Asian/Pacific Islander (API) and Middle Eastern (ME) Graduation is an annual celebration to commemorate the graduation success and achievements of API/ME identified graduating students along with honoring staff, and faculty that have contributed work, community, and service to the Asian/American Desi American Pacific Islander* and Middle Eastern communities at SSU.
*This is an acknowledgement that the API name is very limited to the breadth of the unique and vast ethnicities and cultures of the Asian countries and Diaspora, which includes but not limited to: Pacific Islander, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Desi, Desi American, Southwest Asian, Asian, Asian American, Multiracial, Multiethnic, Multinational, Transnational Adoptees, and more.
2024 Asian American, Pacific Islander, & Middle Eastern Cultural Graduation Celebration Program
Student Processional
Welcome and Land Acknowledgment
Joanie Ly, Program Manager Yardi Scholarship, University of California, Berkeley (Emcee)
Greeting from University Leadership
Monir Ahmed, Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Special Remarks
Mike Lee, Ph.D., President of Sonoma State University
Asian Pacific Islander/Middle Eastern Graduation Student Speaker
Kristine Pham, Graduate, Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy with Concentration in Law and Applied Ethics
Alumnae Speaker
Leah Vallespin, Student Access and Success Administrative Support Coordinator
Performance
Presentation of 2024 Asian Pacific Islander/Middle Eastern Graduates
Katherine H. Lee, Ph.D, Professor of American Multicultural Studies
Keynotes Address
Fanny Lam, Executive Director of APA Family Support Services and Planning Commission Member at the City of Rohnert Park
Closing Remarks
Lauren Morimoto, Ph.D., Department Chair and Professor of Kinesiology
Performance