At the California State University—known for its diverse student body—more than 16% of students are of Asian, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian and/or Southeast Asian descent. During Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month, the CSU highlights a wide range of programs and efforts to support these students across the state.
“The CSU's APIDA centers foster a sense of belonging and inclusion by engaging with students and creating a supportive environment where they feel valued and affirmed," says Judith Millsap, systemwide director for Student Equity Strategic Initiatives. “In addition to supporting the distinct cultural and educational needs of APIDA students, these centers help diversify the CSU community, enriching the educational experience for all students and reflecting the varied backgrounds and perspectives within the CSU system."
The CSU recently announced the allocation of $6.4 million to support Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program campus activities. The awards are part of an annual $8 million appropriations as directed by Assembly Bill 190 (AB 190) to establish a central statewide office.
Learn about just a few of the university's centers and programs for APIDA students.
Support for AANHPI and APIDA Students at CSULB
Nearly one-quarter of the student body at Cal State Long Beach is made up of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. These students are a big part of what makes CSULB unique, but AANHPI students can still struggle to succeed.
In recognition of that struggle, the Department of Education has awarded CSULB not one but two grants from its Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Program—a Title III, Part F, grant in 2021 and a Title V, Part A, grant in 2022. CSULB is one of the few institutions to receive both types of funding to support AANHPI and low-income students.
Funded by the first of the two grants, Project Resilience has four main objectives to support students at CSULB and prepare them for life after graduation: to support wellness and mental health, to offer work-based learning experiences and skill development, to provide faculty and staff development—the program has hosted workshops to help faculty and staff learn strategies to support AANHPI students—and to offer academic support through learning communities.
The AANAPI Student Success Center & Development (ASCEND) program, funded by the second AANAPISI grant, seeks to address students' social, emotional and academic needs. The ASCEND program offers students direct financial assistance, mentoring and tutoring, leadership and career workshops and support for student organizations. It also creates diversity, equity and inclusion workshops for faculty to enhance access, affordability, completion and post-enrollment success for students in STEM majors. It also offers scholarships and research grants specific to STEM majors and anticipates to directly subsidize the educational and living expenses of hundreds of students.
“Students share with me that their lives are difficult. They want to perform better, but how are they going to perform better if they don't even know how they are going to pay rent next month?" CSULB Engineering Professor Pitiporn Asvapathanagul, one of the lead grant writers, said in a CSULB news article. “I would say that all of our students need support. Other faculty and I, if we do not try to seize the opportunity for the student, who will do it?"
Project Resilience and ASCEND are complementary and promote high-impact educational practices and holistic support for AANHPI and low-income students at CSULB. The ASCEND program's financial support allows students to focus on their academics and help them graduate in a timely manner, while tutoring is offered to help them succeed in their more difficult courses. Project Resilience also seeks to support academic success by addressing the mental health challenges and inequities specific to AANHPI students. Both AANAPISI grant programs work to address the many challenges of the multifaceted student body at CSULB.
CSULB is also home to the Asian, Pacific Islander & Desi (APID) Resource Center. Established in 2023, the APID Resource Center provides catered support and programming for students of Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi heritage, as well as a physical space for students to build community and obtain school or basic needs resources. The center hosts and co-sponsors events for many AANHPI communities including cultural welcomes, a heritage month celebration and cultural graduations, which provide opportunities for several AANHPI groups to celebrate the accomplishments of graduating students with families and friends. Under its first assistant director, Shannyn Sayula, the APID Resource Center plays a key role in connecting students, staff, faculty and communities on campus.
A 'Full Circle' for AANHPI Students at Sacramento State
The Full Circle Project (FCP) is a comprehensive academic support program created by Sacramento State in collaboration with its Department of Ethnic Studies and the Asian American Studies program. For more than a dozen years, FCP has supported Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students transitioning from high school and community college by fostering a transformational university experience as prospective graduates of Sacramento State.
FCP offers learning communities, academic advising, and leadership and career development. FCP is widely recognized as a model student success program and is now on the forefront of using predictive analytics and modeling new technology platforms to enable more proactive academic advising, allowing advisors to focus their attention on students most in need of support.
Hnou Lee, who was part of the first FCP cohort, went on to become a counselor for the FCP program. Among other things, Lee recruits local high school students to the program.
“I tell them that FCP will help them with academics and leadership development, and give them a true sense of community," Lee said in a Sacramento State news story. “I tell them that it's a truly transformative college experience."
Sacramento State is also home to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Center. Launched in February 2023, the APIDA Center is a safe gathering space where students can receive advice and support from their peers. The center promotes and affirms the experiences of students who identify as part of the Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi diaspora. The center educates and engages with students to foster holistic, academic and personal development to raise cultural awareness and advocacy needs.
Across Sacramento State and in the community, the center is committed to holding space to cultivate collaboration to address the unique and diverse needs of APIDA students and issues impacting these communities.
Fresno Emphasizes AAPI, Southeast Asian Student Success
At Fresno State, the Southeast Asian Student Success Center was established in July of 2023, with the goal of boosting retention and graduation rates among Southeast Asian students. Under the leadership of Dr. Shimel Her Saychou, the center's approach focuses on creating a vibrant, supportive community that not only emphasizes academic excellence but also nurtures a sense of belonging and cultural diversity.
The center offers comprehensive mentoring, academic support and a range of programs designed to keep students engaged with their studies and the campus community. By focusing on retention and graduation, the center aims to lay the groundwork for lifelong learning, empowering students to take charge of their education and pursue their academic goals with confidence. Alongside academic achievement, the center's offerings include career readiness, leadership development, cultural enrichment and peer mentorship, providing students with the skills and support they need to thrive academically and professionally.
Fresno State is also home to the Cross-Cultural and Gender Center, established in 2015. Among center's initiatives is the Asian Pacific Islander Programs and Services (APIPS), which provides personalized support and programming for students of AANHPI heritage.
Led by assistant coordinator Kathy Moua, APIPS is committed to merging both the academic and student life aspects of a student's experience, aiming to provide a holistic and enriching environment that addresses the diverse needs and interests of AANHPI students.
APIPS organizes culturally enriching programs and experiences that educate the Fresno State community about various AANHPI traditions. Working closely with departments and organizations such as the Asian Faculty and Staff Association and Asian American Studies, APIPS ensures that events like Hmong New Year and Lunar New Year are celebrated with compassion and reverence. Additionally, APIPS hosts a dedicated AANHPI room where students can connect with peers, foster community and access resources to support their journey at Fresno State.
APIPS takes proactive steps to empower AANHPI students, collaborating frequently with AANHPI student organizations on campus to deliver welcoming programs and events. Moua leads the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Leadership Council, which meets twice a semester to provide space for student leaders, staff, faculty and community members to share their events with each other and ensure their success. Furthermore, APIPS organizes trips to conferences such as the Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education conference, empowering students to advocate for change and diversity in higher education.
Beyond campus, APIPS engages with the broader community through partnerships with local organizations, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for AANHPI students and their families. By celebrating and amplifying the voices and experiences of AANHPI communities, APIPS ensures that Fresno State becomes a supportive home away from home for all AANHPI students, both on campus and beyond.
Learn more about the CSU's work to support Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) student success.