At a glance
The Khmer Student Association (KHSA) at the University of Washington presents the Annual Khmer New Year Show on May 3, 2025,… Read full summary
- Funding received
- 2024-2025
- Large
- Awarded
- $9,800
- Funding partners
-
- Services and Activities Fee (SAF)
- Website & social links
The Khmer Student Association (KHSA) at the University of Washington presents the Annual Khmer New Year Show on May 3, 2025, celebrating Khmer tradition and resilience. This student-run event, engaging over 500 attendees from the university and surrounding areas, showcases traditional Khmer dance, music, and performances. It aims to preserve cultural heritage, build community, educate about Khmer history and resilience, and offer healing. The event aligns with the Campus Sustainability Fund's focus on sustainability, innovation, community impact, and educational value by promoting cultural preservation and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
The Khmer Student Association (KHSA) at the University of Washington is presents an Annual Khmer New Year Show, a cultural event dedicated to celebrating Khmer tradition, heritage, and resilience. Performing on May 3rd, 2025, this event is entirely student-run, engaging over 500+ attendees from the university and surrounding communities, such as Tacoma, Kent, and Renton. The Khmer New Year Show preserves and showcases Khmer culture through dance, music, and traditional performances and gives participants and guests a sense of community and healing.
Key goals include:
- Cultural Preservation: Highlighting traditional Khmer dances, music, and fashion to ensure the transmission of cultural practices to younger generations.
- Community Building: Bringing together students, families, and friends from diverse backgrounds strengthens communal bonds and promotes cultural understanding.
- Educational Impact: Providing educational performances that narrate the history and resilience of the Khmer people, particularly in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge genocide.
- Resilience and Healing: Offering a space for remembrance and celebration, fostering resilience within the Khmer community by honoring their heritage and overcoming historical trauma.
Alignment with Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) Criteria
The Khmer New Year Show aligns with the CSF’s mission and criteria through its focus on sustainability, innovation, community impact, and educational value:
- Sustainability: Preserving Khmer cultural heritage and promoting sustainable cultural practices, the event ensures the longevity and diversification of cultural expressions within the university.
- Innovation: The event integrates traditional performances with contemporary student-led initiatives, showcasing innovative approaches to cultural celebration and engagement.
- Community Impact: Drawing attendees from various regions, the show fosters strong community bonds and enhances cultural understanding across diverse groups, contributing to a more inclusive campus environment.
- Educational Value: The performances educate participants and attendees about Khmer history, religion, and cultural resilience, enriching the university’s multicultural landscape and promoting cross-cultural learning.
Dahlan Oung
Project lead
- dahlan@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 2 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- KHSA
Hello CFS,
Annually, the Khmer Student Association Club organizes one of the most significant cultural events at the University of Washington. Entirely managed and coordinated by University of Washington students and student volunteers, the event takes place during the Cambodian New Year, a celebration of Khmer tradition, culture, and values. Beyond our community, we welcome approximately 600 to 750+ students, friends, and families from commuting locations such as Tacoma, Kent, and Renton. The event fosters an environment where Khmer individuals can express their culture through dance, music, and blessings. During the event, we provide food for all 750+ attendees, supplying traditional Khmer foods, dishes, and entrees. We have dances and skits that educate stories of Khmer religion and culture, and a fashion show showcasing the history of Cambodian attire.
The Khmer New Year performance aligns with the core values and aspirations of the CFS committee in several ways. Our event promotes sustainable impact by preserving and diversifying cultural heritage. During the event, the president of KHSA announces a scholarship for incoming, unrepresented groups of students, providing financial support for their education. This initiative empowers students from diverse cultural backgrounds to pursue STEM, ecological studies, and technological advancements.
Furthermore, our event aligns with CFS through cultural preservation and cultivating resilience. Less than 45 years ago, the Khmer people endured one of the most devastating genocides in history, the Khmer Rouge. Many of our grandparents and parents still bear the trauma of this tragedy. Consequently, we ensure that the New Year Show serves as a sanctuary and a place of remembrance. The blessing dance, which symbolizes good fortune for the new year, represents the cultural heritage of Cambodia that was nearly lost during those years of genocide. By coming together post-trauma, we embody a sense of resilience and community.
We have commenced planning our annual Khmer New Year’s Eve celebration, scheduled for May 3rd, 2025. With the provision of funding, we will collaborate with the club’s treasurer, president, and senior advisor to procure sufficient food for the anticipated attendance of over 750 individuals. Our media team and event coordinator will allocate resources to support club projects and events aimed at promoting awareness of the New Year’s Eve show. We have secured the University of Washington HUB as the venue and will commence rehearsals five months prior to the event, reserving rooms in the ECC and procuring props, decorations, and attire.
We extend our sincere gratitude for your thoughtful consideration of supporting one of the University of Washington’s most prominent upcoming Cambodian New Year Show.
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Placeholder
- Placeholder@uw.edu
- Affiliation and department
- Placeholder
- Stakeholder approval form
Request amount and budget
The figures are derived from both previous New Year’s shows and anticipated expenses.
- Hub Reservation: 8,000 - 9,000+
- Decorations: 350 - 500
- Marketing: 200 - 300
- Band for Music: 1,000 - 1100
How the project will react to funding reductions
Potential Funding Reductions
Understanding that CSF must allocate resources equitably among numerous projects, the Khmer Student Association (KHSA) has developed strategies to sustain the Annual Khmer New Year Show in the event of funding reductions. With the HUB reservation being the primary expense, ranging up to 8,000 - $9,000, the following outlines how the project would adjust to 10%, 20%, and 50% cuts from the total funding request of roughly $11,000.
10% Funding Reduction ($1,100)
With a 10% cut, the grant amount would decrease from $11,000 to $9,900.
- HUB Reservation: $8,000 to $9,000.
- If the HUB cost is $8,000, the remaining funds: are $1,900.
- If the HUB cost is $9,000, the remaining funds: are $900.
- Adjustments:
- Fundraising Efforts: Raise the shortfall of $900 to $1,100 through targeted fundraising such as crowdfunding, merchandise sales, and sponsorships.
- Cost Management: Prioritize essential expenses within the remaining budget of $900 to $1,900 for sustainable decorations, marketing, and program materials
20% Funding Reduction ($2,200)
With a 20% cut, the grant amount would decrease to $8,800.
- With a significant adjustments
- If the HUB cost is $8,000, the remaining funds: are $800.
- If HUB cost is $9,000, remaining funds: $200 (requires raising an additional $200).
- Adjustments:
- Fundraising Efforts: We will focus primarily on the HUB Costs and focus efforts on raising money from fundraising activities, such as hosting smaller pre-event fundraisers, seeking additional sponsorships, or leveraging in-kind donations.
- Cost Management: Allocate the remaining $800 towards high-priority items like decorations and essential marketing. Limitless critical expenses to stay within budget.
50% Funding Reduction ($5,500)
With a 50% cut, the grant amount would decrease to $5,500.
- Requiring significant reallocation.
- Remaining funds after HUB reservation:
- $5,500 - $8,000 = -$2,500
- $5,500 - $9,000 = -$3,500
- Remaining funds after HUB reservation:
- Adjustments:
- Fundraising Efforts: Raise the substantial shortfall of $2,500 to $3,500 through major fundraising initiatives such as large-scale crowdfunding campaigns, significant sponsorships from local businesses, and increased sales of cultural merchandise.
- Cost Management: Drastically reduce non-essential expenses. Focus on the most critical elements of the event, such as essential decorations and Food. Explore additional cost-saving measures like volunteer support for decorations and program distribution.
- Outcome: The event continues in a more streamlined and cost-effective format, prioritizing essential cultural performances and digital engagement to preserve the event’s integrity despite significant financial limitations.
Conclusion
KHSA is committed to ensuring the Annual Khmer New Year Show remains a meaningful and impactful event, regardless of funding variations. This adaptability shows KHSA’s dedication to sustaining this cherished tradition at the University of Washington, ensuring its continued positive impact.
Plans for financial longevity
The long-term management and maintenance of the Annual Khmer New Year Show are ensured through the continuous recruitment of new interns who transition into leadership roles within the club. By actively seeking passionate and dedicated individuals each year, KHSA fosters new interns participating in the New Year Show and other club activities, providing them with hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the event’s cultural significance. This mentorship fosters continuity and preserves the institutional memory essential for maintaining the event’s high standards. Since its establishment in 1982, KHSA has successfully upheld itself as a club cherished at the University of Washington.
January - May: Begin Dance Practices / Skit Practices / Fashion Show Practice
March / April: Pay Reservation for Hub / Raise awareness of New Year Show
April: Finalize location of food purchase & Quantity (Order food)
April: Finish prep decoration
April: Set up scholarship
May: Pay for food / Set up for New Year Show
Plans for long-term project management
The Khmer Student Association (KHSA) at the University of Washington (UW), established in 1982, is dedicated to ensuring the Annual Khmer New Year Show remains a lasting tradition. To achieve long-term continuity our current leaders at KHSA have implemented a robust Succession Planning and Leadership Development plan.
Structured Leadership Roles:
- Clear Role Definitions: Each leadership position (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Marketing Coordinator, Event Coordinator) has detailed job descriptions and standard operating procedures. This clarity ensures incoming leaders understand their responsibilities.
- Comprehensive Documentation: All event-related processes, including planning, budgeting, and vendor management, are thoroughly documented. This documentation serves as a reference for new leaders and references to past New Year Shows and KHSA information (Such as allowing me to review former New Year Show budgets and costs).
- Active Mentorship: Outgoing leaders mentor incoming members, sharing insights and best practices through training sessions on event management, financial oversight, and community engagement.
- Knowledge Transfer: Regular meetings and intern opportunities allow new leaders to observe key activities, ensuring they are well-prepared to take KHSA leadership.
Alumni Engagement:
- Advisory Roles: KHSA maintains connections with alumni who have previously held leadership positions. These alumni serve as advisors, offering guidance and support based on their experiences.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Preservation and Education | 500+ People Engaged in our Khmer New Year Show | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni |
| Community Building | 30-40% Demographics of attendees we're people close or outside of UW community | Graduate, Alumni |
| Educational Impact | Collaborated with 1-2 other organizations using our platform to offer opportunities | Academic staff, Admin staff |
Education and outreach goals
Education and Outreach Goals
To maximize its impact, KHSA has developed a plan to effectively publicize the event across campus and achieve specific outreach. The plan leverages multiple communication channels, collaborative partnerships, and targeted initiatives to ensure broad engagement and meaningful educational outcomes.
Publicization Strategy
- Social Media: We use our Facebook, Instagram, and community connections to share event updates, performer highlights, and imporant club dates. This approach engages a diverse student body and encourages viral sharing.
- University Channels: Leverage UW’s official email distributions to ensure the event is prominently featured and easily accessible to all students.
- Physical Advertising: Posters and flyers in high-traffic areas such as libraries, dining halls, residence halls, and academic buildings. Additionally, we have a tabling area on Red Square to engage with other students.
Collaborative Partnerships:
- Academic Departments: Partner with Cultural Studies and the Khmer professor to help encourage students taking Khmer to further their learning of the culture by participating in our club and events.
- Student Organizations: Collaborate with multicultural groups from other RSOs such as VSA, KSA, etc.
Outreach Goals
- Increase Attendance and Diversity:
- Goal: Attract over 500+ attendees from various cultural backgrounds, including students, faculty, staff, and local community members.
- Strategy: Utilize targeted marketing and partnerships with diverse student organizations to reach underrepresented groups, ensuring the event is inclusive and welcoming to all members of the UW community.
- Foster Cultural Understanding and Appreciation:
- Goal: Enhance cultural competence and appreciation among attendees by providing authentic and educational experiences.
- Strategy: Incorporate educational elements such as storytelling, historical narratives, and interactive exhibits into the event programming to inform and engage the audience about Khmer culture and history, using dance, music, and food.
- Promote Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Goal: Implement and highlight sustainable practices within the event, aligning with the Campus Sustainability Fund’s (CSF) mission.
- Strategy: Use eco-friendly materials for decorations and programs, minimize waste through compostable serviceware, and promote recycling and sustainability initiatives throughout the event.
Education Goals
- Enhance Knowledge of Khmer Culture and History:
- Objective: Provide comprehensive insights into Khmer traditions, history, and resilience.
- Implementation: Feature performances and informational displays that educate attendees about Khmer cultural practices and historical events. Using 3 dances: coconut Dance, Blessing Dance, and Robam Trot.
- Encourage Cross-Cultural Dialogue and Inclusivity:
- Objective: Create a platform for meaningful interactions between Khmer students and the broader UW community, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
- Implementation: Facilitate interactive activities such as active interaction with the audience by allowing them to ask questions and engage in games. Talking to students and people individually asking them if they enjoyed the performance and what they thought.
- Promote Leadership and Community Engagement:
- Objective: Empower students to take active roles in cultural preservation and community building through participation in event planning and execution.
- Implementation: Offer leadership opportunities within KHSA for students to manage various aspects of the event, encouraging skill development in areas such as project management, marketing, and financial planning.
Measurement and Evaluation
To ensure the effectiveness of the education and outreach initiatives, we will implement the following key metrics:
- Attendance Numbers: Track the total number of attendees and if possible their demographic backgrounds to assess reach and diversity.
- Feedback and Surveys: Collect post-event feedback through surveys to evaluate attendee satisfaction, and educational impact, and gather suggestions for improvement.
- Social Media Analytics: Monitor engagement metrics such as likes, shares, comments, and reach across social media platforms to evaluate the success of the marketing campaign.
- Sustainability Impact: Assess the effectiveness of eco-friendly practices by tracking waste reduction, recycling rates, and the use of sustainable materials during the event.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Preservation and Education | 500+ People Engaged in our Khmer New Year Show | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni |
| Community Building | 30-40% Demographics of attendees we're people close or outside of UW community | Graduate, Alumni |
| Educational Impact | Collaborated with 1-2 other organizations using our platform to offer opportunities | Academic staff, Admin staff |
Education and outreach goals
Education and Outreach Goals
To maximize its impact, KHSA has developed a plan to effectively publicize the event across campus and achieve specific outreach. The plan leverages multiple communication channels, collaborative partnerships, and targeted initiatives to ensure broad engagement and meaningful educational outcomes.
Publicization Strategy
- Social Media: We use our Facebook, Instagram, and community connections to share event updates, performer highlights, and imporant club dates. This approach engages a diverse student body and encourages viral sharing.
- University Channels: Leverage UW’s official email distributions to ensure the event is prominently featured and easily accessible to all students.
- Physical Advertising: Posters and flyers in high-traffic areas such as libraries, dining halls, residence halls, and academic buildings. Additionally, we have a tabling area on Red Square to engage with other students.
Collaborative Partnerships:
- Academic Departments: Partner with Cultural Studies and the Khmer professor to help encourage students taking Khmer to further their learning of the culture by participating in our club and events.
- Student Organizations: Collaborate with multicultural groups from other RSOs such as VSA, KSA, etc.
Outreach Goals
- Increase Attendance and Diversity:
- Goal: Attract over 500+ attendees from various cultural backgrounds, including students, faculty, staff, and local community members.
- Strategy: Utilize targeted marketing and partnerships with diverse student organizations to reach underrepresented groups, ensuring the event is inclusive and welcoming to all members of the UW community.
- Foster Cultural Understanding and Appreciation:
- Goal: Enhance cultural competence and appreciation among attendees by providing authentic and educational experiences.
- Strategy: Incorporate educational elements such as storytelling, historical narratives, and interactive exhibits into the event programming to inform and engage the audience about Khmer culture and history, using dance, music, and food.
- Promote Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Goal: Implement and highlight sustainable practices within the event, aligning with the Campus Sustainability Fund’s (CSF) mission.
- Strategy: Use eco-friendly materials for decorations and programs, minimize waste through compostable serviceware, and promote recycling and sustainability initiatives throughout the event.
Education Goals
- Enhance Knowledge of Khmer Culture and History:
- Objective: Provide comprehensive insights into Khmer traditions, history, and resilience.
- Implementation: Feature performances and informational displays that educate attendees about Khmer cultural practices and historical events. Using 3 dances: coconut Dance, Blessing Dance, and Robam Trot.
- Encourage Cross-Cultural Dialogue and Inclusivity:
- Objective: Create a platform for meaningful interactions between Khmer students and the broader UW community, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
- Implementation: Facilitate interactive activities such as active interaction with the audience by allowing them to ask questions and engage in games. Talking to students and people individually asking them if they enjoyed the performance and what they thought.
- Promote Leadership and Community Engagement:
- Objective: Empower students to take active roles in cultural preservation and community building through participation in event planning and execution.
- Implementation: Offer leadership opportunities within KHSA for students to manage various aspects of the event, encouraging skill development in areas such as project management, marketing, and financial planning.
Measurement and Evaluation
To ensure the effectiveness of the education and outreach initiatives, we will implement the following key metrics:
- Attendance Numbers: Track the total number of attendees and if possible their demographic backgrounds to assess reach and diversity.
- Feedback and Surveys: Collect post-event feedback through surveys to evaluate attendee satisfaction, and educational impact, and gather suggestions for improvement.
- Social Media Analytics: Monitor engagement metrics such as likes, shares, comments, and reach across social media platforms to evaluate the success of the marketing campaign.
- Sustainability Impact: Assess the effectiveness of eco-friendly practices by tracking waste reduction, recycling rates, and the use of sustainable materials during the event.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Preservation and Education | 500+ People Engaged in our Khmer New Year Show | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni |
| Community Building | 30-40% Demographics of attendees we're people close or outside of UW community | Graduate, Alumni |
| Educational Impact | Collaborated with 1-2 other organizations using our platform to offer opportunities | Academic staff, Admin staff |
Education and outreach goals
Education and Outreach Goals
To maximize its impact, KHSA has developed a plan to effectively publicize the event across campus and achieve specific outreach. The plan leverages multiple communication channels, collaborative partnerships, and targeted initiatives to ensure broad engagement and meaningful educational outcomes.
Publicization Strategy
- Social Media: We use our Facebook, Instagram, and community connections to share event updates, performer highlights, and imporant club dates. This approach engages a diverse student body and encourages viral sharing.
- University Channels: Leverage UW’s official email distributions to ensure the event is prominently featured and easily accessible to all students.
- Physical Advertising: Posters and flyers in high-traffic areas such as libraries, dining halls, residence halls, and academic buildings. Additionally, we have a tabling area on Red Square to engage with other students.
Collaborative Partnerships:
- Academic Departments: Partner with Cultural Studies and the Khmer professor to help encourage students taking Khmer to further their learning of the culture by participating in our club and events.
- Student Organizations: Collaborate with multicultural groups from other RSOs such as VSA, KSA, etc.
Outreach Goals
- Increase Attendance and Diversity:
- Goal: Attract over 500+ attendees from various cultural backgrounds, including students, faculty, staff, and local community members.
- Strategy: Utilize targeted marketing and partnerships with diverse student organizations to reach underrepresented groups, ensuring the event is inclusive and welcoming to all members of the UW community.
- Foster Cultural Understanding and Appreciation:
- Goal: Enhance cultural competence and appreciation among attendees by providing authentic and educational experiences.
- Strategy: Incorporate educational elements such as storytelling, historical narratives, and interactive exhibits into the event programming to inform and engage the audience about Khmer culture and history, using dance, music, and food.
- Promote Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Goal: Implement and highlight sustainable practices within the event, aligning with the Campus Sustainability Fund’s (CSF) mission.
- Strategy: Use eco-friendly materials for decorations and programs, minimize waste through compostable serviceware, and promote recycling and sustainability initiatives throughout the event.
Education Goals
- Enhance Knowledge of Khmer Culture and History:
- Objective: Provide comprehensive insights into Khmer traditions, history, and resilience.
- Implementation: Feature performances and informational displays that educate attendees about Khmer cultural practices and historical events. Using 3 dances: coconut Dance, Blessing Dance, and Robam Trot.
- Encourage Cross-Cultural Dialogue and Inclusivity:
- Objective: Create a platform for meaningful interactions between Khmer students and the broader UW community, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
- Implementation: Facilitate interactive activities such as active interaction with the audience by allowing them to ask questions and engage in games. Talking to students and people individually asking them if they enjoyed the performance and what they thought.
- Promote Leadership and Community Engagement:
- Objective: Empower students to take active roles in cultural preservation and community building through participation in event planning and execution.
- Implementation: Offer leadership opportunities within KHSA for students to manage various aspects of the event, encouraging skill development in areas such as project management, marketing, and financial planning.
Measurement and Evaluation
To ensure the effectiveness of the education and outreach initiatives, we will implement the following key metrics:
- Attendance Numbers: Track the total number of attendees and if possible their demographic backgrounds to assess reach and diversity.
- Feedback and Surveys: Collect post-event feedback through surveys to evaluate attendee satisfaction, and educational impact, and gather suggestions for improvement.
- Social Media Analytics: Monitor engagement metrics such as likes, shares, comments, and reach across social media platforms to evaluate the success of the marketing campaign.
- Sustainability Impact: Assess the effectiveness of eco-friendly practices by tracking waste reduction, recycling rates, and the use of sustainable materials during the event.