Organization
Khmer Student Association at UC Berkeley
The Khmer Student Association (KSA) is an undergraduate student organization at the University of California, Berkeley, devoted to Khmer heritage.[1][2] It was formerly the Berkeley Cambodian Students Association (BCSA).[1] The university registers it as a Cultural and Identity/International student organization.[1]
History
The association was founded to unite and support people who share an interest in Cambodia and Southeast Asian culture. Over time it placed greater weight on keeping Khmer and Khmer American experiences and identity alive on campus.[1] Its stated aims include reclaiming Khmer cultural practices and bringing older and newer generations together.[1] The group changed its name from the Berkeley Cambodian Students Association to the Khmer Student Association on October 7, 2024.[1]
Activities
The association holds cultural events and community-building activities, and it is open both to Cambodian students and to others curious about the culture.[2] In the fall of 2024, KSA volunteers interpreted at a screening held by the UC Berkeley Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program at the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants in Oakland.[3]
For fiscal year 2025 to 2026, the Associated Students of the University of California sponsored KSA as a Student-Initiated Service Group, with two years of sponsorship on record, and allocated it $760.[4]
Leadership
Melissa Landeros has been the association's primary campus advisor since 2024.[1]