Ajay Nair arrived in Philadelphia last Sunday and is currently trying to learn his way around Penn's campus.
But he is not a freshman. He is the new director of the Pan-Asian American Community House and the new assistant director of the Asian-American Studies Program.
Nair replaces Karen Su, who served as director from the day PAACH opened almost two years ago until the end of the spring semester this year.
PAACH, located in the ARCH building at 36th Street on Locust Walk, serves as a resource and information center for issues affecting Asian-American students on campus. In November 2000, after nearly a decade of petitions, the University agreed to fund the center and give it its permanent location.
According to Nair, Penn is one of the few universities that works to link academics and student life.
"I get to bridge student affairs with academics," Nair said. "It's an exciting opportunity."
Nair is looking forward to helping students use what they learn in the classroom to create programs that he hopes will be implemented in the West Philadelphia community. He said that he is excited to be working with undergraduates.
"Penn is on the cutting edge," Nair said. "I can't stress that enough."
Nair is originally from Philadelphia, but he has spent the past few years at Pennsylvania State University, where he worked in the multicultural center, and at the University of Virginia, where he served as the assistant dean of students.
Nair was selected over the summer with the help of students, faculty and staff. There were approximately 25 applicants for the position of director.
"Nair was the unanimous choice," Associate Vice Provost for University Life Terry Conn said.
Nair's will serve in a joint position between PAACH and the Asian-American Studies Program. Program Director Rosane Rocher said she is excited to have the opportunity to work with Nair.
"He is knowledgeable on both the academic side and the student life side,"Rocher said. "He brings a wealth of experience to Penn."
Rocher also added that the Asian-American Studies Program faculty would like Nair to teach an undergraduate course in the spring, but nothing has been decided as of yet.
PAACH houses a small library and computer lab that are open to all students. In addition, house staff members offer advising services to any student who wishes to ask for guidance.
"It's only two years old and born out of student activism," Nair explained.
"Students in PAACH have been very active and have taken on a leadership role," Conn added.
Nair said he wants to continue to build on this activism. An advisory board for the house which will have student representatives is currently being developed.
"PAACH is really going to be run based on the needs of students," Nair said.
PAACH is striving to be a visible center on campus and it brings speakers and leadership training programs to the University, Nair explained.
"Groups come in and seek our support on any number of issues," Nair said.
