Student Starts Asian American Student Alliance
Posted: November 07, 2019 | Author: Savannah Byers | Read Time: 2 minutes
Shortly before her first semester, Sabrinah Cava made a last-minute decision to come to Southern Utah University all the way from Juneau, Alaska. After arriving, she immediately connected with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), which would transform her college experience.
“The CDI has shaped my college experience here at SUU in so many ways,” Cava said. “The CDI is where I felt the most comfortable being myself, and where I met all of my CDI family. It gave me a home away from home.”
Cava got involved with the Black Student Union (BSU) her freshman year. She said both the BSU and the CDI helped her adjust to the culture shock of moving from Alaska to Utah.
“It took me a long time to adjust, but it would’ve been longer without the CDI,” Cava said. “I loved the aspect of having a family away from home. It helped me be a better student because of the expectations.”
In 2018, the BSU President encouraged her to start a club for Asian American students because the CDI didn’t have one yet. With some help, Cava began the Asian American Student Alliance (AASA) before the end of 2018.
Her goals for AASA this year are to start a good core group, and collaborate with the other clubs in the CDI. They’d like to create an event, “All Around Asia”, similar to the BSU’s Step Show or the Polynesian Showcase.
“AASA has shown me that no matter what you know about your own culture, you can always learn something new,” Cava said. “We encourage any student to come. You don’t have to be Asian. All races and ethnicities are invited to come and ask questions and get involved.”
Cava is majoring in nutrition with a concentration in Allied Health Sciences. She’d like to be a physician assistant after graduation.
Club meetings for the Asian American Student Alliance are held every other Monday at 6:00 p.m. in the CDI. Learn more about the Asian American Student Alliance at SUU.
Tags: Center for Diversity and Inclusion
