PAACH @ 25: Fostering Community & Inspiring Leaders
Honoring 25 Years of the Pan-Asian American Community House at Penn
Since its founding in 2000, the Pan-Asian American Community House (PAACH) has served as a vibrant center for community building, cultural expression, advocacy, and leadership development at Penn. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, we invite you to reflect on our shared legacy and join us in envisioning the future of Asian Pacific Islander (API) solidarity and leadership on campus and beyond.
From art and storytelling to thought-provoking speaker programs, inspiring panels, and alumni gatherings, our anniversary programming highlights the many ways PAACH has fostered connection, advocacy, and leadership across generations. Whether you engaged with PAACH as a student, alumnus, faculty or staff member, or community supporter, this milestone honors your role in shaping our community.
We look forward to celebrating PAACH’s 25 years of Fostering Community & Inspiring Leaders with you!
On This Page
PAACH 25th Anniversary Celebration
On November 8, we welcomed nearly 200 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and PAACH supporters back to the ARCH to celebrate PAACH’s 25th Anniversary! Seeing generations of the PAACH family together was truly heartwarming and uplifting.
We kicked off the celebration with a joyful reunion reception, an electrifying performance by Penn Lions, and heartfelt remarks from university and PAACH leadership. Together, we honored the founding student leaders, advisors, staff, and Board of Advisors who have built and profoundly shaped PAACH’s foundation and legacy.
Our alumni panel shared powerful stories of activism, community, and leadership, reminding us how PAACH has nurtured belonging for 25 years and continues to shape alumni long after they leave Penn. Penn Atma then filled the auditorium with beautiful harmonies, sending us off with joy and gratitude.
To close the celebration, we unveiled a special community art piece made from paper cranes contributed by our community, honoring our hopes for the next generation of the API community. Come visit it in the ARCH Building!
Thanks to a generous gift from a longtime supporter, Chris Davies (C’81), we also launched the new PAACH API Leadership Series to cultivate leadership across generations. Most of all, thank you to ALL the students, alumni, staff, faculty, advisors, donors, and supporters who have built PAACH’s legacy over the past 25 years – and to all who will continue to uplift and support our community in the years ahead. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and all who celebrated with us in spirit. Here’s to the next 25 years!
Alumni Spotlight Program and Panels
As part of PAACH’s 25th Anniversary, the Alumni Spotlight Program involved alumni whose dedication, advocacy, and leadership have shaped PAACH and the API community at Penn and beyond. Through themed panels and featured profiles, we celebrate their impact across generations and inspire current and future leaders.
Additional Programs
Leading Beyond Penn: API Changemakers Across Industries (Panel 3)
Friday, March 27, 2026
ARCH 108
Alumni Panel: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Student Alumni Mixer & Lunch: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
This culminating panel showcased Asian Pacific Islander (API) alumni who made their mark across industries – from business and public service to education, media, tech, and more. These changemakers reflected on their journeys, shared lessons learned, and offered insights to current students on navigating identity, overcoming barriers, and leading with purpose in their professional lives.
From PAACH to Purpose: Where Community Begins, and Impact Continues
(Panel 2)
Saturday, November 8, 2025
ARCH Building
Reception: 12:00 PM – 12:40 PM
Programs (panel included): 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
From APSC to PAACH:
The Evolution of API Advocacy at Penn (Panel 1)
Friday, October 3, 2025
Panel: 12 – 1:00 PM
Student Alumni Mixer: 1:00 – 2:00 PM
ARCH 108 & ARCH Lobby
Panelists: Gloria Lee (C97, G98, WG07), Hoa Duong (C01), and Franklin Shen (ENG03)
Moderator: Megan Chan (W26)
This panel traced the legacy of student leadership and cross-campus advocacy that gave rise to APSC, PAACH, and other vital API spaces at Penn. Featuring alumni who helped organize, mobilize, and advocate for greater representation, the conversation highlighted the collective efforts of students, staff, and faculty that not only led to the founding of the Asian Pacific Student Coalition (APSC) and PAACH, but also fueled the ongoing growth and evolution of API advocacy and community building on campus. Moderated by a current APSC leader, the panel bridged generations of activism, reflection, and vision for the future.
Lights, Camera, Storytelling: A Fireside Chat with Award-Winning Journalist, MSNBC/NBC News Anchor, and Documentary Filmmaker Richard Lui
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
5:00 – 6:30 PM
Meet & Greet and Book-Signing: 6:30 – 7:00 PM
ARCH 208
This special fireside chat featured Richard Lui, award-winning journalist, MSNBC/NBC News anchor, and documentary filmmaker.
Facilitated by Karu Kozuma, Vice Provost for University Life, this dynamic conversation explored the intersections of identity, storytelling, and leadership.
Richard Lui shared insights from his 30-year career in journalism, including his historic role as the first Asian American male to anchor a daily national cable news broadcast. His acclaimed documentaries Sky Blossom and Unconditional highlighted powerful stories of caregiving, mental health, and the Asian American experience. A civil rights reporter and bestselling author, Richard used storytelling to amplify marginalized voices and explore the impact of selflessness. His perspective was shaped by a background in tech, an MBA from Michigan, and his journey as a first-generation Asian American.
PAACH Mural 2025
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 PM
ARCH Building Main Lobby
In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and the kickoff of the Pan-Asian American Community House (PAACH) 25th Anniversary, the PAACH Mural 2025 was unveiled. The event featured a community celebration and a catered lunch.
Click the Penn Today article to read more about the event and the PAACH Mural, “1,000 Paper Cranes Mandala.”
Paper Crane Making Workshop
Wednesday, September, 10, 2025
4:00 – 5:00 PM
ARCH 108
This relaxing and creative Paper Crane Making Workshop invited participants to fold paper cranes that would be included in the PAACH Community Mural, which was unveiled at PAACH’s 25th Anniversary in November. Participants added their touch to the mural’s message of unity and transformation while enjoying delicious boba and connecting with community. No experience was needed, and all materials were provided.
Participants whose paper cranes were randomly selected received a special prize during the PAACH 25th Anniversary Celebration.
History
In the fall of 1999, an ad hoc committee of the 1999-2000 Asian Pacific Student Coalition board launched a campus-wide campaign for a Pan-Asian American resource center. The SPEAKOUT! Rally was organized to gain support and publicity for this initiative. Petitions were also circulated to push for the creation of this resource center.
On November 15th, 1999 a large group of students demanded a meeting with then President, Dr. Judith Rodin. A declaration from APSC and constituent groups, campus groups, and coalitions was presented for the need of the APA resource center.
A preliminary PAACH proposal was submitted to the University President on November 24. In February, student, staff, and faculty supporters met with the President to discuss the implementation of the proposal. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Office of the President committed to the establishment of the Pan Asian American Community House at Penn.
The Grand Opening of PAACH was on November 11th, 2000 – only a year after the SPEAKOUT! Rally, and PAACH signature programs soon followed.
More info about PAACH’s history here.