In 1978, six students founded APSO (Asian Pacific -Islander Student Outreach) to address the needs and concerns of USC's Asian Pacific Islander (API) students. From those humble beginnings, APSO emerged as a powerful advocate for Asian Pacific Islander students, organizing student involvement and sponsoring cultural programs.

Many of APSO's original programs have become permanent fixtures on the USC campus; Heritage Week has become USC Program Board's Heritage Month, and the Asian Pacific Orientation has been taken over by APASS as Student Welcome. In 1982, APSO successfully lobbied USC to create the Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS) department to provide for the needs of its API students.

Due to the strong foundation APSO has laid on the USC campus, the organization now can direct its energies toward furthering the community activism and political presence of Asian Pacific Islander Americans.

APSO is dedicated to educating themselves and students at USC about Asian American issues thru political actions and community involvement. Throughout the year, APSO is involved in events such as volunteering with Asian For Miracle Marrow Matches(A3M), sponsoring API speakers events, and attending conferences regarding API issues.

If you have any questions, please contact us through e-mail at apso@usc.edu