Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Faculty and Staff Association
The Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Faculty / Staff Association (APIDA FSA) at the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) is dedicated to advocating for the APIDA community. We aim to increase awareness of APIDA issues and foster a more inclusive and informed campus environment. Through education, cultural engagement, and community-building, we support the diverse voices and experiences of APIDA students, faculty, and staff across Cypress College, Fullerton College, and North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE)
Who We Are
The APIDA FSA is open to all NOCCCD faculty and staff who are interested in deepening their understanding of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American cultures and contributing to a supportive and inclusive campus community.
What We Do
- Advocate for APIDA voices and visibility within the district.
- Educate the campus community on issues impacting APIDA populations.
- Support students through scholarships, mentorship, and cultural programming.
- Collaborate with campus and community partners to celebrate APIDA heritage and resilience.
Membership & Dues
Membership fee is $100 annually. The membership dues directly support the following:
The APIDA Scholarship Program
Your contribution helps fund scholarships awarded annually to one student from each NOCCCD campus—Cypress College, Fullerton College, and NOCE—empowering APIDA students to pursue their educational goals.
Professional Development Opportunities
Members gain access to workshops, guest speaker events, and leadership development sessions focused on issues relevant to the APIDA community and higher education professionals.
Networking & Community Building
Join a supportive network of faculty and staff committed to advocacy, cultural celebration, and mutual support. Regular mixers, cultural events, and collaborative initiatives provide space to connect, share experiences, and build lasting relationships.
Whether you're looking to make a difference, grow your skills, or find a community, the APIDA FSA welcomes you.
Organization Resources
| Position | Member | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| President | Jeannie Mitsch | Cypress College |
| Vice President | Renay Laguana-Ferinac | Cypress College |
| Bylaws Chair | Marwin Luminarias | Fullerton College |
| Secretary | Brittany Hamer | Cypress College |
| Treasurer | Kevin Tran | Fullerton College |
| Communications | Marcie Kawagawa | Cypress College |
| District Website | Marwin Luminarias | Fullerton College |
| Cypress College Liaison | TBD | Cypress College |
| Fullerton College Liaison | Naomi Abesamis | Fullerton College |
| NOCE Liaison | Khanh Ninh | NOCE |
| Social Media | Kendrick Kim | Fullerton College |
| Scholarship Coordinator | Thydan Huynh | Fullerton College |
| Scholarship Committee | Sarah Coburn MyMy Lam Denise Vo | Cypress College |
| Scholarship Committee | Thydan Huynh | Fullerton College |
| Scholarship Committee | Khanh Ninh Michelle Tee | NOCE |
The APIDA faculty and staff association seeks to recognize outstanding students who exemplify the spirit of APIDA by achieving academic excellence and demonstrating personal commitment and dedicated service to their community. The APIDA scholarship awards $300 to a currently enrolled student in any field at each of the NOCCCD campuses. APIDA Scholarship Information
APIDA Events
NOCCCD Disclaimer Statement
The views, opinions and conclusions expressed on the Faculty and Staff Association webpage are those of the authors and organization and not necessarily those of the North Orange County Community College District, its administration, or its Board of Trustees. Outbound links, such as third party websites or personal pages of NOCCCD's students, faculty and staff represent individual views and do not necessarily reflect the views and/or policies of the District. NOCCCD and its designees do not guarantee the authenticity, accuracy, appropriateness, nor security of any link, website or content linked thereto. NOCCCD urges site visitors to exercise all due caution and internet security best practices when accessing any unfamiliar website.
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