About Descent

No 1: Our Mission

Descent is the University of Southern California’s premier APISA literary and arts publication. Our mission is to elevate and amplify APISA voices and to co-create a platform to showcase the diversity of artwork, stories and talents of APISA creators at USC. Our team of creative writers, editorial photographers, visual designers, and multimedia creators publish a print and digital magazine advocating for APISA cultural issues.

Our name, Descent, recognizes the legacy that we strive to uphold from our ancestors as well as the legacy that we will leave behind for future generations of APISA artists and storytellers at USC. Its homophone, dissent, inspires us to challenge ourselves and reminds us to question the status quo. As Asian Americans, we must grapple with questions of art, identity, and where we fit in — and if we even want to fit in.

*APISA = Asian Pacific Islander and South Asian. Another term more commonly used by media is APIDA, which stands for “Asian Pacific Islander Desi American.”

No 2. Our History

No. 3: Meet the Editors

Sammie Yen

Sammie Yen

Director of Writing
Editor-in-Chief

Stella Vu

Stella Vu

Director of Visual Design
Editor-in-Chief

Lynn Wee

Lynn Wee

Director of Visual Design
Editor-in-Chief

Jasmine Wan

Jasmine Wan

Director of Multimedia
Editor-in-Chief

In proud partnership with

Read in-store at

FAQS

↬

FAQS ↬

  • APISA stands for “Asian Pacific Islander and South Asian.” Another term more commonly used by media is APIDA, which stands for “Asian Pacific Islander Desi American.”

  • Not at all! We encourage students of all backgrounds to apply.

  • No experience needed! The most important things we value in applicants is your excitement to amplify for APISA stories, eagerness to learn, and excitement to take creative risks.

  • As much as you’re comfortable with. All members of Descent pitch, workshop, and vote on theme ideas, visual design choices, and literary concepts. Rather than sacrificing individuality for perfect cohesion, we strongly encourage each of our members to showcase their own distinctive styles in our final publication.