West LA Times

Seventeen years ago, Congress created the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) designation to support underserved students from these communities. Today, over 200 institutions hold this status, including UCLA.

"The AANAPISI designation will allow UCLA to tap new sources of funding that will help us foster a welcoming and supportive environment where all students can thrive," said Interim Chancellor Darnell Hunt. "This designation is also an important signal to our community that we are committed to working closely with our Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students to address their unique challenges, uplift their voices and ensure their success at UCLA."

Students face various challenges such as financial instability or lack of guidance, which can lead to higher dropout rates. Many are first-generation college attendees or come from backgrounds unfamiliar with university life. Others experience issues related to campus racial climate.

The AANAPISI designation makes UCLA eligible for federal funds aimed at enhancing research activities and services for low-income, first-generation, transfer, and other underrepresented students. Funds could be used for outreach programs, retention efforts, mentoring initiatives, research projects on ethnic groups' intersectional issues, student group activities enhancement, resource centers creation for well-being and belonging support.

UC Berkeley received its first AANAPISI federal grant last year and used it for student conferences and artist-in-residence programs focused on specific communities.

"Building a comprehensive ecosystem of support for students — and their families and communities — who are facing the greatest challenges is an urgent call that UCLA needs to answer," said Vice Provost David Yoo.

“The UCLA AANAPISI designation represents the importance of understanding the various lived experiences of students on campus,” said Willa Mei Kurland from the UC-wide AANAPISI initiative. She noted there isn't a single experience shared by all AA&NHPI students.

Despite perceptions of universal high achievement among Asian Americans due in part to the “model minority myth,” significant differences exist among nearly 50 ethnic groups within this category. The committee's report emphasized improving recruitment outcomes for underrepresented groups like Native Hawaiians or Southeast Asians.

Genevieve Chin highlighted breaking down monolithic views about what being Asian American means: "There are a lot of different groups that deserve different approaches if we want equity."

UCLA's efforts align with broader goals across University California campuses seeking dual designations as both Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) by 2030 while maintaining commitments toward inclusive excellence through minority-serving institution statuses administered via U.S Department Education programs designed specifically addressing inequities faced diverse populations nationwide today more than ever before seen possible achievable future generations ahead us now together united front standing strong steadfastly resolute determined succeed no matter obstacles may arise along journey undertaken thus far already accomplished much remains done yet hopeful optimistic better tomorrow awaits all involved process ongoing continuous improvement long-term sustainable growth development overall community collective whole society large interconnectedness shared responsibility accountability transparency fairness justice equality opportunity access empowerment enrichment fulfillment 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