holding Student-Alumni Relations Dialogues (STAR-D's), bringing together Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholars and Alumni for community building, information sharing, and discussion. Taking advantage of staff's frequent travel schedules, these events allowed the staff to meet their geographically dispersed Scholars in person, an opportunity not frequently available otherwise. More valuable, however, was the opportunity for Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholars to meet, interact, and establish social and professional connections. These dialogues were met with great enthusiasm among the Scholar community, and interest in creating more sustainable local networks of Scholars naturally developed. The concept of STAR-D's has thus evolved to what is now known as Regional Scholar Networks, and unites the two Scholar communities served by APIASF the organization, APIASF and GMS/APIASF Scholars. APIASF successfully piloted the Regional Scholar Networks in Boston/Cambridge and New York City during the 2009-2010 academic year and launched a third chapter in Philadelphia in 2010-2011. During the 2012-2013 year, APIASF will be piloting elements of the RSNs in Seattle, WA. Each network is led by Scholars who serve as regional representatives, supporting and implementing social, service, and professional development activities for local area Scholars.
Purpose of Regional Scholar Networks
The purposes of the Regional Scholar Networks are to:
- Strengthen the network of Scholars and Alumni in a local area
- Enhance the connection Scholars and Alumni have with APIASF as an organization
- Facilitate Scholars' and Alumni's continual engagement with their respective scholarship programs
- Cultivate the academic, professional, and leadership development of Scholars and Alumni
- Provide opportunities for Scholars and Alumni to acquire, develop, and exercise leadership skills
RSNs by Location
Below are descriptions of each Regional Scholar Network, including the names of Scholars and alumni who served as RSN Regional Representatives. Collectively, the RSN program has brought together over 100 Scholars and alumni across all three locations. These networks have hosted a wide array of events and activities for their members; some of these activities and events include study breaks during exam time, social gatherings over dinner or coffee, a networking event, a city-wide scavenger hunt, a career panel, or a scholarship outreach activity or mock interviews, to name a few.
Boston, MA
The Boston RSN was piloted in the spring of 2009. Being the first network, the Boston RSN successfully paved the way for the expansion of the program in other locations and continues to thrive as a bridge for connecting Scholars.
Regional Representatives
|
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
2011-2012 |
2012-2013 |
New York, NY
The New York City RSN formation soon followed the Boston RSN in the fall of 2009. With a strong presence of Scholars and alumni, the NYC RSN quickly made effective strides in creating a sustainable Scholar community and professional network.
Regional Representatives
|
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
2011-2012 |
2012-2013 |
Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia RSN is the newest addition to the RSN program. The network was formed in the fall of 2010 and has successfully brought together many Scholars and alumni dedicated towards advancing the mission of APIASF in the Philadelphia area through social, professional, and outreach activities.
Regional Representatives
|
2010-2011 |
2011-2012 |
2012-2013 |