Gilman Scholarship: Scholarly Potential and Life-Changing Opportunities

Thursday, Jan 29 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Explore NISO-coordinated scholarships with special attention to the scholarships related to Asia. Hear from recent Gilman Program recipients about their experiences studying abroad in Singapore and Taiwan.

Guest Speakers:

The National and International Scholarship Office (NISO) at Purdue works with students to develop their scholarly potential and pursue life-changing, career-building experiences by guiding motivated students with world-changing ideas through the process of applying for 14 scholarships in NISO’s portfolio, most of which require campus nomination through the office.

Brogan Holt is a junior in Integrated Business and Engineering. 
In May 2025, Brogan studied Business Mandarin Chinese and global teamwork from the perspective of East Asian corporate culture at National Taiwan Normal University through the Gilman Scholarship Program.

Kendall Lutz is a senior in Mechanical Engineering. In May 2025, Kendall studied Bioinspired Materials and Structures in Singapore through the Gilman Scholarship Program.

Leah Criss is the Scholar Development Advisor for NISO. 
As a former Fulbright Taiwan English Teaching Assistant, Leah is passionate about connecting students to opportunities in Asia.

Co-sponsors: This Lunch & Learn session is generously co-sponsored by the National and International Scholarships Office.

 From Student to Standout: 
Navigating Personal Branding

Thursday, Feb 05 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Explore how to hone your narrative and purpose, connect with the stories of Boilermakers, and apply your personal brand for opportunities at Purdue and beyond.

Guest Speaker: 

Thendral Kamal is a senior studying Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering and Political Science (BSAAE’26) at Purdue University. Since age 13, she has worked toward her dream of becoming the first Indian woman to set foot on Mars. 

Her passion to pursue a career in aerospace solidified when she designed and flew a reduced-gravity experiment onboard a parabolic flight, at age 16. This experience has propelled her into industry roles at Delta Air Lines in aircraft structural support, and at SES Satellites in space sustainability. 

As Purdue’s first international Brooke Owens Fellow, Thendral advocated for STEM outreach in rural American communities at the White House. Her advocacy and leadership have drawn recognition from former VP Kamala Harris, Vogue, and the Society of Women Engineers, which recently named her an Outstanding Collegiate Member. 

A dynamic storyteller and speaker, Thendral has captivated audiences across the globe with her journey, from delivering her first TEDx talk, ‘We Choose to Go to Mars,’ in Dubai, to presenting the Neil Armstrong Space Prize in Washington, D.C. Today, she continues to engage thousands of followers on social media, inspiring the next generation to dream beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.

Local Businesses Panel: Self-made, Community-rooted Entrepreneurship

Thursday, Feb 12 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Ask how local businesses establish themselves, 
identify and serve needs, find personal satisfaction, and 
continue operating in the greater Lafayette community.

Guest Speakers:

• Don Dennis,
Co-Owner of Rat Pak Venue & Mobile DJs 
• Jack Hsiao,
Founder of
Latea (CA, CO, IL, IN) 
• Amy Hysong, CAM,
Property Manager at
The Landing Apartments 
• Tina Minjares,
Owner
of Banh Mi & Polished Nail Bar 
• Viviana Salazar
Co-Owner of G&V Charcuterie and
Freelance Marketer for Mama Ines  

Co-sponsors: This Lunch & Learn session is generously co-sponsored by Purdue Graduate Student Government.

Branding Heritage: Exploring the Economic and Linguistic Vitality of Little Saigon

Thursday, Feb 19 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Journey through the vibrant Little Saigon, a Vietnamese enclave in California, to explore how commercial signage reflects economic vitality and the subtle balance of business growth and cultural preservation.

Guest Speaker: 

Nguyen Huu Bao Le is a PhD Candidate in the Language and Literacy Education Program at Purdue University. Nguyen's research examines how linguistic landscapes reflect language policies and identity. As a Bilsland Fellow placed at the AAARCC, Nguyen leads the Language & Conversation programs to foster intercultural communication and language learning. Originally from Vietnam, he offers a unique 'insider-outsider' lens, examining how communities negotiate heritage and modernity through the commercial display of language, culture, and economic vitality within urban public spheres. 

Where Entrepreneurship Can Take You: Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation 

Thursday, Feb 26 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Discover how entrepreneurial skills, mindset, and tools developed at Purdue go beyond a main gig or side hustle
to create value in startups, industry, and society. 

Guest Speakers:

Brenda Klinkhamer is the Senior Academic Advisor and Student Services Coordinator for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program. As an educator for the last 20 years, owner of a local small business, and a life longer learner, Brenda is passionate about meeting students where they are and helping them further their education. Brenda believes the ENTR Certificate allows students to gain a competitive edge that sets them apart from others in their field.    

Janith D'Alwis is a third-year studying Cybersecurity and History, and a student ambassador for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program. He has experience in security consulting and IT operations and hopes to launch his own venture in the cybersecurity space.

Tanvi Mathrubootham is a fourth-year studying Computer Science and Psychological Sciences, and a student ambassador for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program. She studied abroad at UNSW in Sydney in Spring 2025, where she was inspired by the vibrant juice shop culture she saw, and now she’s channeling that inspiration into building a startup-style juice shop at Purdue.

Purdue’s Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program is the university’s hub for cross-campus entrepreneurship education, serving thousands of students from all academic disciplines. Administered through the Office of the Provost and housed in the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship, the program offers a flexible, multidisciplinary curriculum designed to complement any major. 

Healing Beyond the Therapy Room: Stories, Snacks, and Psychological Health

Thursday, Mar 5 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Reflect on how food, storytelling, and psychology intersect to support psychological health, challenge stigma, and build connection across cultures.

Guest Speaker:

Mohamad A. Almakky (MA, MEd) is a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Intern, Purdue CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services). Mohamad is pursuing his doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of Indianapolis. He is a lecturer, life coach, and founder of nBakes granola bars. His interest in psychology began at age 12 and grew through years of teaching and clinical trauma-focused work. A devoted coffee enthusiast, he hopes to open a community-centered coffee chain in Saudi Arabia. His YouTube vlogs reflect his experience as an international student in the U.S., using storytelling to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about psychological health.

See Flyer

Small Step, Giant Leap: Mastering Business Etiquette for Career Success

Thursday, Mar 12 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Location Shared Upon Registration

Do you know how important business etiquette is to your career success? Do you know what to expect and how to perform properly and professionally in the business world? Take a small step and join CCO consultants to learn about business etiquette to prepare for the giant leap of your career success.

Registration is required, and seating is limited.

This Lunch & Learn is hosted by the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) and co-sponsored by AAARCC, BCC, LCC, LGBTQ, and NAECC.

Student Entrepreneurship Expo: Showcasing Boilermaker Creativity

Thursday, Mar 26 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AARCC, 915 5th St

Curious about how Purdue students turn their passions into businesses? Walk around the AAARCC to visit booths featuring student entrepreneurs to discover ways to apply personal, cultural, and economic interests towards starting a business while balancing academic life.   

Meet the student entrepreneurs showcasing their businesses, products, and services: 

• Linzzi Ji - Online community platform to help international students navigate the US, build real friendships, and feel at home 
• Song (Theo) Nguyen - Photobooth rental and photo strip printing
for student organization events on campus 
• Peter Pham - Tech accessories for exploring niche interests and workflows 
• Dalena Phan - Photography for visibility, communication, and storytelling.
Language barriers and accessibility in healthcare. 
• Shahnaz Safitri - Talent development center for individuals and organizations
using data-driven approaches to personal and professional growth 

Student presenters will be sharing reflections on their entrepreneurship experiences, stories of their business and brand, and their journey of making: art, food, media, space, technology, community, and more. All student presenters will be featured in AAARCC’s Spring 2026 MADE, an AAARCC student entrepreneurship zine and expo recap, with information about the presenters, their businesses, and ways to reach out in the future.    

View MADE Recap Zine (coming soon!) 

Co-sponsors: 

The Student Entrepreneurship Expo is part of the AAARCC Spring 2026 Lunch and Learn series and is co-sponsored by Purdue Graduate Student Government. 

TBA

Thursday, Apr 23 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Details coming soon!

AAARCC Tabling at Earhart Dining Hall

Tuesday, Feb 17 | 5 - 9 PM | Earhart Dining Hall (1275 1st St)

The AAARCC will be decorating Earhart Dining Hall and tabling in the entryway from 5-7pm. 
Stop by to learn about this holiday tradition & AAARCC's upcoming Lunar New Year events.

Enjoy japchae, shrimp potsticker & sauce, BBQ pork bao bun, rice, fuji apple,
Asian pear, and mandarin orange with family and friends as part of the Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras Special Dinner Menu from 5-9pm at Earhart Dining Hall.

AAARCC Tabling at Tarkington Hall

Tuesday, Feb 17 | 7 - 8 PM | Tarkington Hall (1165 W Stadium Ave)

Learn about the Chinese zodiac animals and AAARCC's upcoming Lunar New Year events at our table while enjoying tea and snacks provided by Tarkington Hall RAs.

AAARCC Tabling at Meredith South

Saturday, Feb 21 | 5-7pm | Meredith South Residence Hall (1225 1st Street) MPR

Learn about the Chinese zodiac animals and AAARCC's upcoming Lunar New Year events at our table while enjoying tea and cakes provided by Meredith South RAs.

Paper Ornaments with CARE

Wednesday, Feb 18 | 3 - 4pm | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Learn about healthy relationships and Lunar New Year-themed paper cutting and folding crafts with advocates from the Center for Advocacy, Response & Education (CARE).

Tea & Dried Fruit Snack with Tea Club

Monday, Feb 23 | 1 - 3 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Enjoy hot tea with a variety of dried fruit snacks.

Mahjong & Pastries with Mahjong Club

Tuesday, Feb 24 | 1 - 3 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Learn how to play Mahjong while enjoying freshly baked pastries.

Writing with Calligraphy Club

Wednesday, Feb 25 | 12:30 - 3 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Learn to write Chinese characters in calligraphy style.

Fortunes & Ornaments with CAPS

Wednesday, Feb 25 | 4 - 5 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Write Wishing Tree fortunes and learn how to craft paper ornaments with liaisons from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

Mario Kart with Nintendo Club

Thursday, Feb 26 | 1 - 3 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Kick start the new year with a Mario Kart Tournament on Switch 2!

Bua Loy Making with Purdue University Thai Student Association

Thursdsay, Feb 26 | 3 - 5 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Learn how to make and enjoy Bua Loy - a Thai rice dessert.

Tangyuan Workshop with Hong Kong Student Association & Taiwanese Student Association

Friday, Feb 27 | 1 - 3 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Learn how to make tangyuan - a traditional winter and spring dessert.

Host an Activity Table

Friday, Feb 27 | 4 - 5 PM | AAARCC (915 5th St)

Enjoy spring rolls and learn about Lunar New Year vegetables.

Lunar New Year, observed by over 2 billion people around the world, is a 15-day celebration marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar.

The AAARCC hosts one of the largest Lunar New Year events in Indiana for all students to engage in their unique backgrounds, learn with peers about the ways different cultures express traditions, celebrate art and community, and communicate across differences.

Host an Activity Table

We encourage registered student organizations and campus units from the Purdue West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses to host an activity table! The activity tables showcase historical and modern Lunar New Year and spring-month festivities through exchanging crafts, games, languages, and traditions with other students.

The AAARCC will collaborate with participating organizations to plan activity tables that include an activity, giveaway, and reflection component.

Join the Celebration Team

We wouldn't be able to host a successful Lunar New Year Celebration without the help of student volunteers! This is a great opportunity for students to connect with peers and positively impact the Boilermaker community.

Student volunteers will develop skills in photography, customer service, event management, facilitating reflections, and more. All volunteers will undergo an onboarding process, so prior experience is not required.

Faculty Note: Please share this opportunity with students that you interact with or classes that you teach. If you would like to assign this volunteer opportunity as part of your class, please email us at aaarcc@purdue.edu.

Performance Line-up

To help us embody the energy of the Fire Horse, the Lunar New Year Celebration will feature nine performing arts groups from the Boilermaker community. We are excited to welcome back to the stage: AAARCC Jade Collective Vocal Ensemble, AAARCC Lion Dance Team, Korean Harmony Dance Company, Purdue Chinese Performing Arts Troupe, Purdue Karate Club, Traditional Vietnamese Fan Dance Team, Edgelea Elementary School, and Okinawa Yuyukai.

View Performance Flyer

Jade Collective is the AAARCC vocal ensemble, founded to explore the variety of Asian and Asian American music and compositions. Experience the beauty of Asian musical traditions with the AAARCC's Jade Collective Vocal Ensemble as they partner with Edgelea Elementary School students to perform a special set of songs to welcome the new year with happiness and excitement. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate and connect through music!

Students from Edgelea Elementary’s High Ability classes will partner with AAARCC's Jade Collective to present a series of delightful Chinese New Year songs and dances. Dressed in red, inspired by Chinese culture, these young performers will showcase their talents through joyful melodies and lively choreography. We hope this performance will lead in a spirited Year of the Fire Horse!

The Lion Dance Team is one of AAARCC's performing art initiatives, founded in 2020 as a way to preserve the lion dancing performing art heritage and brighten community spirits during the throws of the pandemic. Since then, the team has been active both on and off campus, educating and spreading awareness of Asian & Asian American cultures through interactive performances, workshops, and collaborative events.

The Purdue Karate Club trains in the Goju-Ryu style. Gōjū-ryū (剛柔流), (Japanese for "hard-soft style") is one of the main traditional Okinawan styles of karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. Practices: Tue/Thur 8:30-10:30PM in Lambert Fieldhouse, 2nd floor, and Fri 5:30-7:30PM in CoRec MP5. No sign up or experience needed. Just show up and try class out!

The Traditional Vietnamese Fan Dance Team brings to life the grace and beauty of Vietnamese culture through flowing movement and timeless attire. Dressed in traditional áo dài and guided by soft blue fans, we move as one to the melody of Kẽo Cà Kẽo Kẹt. The performance reflects the charm and spirit of Vietnamese tradition— lighthearted, graceful, and full of life —expressed through synchronized and elegant movements.

The Korean Fan Dance (Buchae-chum) is a traditional Korean dance that incorporates fans to create dazzling and graceful movements. The choreography embodies elements of nature, depicting blooming flowers, flowing waves, and the fluttering of butterflies. Buchae-chum has evolved under the influence of both royal court dances and folk dances from the Joseon Dynasty and is often performed at festivals, traditional performances, and cultural events.

Purdue Chinese Performing Art Troupe (PCPAT) is active in performing traditional Chinese dances and music at Purdue University, the City of West Lafayette, and the Greater Lafayette community in Indiana. Officially founded in January 2011 as a volunteer organization, PCPAT is affiliated with the College of Language and Culture at Purdue and consists of faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Purdue University and residents in the Greater Lafayette area. Our mission is to contribute to the cultural outlooks within Purdue University and the community through performing Chinese arts.

Okinawa YuYuKai (or fun and friendship association) is an Indianapolis-based 501©(3) non-profit that shares the customs and traditions of the Ryukyu Islands and Okinawa, Japan through the sharing of music, dance, and culture. YuYukai’s main way of doing this is through the performance and teaching of Eisa, a kind of energetic, powerful drum-dancing from Okinawa that is now performed all over the world. YuYuKai’s motto is “Fellowship and Goodwill can grow through exposure to culture” and we plan to continue building community relationships while introducing Okinawan culture.

Arthur Sze's The White Orchard: Selected Interviews, Essays, and Poems in conjunction with the English Department 2026 Literary Awards

Tuesday, March 31 | 4–5 PM | AAARCC (915 5th Street)

Join for guided conversations examining The White Orchard and the evolution of Arthur Sze’s compositions, his decades teaching poetry, and his deep connection to the cultures and landscape of New Mexico.

Free books will be provided for the first 15 individuals who RSVP and attend the book discussion.

This event is co-sponsored by Purdue University Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center and the Department of English. On April 15, 2026, join us for a keynote talk featuring Arthur Sze.

The book discussion event is free and open to all Boilermakers. RSVP and reading the book prior to the event is not required to participate. If you need accommodation to participate in this event, please contact (765)496-0488 or email aaarcc@purdue.edu

APA Heritage Month Keynote with Arthur Sze in conjunction with the Department of English 2026 Literary Awards Presentation

Wednesday, April 15 | 7PM
Fowler Hall (Stew 130) | 128 Memorial Mall Dr

Join the AAARC and Department of English in celebrating APA Heritage Month with a keynote and poetry reading from guest speaker Arthur Sze.

Arthur Sze is a poet, translator, and editor, and in 2025 he was named the 25th Poet Laureate of the United States. He is the author of twelve books of poetry, including Into the Hush (2025) and The White Orchard: Selected Interviews, Essays, and Poems (2025); The Glass Constellation: New and Collected Poems (2021); Sight Lines (2019), for which he won the National Book Award; Compass Rose (2014); The Ginkgo Light (2009); Quipu (2005); The Redshifting Web: Poems 1970–1998 (1998); and Archipelago (1995). He also authored Transient Worlds: On Translating Poetry (forthcoming from Copper Canyon Press, 2026), The Silk Dragon II: Translations of Chinese Poetry (2024), and edited Chinese Writers on Writing (2010). His poetry has been translated into fifteen languages, including Chinese, Dutch, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Sze received the 2025 Bollingen Prize for lifetime achievement in American poetry, the 2024 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry, 2024 National Book Foundation Science + Literature award, the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, the Shelley Memorial Award, the Jackson Poetry Prize, a Lannan Literary Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship, among others. A chancellor emeritus of the Academy of American Poets and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he was the 2023–2024 Mohr Visiting Poet at Stanford University. Professor emeritus at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), Sze was the first poet laureate of Santa Fe, where he lives with his wife, the poet Carol Moldaw.

This program is co-sponsored by the Department of English and Purdue University Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center. The APA Heritage Month keynote is free and open to all Boilermakers. For more information about the Literary Awards, please visit the Department of English event page.

Join us at the AAARCC (915 5th St) on Tuesday, March 31, 4-5pm for a book discussion and examination of Sze's The White Orchard: Selected Interviews, Essays, and Poems

Faculty Note: Please share this opportunity with students that you interact with or classes that you teach. If you would like to assign this opportunity as part of your class, please email us at aaarcc@purdue.edu.

Spring Luau

Friday, April 24 | TBA Time | 5th Street Alley (AAARCC 915 5th St)

Join the AAARCC and NAECC in celebrating Native Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures! Enjoy a Hula performance and dance workshop, spam musubi wrapping demonstration, DIY aromatherapy session, and making your own candy and paper flower lei. This event is part of the AAARCC’s celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This program is free and open to all Boilermakers. More information about this event to be announced!