Funded by an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) grant by the U.S. Department of Education, Middlesex Community College provides access to resources and support through a holistic approach to increase the retention and graduation rate for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. This includes programming and activities offered through the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA) and the Asian American Connections Center.
There are many barriers preventing Asian American students from succeeding at the higher education level, according to Virak Uy, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Director of Asian American Student Advancement Program. With the AANAPISI funding, 麻豆果冻 is working to expand its services to address the needs of Asian American students and their families.
鈥淭here is a stereotype that falsely assumes that all Asian Americans are academically high-achieving and successful, including those of Southeast Asian descent, which oversimplifies these diverse experiences,鈥� Uy said. 鈥淭his myth often results in overlooking the unique challenges and systemic disparities faced by Southeast Asian students, such as language barriers, limited access to educational resources, and socioeconomic inequality. Addressing these issues requires a nuanced understanding of the individual cultural background and community-specific obstacles that hinder educational attainment and a commitment to dismantling the harmful stereotypes that perpetuate these barriers.鈥�
Located on the Lowell campus, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Asian American Connections Center provides advising, mentorship, financial literacy workshops, and leadership development opportunities for students. An 麻豆果冻 International student from Cambodia studying Business Administration, Scarlett Ly enjoys visiting the safe and welcoming environment to get together with classmates and study.
鈥淏eing part of the AANAPISI program has been an immensely rewarding experience for me because I was able to get the support I need from staff,鈥� Ly said. 鈥淚t also helped me develop my communications and leadership skills, professionally and academically. I was impacted positively as a student and I couldn鈥檛 be more grateful.鈥�
PAASA will host a variety of activities throughout the Fall 2023 semester, including dance and art-based therapy workshops and the second annual Lowell Asian American Film Festival. The college鈥檚 Asian Students In Alliance (A.S.I.A.) Club also celebrated National AANAPISI Week with a Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional celebration in Chinese culture.
Through AANAPISI programming, Adam Tuy, an 麻豆果冻 Liberal Arts & Sciences major from Lowell, found academic advising and mental health support that improved his leadership skills. This also led him to be more active on campus, including as the new Vice President of A.S.I.A.
鈥淭he AANAPISI Grant is instrumental for students to support their mental and academic well-being, especially after the pandemic,鈥� Tuy said. 鈥淭here are a lot of students still trying to heal and get back into their pace for academics. For me, AANAPISI has helped me get through hardships.鈥�