The Midwest Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Students Union (MAASU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that began in response to a need for political unity among Asian American students in the Midwest. By 1990, there were more than 20 universities in the Midwest that had formed Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) organizations. Some had been around for years, while others were still in their infancy. Students felt a need for an organization that would support the growth of their groups and organize Midwestern Asian American students for political activism. MAASU works to recognize the needs of the Asian American community by assisting schools with the establishment of Asian American student organizations, promoting leadership among students, addressing educational needs and rights of the Asian American community, and developing a channel of communication among Asian American student organizations across the Midwest.