May is Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Events are sponsored by various university entities to commemorate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. More events (and partnerships!) are coming soon—view the Lotus Mana Center calendar for a comprehensive list of events.

Upcoming Lotus Mana Center Events

Join the Lotus Mana Center for a series of spring events celebrating community, culture, reflection and achievement. Explore the upcoming programs below and take part in opportunities to connect with the Lotus Mana community.

Lei Day
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 5:00–7:00 p.m. | Lotus Mana Center
Join the Lotus Mana Center, the Pacific Islander Student Association and the Fijian Student Association for the annual Lei Day celebration. This event invites participants to learn about the naming and sacredness of lei across Oceania and create their own lei po’o.

AAPI Bolder Futures Summit
Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. | UC Davis Conference Center
Join the first-ever AAPI Bolder Futures Summit for an afternoon of visioning, networking and action. Participants will explore futures-thinking, social innovation and creative ways to build a bolderfuture for California led by AAPI youth.

Narratives of Oceania VASA: The Space that is Sacred
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 4:00–6:00 p.m. | Lotus Mana Center
Join guest speaker Dr. David Ga’oupu Matthew Palaita for a workshop centered on the Indigenous Pasefika concept of VĀSĀ as a sacred, relational space. Through reflection and collaborative mapping, participants will explore storytelling, migration, place and connection across Oceania.

Lotus Mana Research Symposium
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Lotus Mana Center
Learn from the Lotus Mana Center team as they share research and findings that highlight undergraduate and graduate scholarship. This symposium offers an opportunity to engage with the research and experiences of the Lotus Mana community.

Lotus Mana Graduation Celebration
Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | UC Davis Conference Center
Celebrate your journey with the Lotus Mana community, fellow graduates and the people who supported your success. This celebration honors the accomplishments of UC Davis undergraduate, graduate and professional students earning their degrees.

Resources:

Lotus Mana Center Asian and Pacific Islander Academic Retention Initiative.