After years of student lobbying, the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC) opened Spring 2005 to support the needs of Asian Americans at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
AARCC offers social, cultural, and educational programs that promote knowledge on Asian Americans. Our co-curricular programs enhance the UIC experience and provide opportunities for integrated learning and development.
Part of the Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change, AARCC is one of seven cultural centers at UIC. Founded as a direct result of campus activism, the UIC Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change (CCUSC) work collectively to produce knowledge and shift university culture, validating the multidimensional lived experiences of historically and currently excluded communities. Informed by social justice frameworks, the Centers support students, faculty, and staff as they build a strong identity and sense of belonging, becoming change agents for a more just campus and society. The Centers connect our communities and design intercultural and engaged-learning opportunities, student mentorship programs, cultural programming, advocacy, collaborative research, and community partnerships. Through these efforts, the Centers expand the educational and transformational mission of UIC.