Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS) is a department within the Division of Student Affairs that offers an array of programming designed to educate and empower students. We strive to create unique learning opportunities that include leadership development, advocacy, and community involvement. We understand the distinctive needs among the different ethnicities within our Asian Pacific American community, and we succeed in deriving strength from our diversity. We believe in a pan-Asian Pacific American identity that is rooted in the Civil Rights Movement, and continues to grow in the transnational sphere.
Sumun L. Pendakur, Director
Sumun (Sumi) Pendakur is the Director of the Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS) department at USC. Pendakur is a graduate of Northwestern University with a double major in Women’s Studies and History and a Minor in Spanish. She also has an M.A. in Student Affairs from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Higher Education at USC. Pendakur has played many roles – as a student activist in the struggle for Asian American Studies; as an active Ally to the LGBT community speaking on panels about sexual orientation, gender identity, and social justice; and as a Student Affairs professional deeply interested in issues of access and equity. She conducts a diverse array of social justice workshops, from understanding the roots of stereotypes to shattering class privilege to becoming an advocate.
Sumi is involved with a number of community-based organizations, and serves on the Board of Directors of the South Asian Network, a major grassroots human and civil rights non-profit in Southern California. On campus, Sumi currently serves on the Student Recognition Selection Committee, the USC Spectrum Advisory Board, as an SJACS Advisor, as an active member of the Faculty/Staff LGBT Ally program, as an advisor to a number of student organizations, and on a number of interview committees for faculty and staff.
She is also involved with professional organizations such as NASPA, ACPA, and NCORE, having held leadership positions and presented at national conferences on a regular basis.
Jade K. Agua, Assistant Director
Originally from San Jose, California, Jade Agua graduated from USC in 2005 with a B.A. in Sociology. During her time on campus, Jade held many leadership positions including President of Troy Philippines and Assembly Chair of Asian Pacific American Student Assembly (APASA). After graduation, Jade worked at community-based organization Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP) until November 2007 when she left her position as Community Program Manager.
Since moving to Los Angeles, Jade has been involved in a variety of community-based and nonprofit organizations including interning at FilAm ARTS and Curatorial Assistance Traveling Exhibitions (CATE). Jade had also volunteered as a Vendor Coordinator for the Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC), as a docent at the Chinese American Museum (CAM), and at Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) in various capacities.
Currently, Jade is serving on the LEAP Silent Auction Committee and as a reader for the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund. Back on campus as staff, Jade is a member of the Student Affairs Assessment Committee and Student Recognition Awards Program Committee.
Jeymi Choi is the office manager of the Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS) department at USC. Choi is a graduate of University of California, Riverside with a degree in business administration. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Post Secondary Education and Student Affairs here in the Rossier School of Education. Jeymi plans to graduate in May 2009 and pursue a career in Student Affairs at USC.