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Dear Hornet Community,
As a designated Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI)*, Sacramento State is committed to affirming, highlighting, supporting, and promoting the academic achievement, lived experiences, engagement, and civic participation of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA). In recognition of AANAPISI Week, Sept. 25-Oct. 1, we are excited to celebrate Sacramento State as the recipient of multiple AANAPISI funding grants totaling close to $17.5 million dollars.
From 2011 to 2021, $6 million in federal funding has supported the comprehensive academic support, co-curricular activities, and cultural and leadership development of programs such as the Full Circle Project (FCP), now the longest-running AANAPISI focused program in the CSU system. FCP has been recognized as a “Model of Success” by the Center for Minority Serving Institutions and profiled in “What Works Now” by the Campaign for College Opportunity. To continue the growth, innovation, and legacy of serving APIDA communities, Sacramento State celebrated the grand opening of the APIDA Center earlier this year. The APIDA Center expands opportunities and offers robust and vibrant programming through an equity-centered and advocacy framework. Furthermore, it educates about and engages in serving the holistic needs of APIDA students. The center works to increase graduation rates for low-income and first-generation APIDA students and holds space to cultivate collaborations to address the unique and diverse needs of APIDA communities. AANAPISI funding supports comprehensive academic achievement, leadership and identity development, and culturally relevant curriculum and services in close partnership with the Department of Ethnic Studies and the Asian American Studies program in the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies.
Sacramento State’s Asian American Studies program has also been at the forefront of addressing the rise of anti-Asian hate on our campus and in our region, leading to a $3.5 million Stop the Hate (STH) grant from the California State Department of Social Services. Sac State, in a regional STH partnership with other community-based organizations, is providing mental health and supportive services to victims and survivors of hate incidents, as well as facilitating hate crime intervention and prevention measures. In addition, the STH funding supports student and community documentarians to tell the stories of community resilience and counter the narratives of victimization and disenfranchisement that proliferated during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of anti-Asian hate. This funding is the foundation for the new Ethnic Studies media lab located in Library 19 and 20. Sacramento State is the only CSU campus to receive STH funding.
Moreover, Sacramento State and the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies recently hired four new faculty members with expertise in anti-Asian violence, two in Asian American Studies, one in Asian Studies, and one in Sociology. Together, the new faculty will develop courses and culturally relevant programs that deepen understanding, empathy, and alliances across an array of racial groups. This expansion will also enhance Sacramento State's efforts to respond to community needs and challenges regarding anti-Asian hate.
The University’s high-profile efforts to close equity gaps, improve graduation rates, and help students of all backgrounds led to Sacramento State being selected as the central office for the California State University Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program. The APIDA Center will receive $8 million annually from the state to provide support to CSU campuses in the form of grants, technical help, outreach, statewide and regional training, and curriculum development. These resources will be used to attract, retain, graduate, and support the career launch and development of our AANHPI students.
Additionally, in partnership with the Division of Inclusive Excellence and the University Library’s Japanese Archival Collection, the 2023-24 One Book Program features the book Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston. This riveting memoir shares the challenges that imprisoned Japanese Americans faced during World War II.
As we continue on our shared journey to become an Antiracism and Inclusive Campus community, please join a national AANAPISI Week webinar scheduled from 3:30-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, which will focus on empowering faculty, staff, students, and young leaders to take action in support of AANAPISI individuals. All are welcome to register and participate in the seminar, which will be hosted virtually via Zoom.
In partnership,
Dr. Mia Settles-Tidwell,
VP for Inclusive Excellence & University Diversity Officer
* 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.
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