Message from the Director

From the Director:

To our collective, I extend my warmest blessings and hope you all are staying safe.

Welcome, New Aggies and Congratulations on your admission to UC Davis!

You achieved a momentous milestone, an accomplishment already worthwhile. For your journey ahead, you will continue to acquire many more accomplishments and perhaps some challenges. The Strategic Asian and Pacific Islander Retention Initiative is dedicated to supporting and uplifting you during all the seasons of happiness and adversity and we will continue to celebrate you even after your graduation day.

It is our mission to create and hold space, to build bridges, and provide guidance where we can. Please take some time to learn about our services and review some resources our scholars engage with. I look forward to having conversations with you, hearing about your next steps, and what you'd like to do while you're here at UC Davis. I hope to meet you in person on campus or see you in my virtual office space with some boba!

In community,

Kat Parpana, M.A.
Director
Strategic Asian and Pacific Islander Retention Initiative

Our Graphic Element

Inclusivity, Resilience, Family, Community, Leadership, Journey, Goals, Strengths. These are the words which inspire our Asian and Pacific Islander graphic element. This graphic element was a year-long process and was developed in partnership with the scholars of our AandPI community.

Why AandPI?

Championing the addition of ‘and’ is a visible marker of connectivity and a micro-affirmation, making clear the intention of the retention initiative as a bridge to all of UC Davis for our Asian and Pacific Islander scholars. AandPI more accurately describes the diversity of our community and affirms our commitment to living the Principles of Community.