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Regional Scholar Networks
With chapters currently running in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, the APIASF Regional Scholar Networks (RSN) bring together Scholars attending school and Alumni residing in a local area for community-building, social and professional networking activities. Each RSN is led by a team of Scholars and/or Alumni who serve as Regional Representatives - organizing social, professional development, outreach and other service activities for local APIASF and GMS Scholars and Alumni.
History of Regional Scholar Networks
In 2006, the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) staff at APIASF began holding Student-Alumni Relations Dialogues (STAR-D's), bringing together Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) GMS Scholars and Alumni for community building and information sharing. Taking advantage of staff's frequent travel schedules, these events allowed the staff to meet their geographically dispersed Scholars in person. More valuable, however, was the opportunity for AANHPI Scholars to meet, interact, and establish social and professional connections.
In response to Scholar and Alumni feedback for a more formal structure where both Scholars and Alumni could build a sustainable community, network socially and professionally, share information and discuss topics of interest, the concept of STAR-D's evolved to what is now known as Regional Scholar Networks, and has been expanded to include recipients of the APIASF scholarship award in an effort to connect and unite the two Scholar communities served by APIASF the organization. As such, APIASF successfully piloted the Regional Scholar Networks in Boston/Cambridge and New York City during the 2009-2010 academic year and launched a third chapter in Philadelphia in 2010-2011.
Purpose of Regional Scholar Networks
The purposes of the Regional Scholar Networks are to:
- Strengthen the network of Scholars and Alumni in a local area
- Enhance the connection Scholars and Alumni have with APIASF as an organization
- Facilitate Scholars' and Alumni's continual engagement with their respective scholarship programs
- Cultivate the academic, professional, and leadership development of Scholars and Alumni
- Provide opportunities for Scholars and Alumni to acquire, develop, and exercise leadership skills
RSNs by Location
Below are descriptions of each Regional Scholar Network, including the names of Scholars and alumni who served as RSN Regional Representatives. Collectively, the RSN program has brought together over 100 Scholars and alumni across all three locations. These networks have hosted a wide array of events and activities for their members; some of these activities and events include study breaks during exam time, social gatherings over dinner or coffee, a networking event, a city-wide scavenger hunt, a career panel, or a scholarship outreach activity or mock interviews, to name a few.
Boston, MA
The Boston RSN was piloted in the spring of 2009. Being the first network, the Boston RSN successfully paved the way for the expansion of the program in other locations and continues to thrive as a bridge for connecting Scholars.
Regional Representatives
|
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
2011-2012 |
New York, NY
The New York City RSN formation soon followed the Boston RSN in the fall of 2009. With a strong presence of Scholars and alumni, the NYC RSN quickly made effective strides in creating a sustainable Scholar community and professional network.
Regional Representatives
|
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
2011-2012 |
Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia RSN is the newest addition to the RSN program. The network was formed in the fall of 2010 and has successfully brought together many Scholars and alumni dedicated towards advancing the mission of APIASF in the Philadelphia area through social, professional, and outreach activities.
Regional Representatives
|
2010-2011 |
2011-2012 |