The South Asian, Southwest Asian, and North African (SSWANA) Living Learning Community at UC Berkeley has been named the 2026 recipient of the Outstanding Program/Initiative for APIDA Student Success Award by the Asian Pacific American Network (APAN) of ACPA – College Student Educators International. Selected from a highly competitive national pool, the award honors programs that advance the success, visibility, and well-being of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) students in higher education.
A partnership between Centers for Educational Justice & Community Engagement, Residential Life, and Housing, the SSWANA Living Learning Community has grown from a pilot initiative into a full program, reflecting the strength of cross-campus collaboration among staff and student leaders. The program has played a pivotal role in fostering community, identity development, and holistic support for SSWANA students, contributing to a more inclusive and transformative campus environment.
The award was formally presented at the ACPA 2026 Annual Convention in Baltimore, Maryland on April 1, 2026, where national leaders in student affairs gathered to celebrate excellence and innovation across the field.
The program has played a pivotal role in fostering community, identity development, and holistic support for SSWANA students, contributing to a more inclusive and transformative campus environment. As one student shared, “SSWANA Living and Learning Community has been one of the most unique, enriching, and thought-provoking experiences I have had in my entire life.”
Learn more about the SSWANA Living Learning Community at Berkeley
