Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution
On September 27, 2007, Congress established the AANAPISI program to enhance the availability and quality of postsecondary education for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. Montgomery College is proud to be a designated AANAPISI institution.
The AANAPISI Planning Group's mission is to raise awareness of our AANHPI employees and students at Montgomery College. We offer resources to support their success, helping them thrive and achieve their professional and personal goals both at the College and within the surrounding community.
To: Montgomery College Community
From: Kimberly Jones, Interim Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Office of Equity and
Inclusion
Subject: Invitation to Join the AANAPISI Task Force
Date: September 5, 2024
I am excited to share an important initiative that aligns with our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all community members. Since 2010, based on our Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA&NHPI) student enrollment, Montgomery College has been designated as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
To enhance the success and engagement of our AA&NHPI students and employees, we are forming an AANAPISI Task Force and seeking dedicated students, faculty, and staff from across the College to express their interest in joining this effort. If you are passionate about equity and inclusion and are interested in contributing to this important work, we invite you to express your interest in joining the AANAPISI Task Force. Please complete the interest formnew window by Monday, September 16th.
The task force will begin work this month with the goal of completing its report by June 30, 2025. It is expected that the task force will meet monthly, with additional meetings as needed.
The task force is charged with:
- Identifying, analyzing, and discussing gaps and opportunities for improvement in access, completion, and post-completion success for Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA&NHPI) students and community members.
- Participating in meetings with senior College leaders or their delegates with community groups to learn how the College can partner more deeply with the community to address gaps and opportunities.
- Collaborating with the Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs and other key individuals to identify and apply for AANAPISI grant opportunities to strengthen MC’s support of AA&NHPI students.
- Providing recommendations to senior leaders that are focused on eliminating gaps while simultaneously increasing student success at the College through a lens of inclusive excellence.
Your participation will be vital in shaping the inclusive and supportive environment for our AA&NHPI students and community members. Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a meaningful impact at Montgomery College.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Planning Group for their work and dedication in proposing this work. Your efforts provide a strong foundation for the task force, and your contributions are deeply appreciated.
View recordings of past events hosted by the AANAPISI Planning Group and other units at MC.
The panel delved into the important initiatives that support and elevate the visibility of AANHPI students and employees. Panelists included Dr. Janelle Wong, Ms. Jocelyn Park, Dr. Joe Stumpf, and Ms. Kimmy Duong. | Wednesday, May 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m., via Zoom
Hear the inspiring stories of these AANHPI professionals who are enhancing the field of STEM, an event hosted by the ignITe Hub| Monday, May 6, 6:00-8:00 p.m., in-person and Zoom
Author Nghi Nguyen, also known by the pen name N.N. Nicky, discusses the inspirations and backgrounds behind his debut novel, Red Oak: A Collection of Short Stories. | Wednesday, May 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m., via Zoom
Ways for employees and students to contribute to the MC AANAPISI Planning Group
Our Planning Group is opened to everyone at the College regardless of your ethnicity and background.
We meet once a month and work together to find resources to help and connect the AANHPI employee and student populations at MC. These resources include conferences, scholarships, grants, and financial supports.
Some of the AANAPISI Planning Group objectives include:
- Research resources and services students may need to enhance their holistic experience at MC
- Explore mentoring opportunities for students in these demographic populations
- Explore internal/external mentoring opportunities for employees in these demographic populations
- Provide external connection group information (community group, cohort, etc.)
- Research external professional development opportunities for students (conference, webinars, local events, etc.)
- Explore opportunities for faculty, staff, and administrators to participate in workshops, seminars, conferences, or other avenues to increase awareness
- Explore opportunities to engage in community events
- Explore opportunities to engage in collegewide events (e.g., AANAPISI Week, AANHPI Heritage Month)
To be eligible as a designated AANAPISI, an institution must meet several criteria as outlined in Section 312(b) of the Higher Education Act, which include:
- Undergraduate enrollment is at least 10 percent,
- Enrollment of at least 50 percent of students with low-economic background, and
- Institutions maintain low average of educational and general expenditures.
Learn more about the importance of AANAPISI in supporting Asian and Pacific Islander
students (PDF, 
) .
- Native American Pacific Islanders—The term ‘Native American Pacific Islander’ means
any descendant of the aboriginal people of any island in the Pacific Ocean that is
a territory or possession of the United States.
- “Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander” includes Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Guamanian
or Chamorro, Fijian, Tongan, or Marshallese peoples and encompasses the people within
the United States jurisdictions of Melanesia,
Micronesia, and Polynesia
If you have questions or need more information about the AANAPISI Planning Group, please contact Nghi Nguyen and/or Dr. Shinta Hernandez.
Updated 9.3.2024