KSC Conference 2009 @ UC San Diego

KSC History:

The present-day Khmer Student Coalition (KSC) is a Cambodian Student Network system amongst Universities & Colleges in California and throughout the U.S. Collectively we make a strong networking system. KSC serves as an effective support group that brings together each individual club that will aid and unify the Cambodian student community. Each year, Cambodian student organizations have organized and gathered at different college campuses across the state of California to network and discuss the many issues facing the Cambodian and Cambodian American community.

Cambodian American students across the country have been organizing for years, dating as far back as 1980. Their efforts and accomplishments left footprints that helped pave the way for future student leaders to continue to collaborate and work towards creating a space for us to learn, explore, and grow.

Phylypo Tom, UCLA Class of 1996, played an active role in United Cambodian Students at UCLA, C-HOPE (Cambodian Humanitarian Organization for Peace on Earth), and CAM-CC (Cambodian Coordinating Council). He recalls from the book “Cambodians in Long Beach” by Susan Needham and Karen Quintiliani , that a group of CSULB students helped form UCSA (United Cambodian Student of Association) in 1987. The book also mentions a national UCSA conference in 1992

In 1990, Phalen Lim, Youth Program Director of The Cambodian Family and Cal State Fullerton Class of 1996, remembers going to Washington D.C. to participate in a student-led fun day at the park. She also recalls going to perform traditional Cambodian dances at different events in the community and mentions how nice it was for different schools to go out and support each other.

Between 1998-2005, students and friends of UCI, CSUF, CSULB, SDSU and UCLA Cambodian student groups came together to form C-HOPE (Cambodian Humanitarian Organization for Peace on Earth). Sok Thy Pech , a Long Beach Unified School District teacher of 5 years, a UCI alumnus, and one of the co-founders of C-HOPE, recalls hosting a myriad of events including Khmer Student Nights for high school students. C-HOPE aimed at providing like-minded people an opportunity to organize for social change and focus on educating and inspiring youth. Some of their sponsored events include a Khmer Education Forum, Cultural Galas, and a self-made Calendar depicting various Cambodian artworks.

The start of the new millennium welcomed the first of many opportunities for students to come together. The first Khmer Unity Games (KUG) began in 2000, mentions Peter Par, UCI Class of 2000. In 2001, Vibol Hou and Kim Preap, C-HOPE members, launched khmerconnection.com, now khmer.cc, one of the first forms of social media outlets from Cambodian Americans.

In 2005, Monica Mean, recent USC graduate student and UCLA Class of 2007, teamed up with Dean Chim and Michael Kek to host the first Khmer Student Coalition Conference at UCLA in 2004-2005. After a hiatus in 2005-2006, Monica teamed up with Seng So and Sopheap Sam to bring KSCC back in 2006-2007. We’ve had KSCC each year since then.

Movements like these have occurred country wide.

Phatry Derek Pan, Co-founder and CEO of the Khmerican, mentions that in Washington State between 1999-2004, Cambodian student groups from Western Washington University, Washington State and Washington community colleges and high schools gathered for a 2-3 days Khmer Statewide Conference, a gathering very similar to our KSCC.

On the East Coast, students and professionals from Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York come together annually since 2008, for a “Networking Event” that allows professionals from all backgrounds to meet and greet.

However, as years pass, some movements die out and some continue. By taking a step back to understand and acknowledge these movements, we are able to shape a clearer vision of OUR goals for the future. We can strengthen the existing student groups are capable of.

KSC has gained a lot of momentum with upwards to 200 college students and community leaders attending each year. The structure of the conference has evolved over the years to include a more interactive way for participants to engage in dialogue, to network with one another, and to take concrete action towards building a better community.  Although times have changed and people come and go, one thing is for sure, KSC is here to stay and we’re only getting bigger and better.

Current Active Schools:

Cal Poly Pomona – (KaSO) – Khmer American Student Organization

CSU Fresno – (CCA) – Cambodian Collegiate Association

CSU Fullerton – (CSA) – Cambodian Student Association

CSU Long Beach – (CSS) – Cambodian Student Society

CSU Sacramento – (CSAS) – Cambodian Student Association Sac.

UC Berkeley – (BCSA) – Berkeley Cambodian Student Association

UC Davis – (CamSA) – Cambodian Student Association

UC Irvine – (CAO) – Cambodian Awareness Organization

UC Los Angeles – (UKS) – United Khmer Students

UC Santa Barbara – (KSA) – Khmer Student Association

UC San Diego – (CSA) – Cambodian Student Association

Stanford University – (SKA) – Stanford Khmer Association

Other Schools:

UMass, Lowell – (C.A.S.A.) – Cambodian American Student Association
Fresno City College
Long Beach City College
San Diego State University
UC Merced

Current Activities:

Khmer Student Coalition Conference (KSSC): this event is hosted by a different school every year. The host school is responsible for setting up workshop events that cater to the issues of the Cambodian community. Each school, in return, brings to the table issues they feel are relevant and important to share.

Khmer Unity Games (KUG):  this event is also hosted by a different school every summer. The host school is responsible for setting up a long day event of games and activities. The goal of this event is to bring together students and friends from throughout the state to bond and build friendship.

Cambodian Student Culture Nights (CCN): Cambodian student organizations across California have had a tradition of hosting culture shows and events to help promote the Cambodian culture at their respective campuses. Show vary but may consist of a student-developed play, traditional classical dances, fashion show, and /or charity dinner.