On May 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Michigan. Michigan is home to more than 377,000 Asian Americans — nearly 4% of the state’s population.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders living in Michigan are a vital and valued part of our state, making significant contributions to academia, business, medicine, law, technology, government, science, and social justice, making our state a better place to live,” states Whitmer’s proclamation.
MCAN believes in establishing an equitable, student-centric approach to postsecondary education. According to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute and the National Center for Education Statistics, 60.8% of Asian Americans and 27.4% of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders ages 18 to 24 were enrolled in college in 2022. Celebrating AAPI students, especially following the uptick of bullying in schools since the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic, is essential to fostering the welcoming environment essential to student success.
College Educated has compiled an extensive bank of resources for AAPI college students. Among the resources is information on AAPI history, activism, and identifiers, literature examining the “model minority” myth, mental health statistics and resources, anti-racism resources, a directory of intersectional AAPI organizations, helpful podcasts, and much more.
This month also marks the 20th anniversary of Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars (APIA Scholars). The Washington D.C. nonprofit is dedicated to supporting the academic, personal, and professional successes of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students. APIA Scholars has awarded over $150 million in scholarships since its founding, making it a beneficial organization for students faced with financial barriers to postsecondary education.
APIA Scholars recently partnered with the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) for a webinar discussing common mental health challenges and stressors among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander college students. Partnerships like this help expand the network of resources and tools available to current and aspiring students.
Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2024!
Join us in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This month we recognize and reflect on the contributions and achievements of AAPI students across Michigan.