The Chinese Students Association (CSA), formerly known as the Brandeis Chinese Cultural Connection (BC3), has a rich legacy as a vibrant and inclusive cultural club on campus. For 27 years, CSA has served as a gateway for students to explore the rich heritage of one of the world’s most enduring cultures. With a renewed focus on highlighting Chinese traditions, CSA continues to create a welcoming space for cultural exchange, bringing together not only Chinese students but the entire Brandeis community.
One of CSA’s traditions is the annual Mid-Autumn Festival, which took place on Sept. 14 this year and drew over 400 students, more than they had ever expected. “We literally didn’t have enough seats,” recalls Isabelle Yang ’27, the club’s vice president. The festival, filled with the rich traditions, such as mooncake for dessert, embraced an authentic celebration this year. “In the past, we included K-pop performances, which were great, but this year we wanted to focus more on Chinese traditions. It was important for us to represent our culture fully,” Yang explained. The overwhelming response from the Brandeis community set the stage for more culturally immersive experiences to come.
CSA’s other major events, including Lunar New Year and the Spring Festival, are set to engage the campus next semester. Yucheng Pan ‘26, the current President of CSA, is thrilled about the upcoming Spring Festival, planned for either late January or early February, following last year’s tremendous success. Reflecting on their past events, Pan shared, “I used to work in PR, where we reached out to a lot of college clubs outside our campus, most memorably Berkeley CSA. I contacted Berkeley and we invited them to our Spring Festival. It was the first time we had a whole band from another school join us, and it really elevated the quality of the show. I’m proud to have played a part in making that happen.” Partnering with other clubs at Brandeis and beyond is a key aspect of CSA’s mission.
In addition to their large-scale events, CSA remains dedicated to fostering a strong sense of community through smaller gatherings. From an upcoming Valorant tournament with the Global China Connection (GCC) to a Night Market in collaboration with the Taiwanese Students Association (TSA), CSA’s events are designed to create lasting connections among Brandeis’ diverse student body. One of the club’s most beloved events is “Asian Desserts,” where students gather to sample traditional Chinese pastries and other treats.
Perhaps the most transformative change for CSA this year was its decision to change its name from the Brandeis Chinese Cultural Connection (BC3) to the Chinese Students Association (CSA). This shift, finalized with Senate approval this past Sunday, Oct. 6, marks a significant milestone in the club’s journey.
“For years, BC3 carried the weight of a legacy, but we realized that many students didn’t even know what it stood for,” Pan explained. “We wanted a name that made our mission clear from the moment people heard it.” The decision to transition to CSA was all about clarity, recognition and inclusivity. Yang, shared her thoughts: “It’s important for us to be easily identifiable, especially as the only Chinese club that is part of the ICC. It positions us as a key part of Brandeis’ diverse culture, just like other cultural student associations.” The name change aligns them with other cultural organizations at Brandeis, such as the Taiwanese Students Association (TSA) and the Korean Student Assoicationn (KSA), giving it a more cohesive identity within the Intercultural Center (ICC).
While BC3 was meaningful in the past, the name no longer reflected the club’s current goals or resonated with today’s student body. Reflecting on the legacy of BC3, Yang acknowledged the significance of honoring the club’s history while embracing the future: “BC3 was founded 27 years ago to bridge Chinese culture with the Brandeis community. Obviously someone in the past thought BC3 was the best idea, but I think times have changed.” The name change also helps dispel any confusion about the club’s identity. “When people heard BC3, they often thought it was affiliated with Boston College,” Pan laughed. The new name not only strengthens their presence on campus but also symbolizes its renewed commitment to cultural engagement.
For CSA, this rebranding marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter focused on deepening their impact. Pan speaks of his goals for the club as “Many Chinese students may feel disconnected from campus life, and we want CSA to serve as the bridge that brings them together.” For Yang, challenging stereotypes people have about Chinese people and about Chinese culture is one of her personal goals. “I know that there’s a lot of bad press, but there’s such a rich history and it’s one of the longest standing cultures in the world. We want to bring the best parts of Chinese culture to the student body so that everyone can enjoy Chinese culture just the way that I think I do.”
Despite its focus on Chinese culture, CSA’s doors are wide open to all students, regardless of their background. “At the end of the day, we’re a club that welcomes everyone,” Yang emphasized. “I’m American myself, and the vice president, and we have members from all different backgrounds.” Inclusivity remains at the heart of CSA’s mission.
The club holds recruitment events at the begining of semester to invite new members into their community. According to Yang, “We have an interview process just to get to know the student better and we end up just placing them into a department because we have a lot of members who want to join us. We want to make sure that every member can be part of the best department suited for, whether that be event planning, public relations or managing social media.”
As CSA looks toward the future, its impact on Brandeis’ cultural life continues to grow. Through a mix of traditional celebrations, festivals and collaborative events, CSA is more than just a cultural club; it’s a vital part of the Brandeis community. Whether you’re interested in learning about Chinese history or simply looking for a place to belong, CSA offers a welcoming community and an invitation to experience the beauty of Chinese culture.
