“Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to providing our students with opportunities to connect across our campus, and that includes finding communities in which they feel culturally connected. Our ADPI-MENA students contribute significantly to the tapestry of our campus, and this grant allows us to expand our support in ways they have been asking the University to do for some time. This is an important point in the evolution of our student success efforts, and it will allow us to demonstrate the positive impacts culturally relevant programming has on our student engagement and ultimate graduation,” says Chrissy Holliday, vice president for Enrollment Management & Student Success.
The grant is part of a wider state initiative to support Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students in the CSU system. This initiative, known as the AANHPI Student Achievement Program, was established by California legislation and was added to the California Education Code in 2022. The goal of the CSU AANHPI Student Achievement Program is to enhance educational experiences and promote higher education success for underserved and first-generation AANHPI students and other underrepresented students.
Sixteen CSU campuses, including Humboldt, Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fresno, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Cal Maritime, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San José, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, and Sonoma, will receive an allocation of the $6.4 million grant. Awards range from $200,000 to $460,000.
The allocations are part of a $8 million grant, as directed by Assembly Bill (AB) 190, to establish a central statewide office, located at Sacramento State University.
The grant will specifically support the University’s development of curriculum and support for the Critical Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program, professional development for faculty and staff, mental health and basic needs resources for ADPI-MENA students, student/staff/faculty travel, and professional support for the development of a Cultural Center for Academic Excellence for ADPI-MENA students.
The CSU educates the most ethnically, economically, and academically diverse student body in the nation, with more than 16% of students identifying as Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. Fourteen of CSU’s 23 campuses are designated as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), allowing them to compete for federal and private grants that strengthen student success for underserved communities.
“The grant is a reflection of the work of a team of faculty, staff, and students who are dedicated to providing a welcoming environment for ADPI-MENA students that is reflective of the diverse cultural and academic needs of our students,” says Ravin Craig, director of Student Life.