Dr. Theresa Suarez is a sociology professor and founding director of the APIDA Student Success Center at CSUSM. She leads collaborative, community-centered efforts that uplift AA and NHPI voices, including the Unifying APIDA Communities Together (U-ACT) project and the AANHPI Student Achievement Program (ASAP) Grant. Dr. Suarez works closely with community leaders, organizations, and students to create culturally grounded programs that address underrepresentation, support language revitalization, and strengthen partnerships between the university and local Pacific Islander communities