Students Meet with AAI Acting Director and Apex for Youth Leadership

On February 25, undergraduate students from Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering, Barnard, and the School of General Studies came together with Acting Director, Prof. Qin Gao and Derek Kuey, Pavan Makhija, and Marvin Phattanachitchon, from Apex for Youth, to discuss the work being done at Apex, and fellowship opportunities for Culumbia this summer.  

Apex for Youth’s mission is to empower Asian American and Pacific Islander youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds to unlock their potential through impactful mentorship with access to critical resources for youth and their families. With nearly 1,000 volunteers and 40 staff, Apex serves more than 2,500 youth across the country, online and in person throughout New York. 

Derek, Pavan and Marvin shared Apex’s mission and vision, their on-the-ground work with Asian American Youth, and their program expansion across New York City in recent years. Students shared their own mentorship experiences, and shared the positive long-term impact these had in their trajectory leading to Columbia University. 

Students also learned about summer opportunities and how to get involved with the organization.