APASA Spotlight: Gabriel Chen

Why did you apply to APASA?

I first heard about APASA through attending some of their events throughout my freshman year, such as the annual Night Market. Through experiencing great events, I was able to gain more exposure to the organization and learn about its mission in advocacy for the APA community. Highly motivated to help contribute towards APASA's impact on campus, I applied to join the intern program the following year.

Favorite APASA memory so far:

My favorite memory so far has to be our trip to Disneyland together! I really enjoyed spending time with this amazing group of people at THE happiest place on earth :-)

A significant cultural milestone for you:

When it was announced that Simu Liu would be starring as Shang-Chi in Marvel's upcoming movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings! Having watched him through his role in the Kim's Convenience series and through other media, it was great to know that he would be getting recognized for his talents as the star of the first Asian-led film in the Marvel franchise's history.

What does being APA mean to you?

To me, being APA means connecting with family. This definition encompasses those related and unrelated to me: these are people with whom I can share my culture and identity with, and learn more about in the process, fostering a sense of community overall.

If you could plan any event at USC, what would it be?

I would host a music festival for renowned APA artists across every genre, having multiple headliners featured in a large event spanning over the course of multiple days.

What is your long-term goal for APASA? 

My long-term goal for APASA would be for the organization to expand its member organization base even further to enhance the diversity of cultures and identities represented under the APASA name.

Thank you Gabriel!