What is KAPWA?
Kapwa is a Filipino concept, which essentially translates to "I am who I am connected to." Rem Tanauan, a Yijiing practitioner, refers to kapwa as "an ethos of sharing, seeing and caring for the other as oneself."The ancient Mayans called it lak'ech: "I am you; you are me." The Nguni peoples have unbuntu: "I am because we are." You may know these concepts as "empathy".Kapwa is a Learning Community (LC) taught through an Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) lens. You will be enrolled with the same group of students for an academic year allowing you to create safe spaces to explore your identity. You don’t have to identify as AAPI to join Kapwa: we welcome all students! No matter how you identify, you will discover that Kapwa is a welcoming and accepting space.
As a Learning Community, we will discuss overlapping themes and topics, and we have some engaging activities planned to strengthen our cohort. We hope that this collaboration further inspires and supports you in your educational journey.
What does KAPWA offer?
We will engage in deep, meaningful, and critical conversations about your lives and our community. You will meet people who care about you and are committed to supporting you. At the end of our time together, you will be prepared and confident to continue your educational journey here at San Diego Mesa College and beyond.
Kapwa Scholars are required to take the following transferable courses:
Fall
ENGL 101: Reading and Composition
PERG 120: College Success
Spring
ENGL 205: Critical Thinking
AAPI 124: Introduction to Asian American Pacific Islander Studies
How can I be a part of KAPWA?
Please complete the KAPWA interest form.
Kapwa scholars demonstrate the following:
- Respect for others’ beliefs and ideas
- Have a positive attitude
- Help create a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory environment
- Have an interest in transferring to a 4-year university and/or pursuing a Bachelor's degree
- Must enroll in required Kapwa courses for each respective semester
Can't take the courses with us?
We host a variety of campus-wide events such as our staple Careering While Asian American Pacific Islander panel. Feel free to attend any of our campus-wide events and to participate in the Asian Pacific Diversity Club.
Contacts & Socials
| Prof. Patricia (Trish) Guevarra |
pguevarra001@sdccd.edu |
| Prof. Jennifer Derilo | jderilo@sdccd.edu |
| General Inquiries | mesakapwa@sdccd.edu |
| Asian Pacific Diversity Club | @sdmesa_apdiversity |
| Follow us on Instagram | @sdmesa_kapwa |
