AAPIO_home

The Asian American Pacific Islander Organization here at Missouri State University was founded to promote the advancement and further the understanding of Asian cultures and communities.   AAPIO's purpose is also to serve as a forum or common ground for both Asian students and members of the Missouri State and the Springfield community to discuss and resolve issues affecting Asians and Pacific Islanders as a minority group in America. 

AAPIO has been re-established recently and is recruiting new members to lead the organization in a more proactive effort to become involved in the Missouri State and Springfield community and in giving Asians and Pacific Islanders a greater voice in those communities. 


Homecoming News- Congratulations AAPIO, we were awarded 1st place in the Homecoming window painting competition.  


New Weekly Meeting Time AAPIO Meetings in the PSU room 312AB, Tues. at 7:00. Anyone interested in joining AAPIO or would like to find out more about AAPIO is welcome to attend any of our meetings. 






Asian Pacific American Heritage month, celebrated each May, was founded in 1977 to honor the contributions and accomplishments of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.  In June 1977, Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week.   The following month, senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate.   Both were passed.

On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration.  

In May 1990, the holiday was expanded further when President George H. W. Bush designated May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.   May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.   The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Join AAPIO in celebrating our heritage month this April and May.   Events to be announced. 






This website is currently under construction for any questions, contact us at satyam696@missouristate.edu