Contact APIDSS
Email: apidss@lmu.edu
Office: Malone Student Center 201
Phone: 310.338.5808
Follow us on Instagram: @lmuapidss
Office Hours
| Monday through Friday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. |
APIDSS History
Asian Pacific Islander Desi Student Services (APIDSS) was established in 1980 as a result of the advocacy efforts from student groups such as the Asian Pacific Student Association. As the population of Asian Pacific American students at LMU grew, the university responded to their needs by establishing a dedicated office and appointing its first full-time professional director. Today, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) students comprise approximately 10% of undergraduates at LMU.
In November 2025, in celebration of its 45th anniversary, the office officially changed its name from Asian Pacific Student Services (APSS) to Asian Pacific Islander Desi Student Services (APIDSS). This name change reflects a commitment to fully embracing and uplifting the Desi community within the broader APIDA community.
APIDSS Mission
Asian Pacific Islander Desi Student Services (APIDSS) engages the LMU community in the issues, cultures, and experiences of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA) through advocacy, community building, education, resources, programming, and the development of leaders. APIDSS aims to raise social consciousness by cultivating individuals who have an open and developing understanding of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA) and the larger global community.
APIDSS Goals
- To raise awareness among and about the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community and develop transformative leaders within the LMU community.
- To celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) cultural heritage.
- To contribute to a sense of community among the Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA) at LMU.
- To serve as a source of intercultural and cross-cultural educational programming for the entire LMU campus community.
Director of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Student Services
Director of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Student Services: Min-Jung Kim, M.A.
Email: Min-Jung.Kim@lmu.edu
Min-Jung Kim '15 (pronounced as Min like Minute and Jung like Jungle with a hyphen in between) is a proud alumna of LMU and earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology, Economics, and Asian Pacific Studies. She received her master's degree in Higher and Postsecondary Education at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. With nearly a decade of experience in higher education, she has been recognized with the Student Affairs Global Citizen Award (2023), Supervisor of the Year Award (2025), and, alongside Curtiss Takada Rooks, Ph.D., LMU Asian American Studies professor, the Magis Award for Excellence in Programming from the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) and the Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Academic Partnership from the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators (JASPA).
In her time as the director of APIDSS, Kim strives to be an advocate, mentor, and encourager for students at LMU. Her goals are to help students explore deeply in their identities and their respective communities, build a sense of belonging, and become global citizens in advocacy of their Asian Pacific Islander Desi American communities.
APIDSS Team
Asian Pacific Islander Desi Student Services (APIDSS) Programming Assistants play a key role in supporting the office’s mission to foster community, cultural awareness, and student success. Programming Assistants collaborate with our campus partners to plan and implement events, workshops, and cultural programs that celebrate and uplift the diverse experiences within the APIDA community. Through their work, they help create welcoming spaces for dialogue, learning, and connection among students, while also gaining leadership, event planning, and community-building skills. Programming Assistants serve as important student leaders who help amplify APIDA voices and strengthen the sense of belonging on campus.