Student-driven cultural showcase centers on leadership and intercultural engagement
March 2026 – Students at Drew University hosted a Spring Festival and Lunar New Year celebration, welcoming nearly 200 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests for an evening highlighting student leadership, artistic talent, and cross-cultural exchange.
The program was organized by Drew’s Asian Student Union and Chinese Students Association, reflecting a collaborative, student-driven model of campus engagement. From concept development to budgeting, marketing, and event execution, student leaders managed every aspect of the large-scale celebration.
The evening opened with a lion dance performance by the Asian American Dragon & Lion Dance Association. The program blended traditional and contemporary cultural expression, featuring Midu Mountain Song with tap dance, the Filipino classic “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko,” a high-energy Chinese breaking dance showcase, and a participatory “Bailando Boogaloo” Filipino line dance that invited the audience onto the floor.
Interactive booths allowed attendees to explore calligraphy, fan painting, lantern making, and traditional festival games. Festive foods, including dumplings symbolizing unity and prosperity, fostered informal dialogue, and shared storytelling among participants.
For organizers, the event extended beyond celebration.
“This program reflects the strength of student leadership at Drew,” said Ty Zhou, international admissions counselor and advisor to the Asian Student Union and Chinese Students Association. “Students were not simply participants—they were strategists, collaborators, and cultural ambassadors. They created a space where tradition meets innovation, and where cultural exchange becomes experiential learning.”
The celebration reflects Drew’s commitment to global engagement and inclusive excellence. By centering student leadership and intercultural dialogue, the event demonstrated how cultural programming can serve as both a community celebration and a platform for leadership development.
As the new year begins, Aira Poticano C’26, president of the Asian Student Union, expressed enthusiasm for continuing to create spaces where culture, creativity, and collaboration intersect on campus, especially for the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month ahead.
