These are challenging times for higher education. The National Asian Pacific Islander Council (NAPIC) is deeply disappointed by recent federal decisions to end support for many of our Minority-Serving Institutional members. Community colleges founded on expanding access now face halted programs, harming low-income and first-generation students’ ability to graduate and contribute to the economic vitality and prosperity of our communities, states and country.
AANAPISI Week (September 22–28) may not receive a presidential proclamation this year. This absence reinforces false narratives of exclusion and denies the lived realities of racism and inequity our students face.
As a collective, Asian American students are often dismissed as high-performing, despite significant differences in disaggregated outcomes. This is highlighted in a July 2024 report, “Ensuring College Access and Success for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Students,” authored by former NAPIC President Rowena Tomaneng. Pulling from statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, Five-Year Estimates 2019-2023, she cites, “Nearly a quarter (24%) of NHPIs in the U.S. have enrolled in college without completing at least an associate degree” and “Only one in five NHPI residents has a bachelor’s degree. This is one-third the rate of bachelor’s-degree attainment seen by their Asian American peers — a difference that is often masked when data on these groups are aggregated together.”
AANHPIs are also among the fastest-growing racial groups in the U.S., representing vast diversity. In fact, “Asian Americans trace their roots to more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia, as well as the Indian subcontinent,” according to the Pew Research Center.
AANAPISI designation raises awareness of the work being done by over 200 institutions committed to the success of AANHPI students. Despite no formal recognition this year, NAPIC stands with the more than 200 designated AANAPISI institutions. We applaud their dedication and commitment to increasing and improving post-secondary access and support for low-income, first-generation Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. So, despite no formal proclamation, we believe it is important to recognize and promote the good work that occurs at our AANAHPI member institutions.
Voices from the field
To lead
“Leading an ANNAPISI is deep and abiding… a chance to foster belonging and pluralism from a place of asset and cultural wealth.” — Pam Eddinger, president, Bunker Hill Community College (Massachusetts)
The value and need
“AANAPISI-designated colleges and universities are critical to advancing educational equity and challenging the monolithic narratives often imposed on Asian American (AA), Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities, including the harmful model minority myth. Representing more than 48 ethnicities, over 300 languages, and a wide range of socioeconomic statuses, immigration histories, cultures, and religions, AANAPISIs create inclusive spaces where diverse voices are empowered, and identities are celebrated.” — Tammeil Gilkerson, chancellor, Peralta Community College District (California)
The service and support
“Our designation as an AANAPISI institution embodies a profound commitment to supporting our Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander students. Through initiatives like the Program for Asian American Students Advancement and the Asian American Connections Center, we are dedicated to breaking down barriers and fostering a supportive environment that nurtures academic success, cultural connection, and personal growth. As we celebrate AANAPISI Week, we reaffirm our mission to create a space where every student’s voice is heard, valued, and uplifted, paving the way for a more equitable and compassionate community.” — Virak Uy, director of external affairs and programs for Asian American student advancement, Middlesex Community College (Massachusetts)
NAPIC affirms its unwavering support for our Minority-Serving Institution (MSIs) colleagues and the students served nationwide. While this article highlights the work of AANAPISI institutions, we believe that MSIs across the nation share similarly impactful narratives — each demonstrating meaningful outcomes and transformative influence on the students and communities served. We are committed to pursuit of equitable access and equitable outcomes and the lifting of all. It is getting hard to be hopeful, but encouragement can be found in the work of our employees and our students.
“No matter what kind of difficult situation one may find oneself in… What’s most important is to hold fast to Hope, to face the future with courage.” — Daisaku Ikeda
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Stephanie J. Fujii, Ph.D., is president of Arapahoe Community College (Colorado) and president of the National Asian Pacific Islander Council.
Rowena M. Tomaneng, Ed.D., is deputy chancellor of the California Community Colleges and NAPIC past-president.
