Director Message

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Academic Year 2025-2026 

To the UIC Community:

On behalf of the AARCC Team, I welcome you to a new academic year! Here are some exciting things happening at AARCC this academic year:

AARCC Updated Mission and Vision 

Last academic year, AARCC professional staff used the Higher Education CAS Standards to assess and update their mission and vision. With AARCC entering its 20th year at UIC, the staff felt the former mission and vision needed updating to reflect modern Asian Americans and the needs and issues of this racial population. To view the updated version, please visit our “Who is AARCC?” page. AARCC’s values continue to be Community, Empowerment, Engagement, and Respect.

AARCC Persists Despite Budget Cuts 

Since FY20, AARCC's operating budget has shrunk. From FY20 to FY21, our budget shrunk by 33% or about $14,300. From FY22 to FY25, our operating budget has remained the same despite inflation averaging about 4.5% during this time. Between this year and the last year, our operating budget has decreased nearly 50% despite record enrollment. Despite our role in helping UIC maintain its Minority Serving Institution (MSI) status and being a primary resource of supporting the UIC community amidst attacks on Asian and Asian American communities, AARCC still needs adequate financial support. As attacks on DEI continue and the safety of Chicago minoritized communities threatened, we must continue to activate and provide culturally sustaining programming. In this spirit, we kindly ask for your donations to support us through these unparalleled times as we continue. This year, a portion of AARCC’s operational budget is being reduced due to campus-wide fiscal challenges. Despite this forthcoming budget cut, AARCC will continue to deliver excellent engagement of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.

If you would like to make a gift to AARCC, please visit go.uic.edu/gift. Be sure to choose "UIC Asian American Resource and Cultural Center General Fund" under Gift Destination.

AARCC Delivers Cultural Programs and Events 

As you may be aware, cultural work has been attacked by those who look to silence minority perspectives and erase the benefits of a just society.

This academic year, AARCC will host a number of programs and events that are informed by theories of critical race, student development, community engagement, and leadership development. AARCC uses an intersectional Asian American lens and a collaborative network to guide and frame their day-to-day work. To stay updated, be sure to subscribe to AARCC News or follow us on Instagram - @uicaarcc.

Our first official event will be the AARCC Open House (723 W. Maxwell) on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Come be with community and learn about our services, programs, and history. All are welcome! The Open House is a great opportunity to meet other professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees who make up the amazing AARCC Team!

AARCC Collaborates with Asian American Campus Units 

AARCC is proud of its strong relationships with other Asian American units like the UIC Global Asian Studies (GLAS) who offers a number of courses, a major, and a minor; the Asian American Student Academic Program (AASAP) who provides academic services, advising, and support; and the UIC AANAPISI Initiative who supports the recruitment, retention, and graduation of Asian American and Pacific Islander students. Collectively, these units reflect the strong presence of Asian American students, staff, and faculty on campus and the richness of how Asian American culture, knowledge, and curricula positively impact the academic experience of the UIC community.

AARCC Commits to Culture and Social Change 

AARCC continues its cultural work by extensively working with its center-siblings the Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change (CCUSC). Visit each center’s website to learn about them and what they have to offer. Collectively, these centers engage students, staff, and faculty and contribute to their academic and professional success through cultural engagement.

As you can see, despite social and fiscal challenges, AARCC continues to do amazing work and serve the Asian American community at UIC. I invite you to engage with us and visit us at 723 W Maxwell. To see past annual reports, visit go.uic.edu/annual or aarcc.uic.edu. Best of luck in the new academic year!

With regards,

Mark R. Martell, PhD 

Executive Director