Cal State LA is deeply proud to be an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, a status the University has held since the designation was established in 2007.
What is an AANAPISI?
To qualify as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, or AANAPISI, an educational institution must serve a population comprised of 10% or more full-time undergraduate students who identify as Asian American and/or Native American Pacific Islander and must be designated as an eligible institution under the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 and/or the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. Of the 23 campuses that make up the California State University system, 13 are AANAPISIs, including Cal State LA.
Supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander Students
Asian Pacific Islander Student Resource Center (APISRC)
The Asian Pacific Islander Student Resource Center provides services, support, events, and programs for students who identify as part of, or are interested in, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and South Asian/Desi community and culture.
AANHPI Student Achievement Program
Cal State LA received over $370k in grant funding under a program established by California legislation and added to the California Education Code in 2022; the CSU AANHPI Student Achievement Program seeks to enhance student educational experiences and promote higher education success for underserved and first-generation AANHPI students and other underrepresented students.
APIDA Graduation Celebration
During this event, graduates can celebrate the cultural influences and traditions that have contributed to their academic success.
Asian and Asian American Studies Department
The Department of Asian and Asian American Studies (AAAS) traces its origins to 1993 is now housed in the College of Ethnic Studies. AAAS is an interdisciplinary program that is built on the foundation of languages, literature, cultures and histories of Asia and the experience of Asians and Pacific Islanders as a racial minority in the US.
AAPI Affinity Group
AAPI Affinity Group
The AAPI Affinity Group engages in activities that support a sense of belonging and the professional development of faculty and staff at Cal State LA who identify as AAPI or have an interest in learning more about AAPI culture and experiences. The organization also aims to advocate for increased awareness of AAPI histories and issues and for positive change.
AANHPI Coalition: Enhancing a Faculty-Staff Network for Equity
In 2024, Cal State LA was awarded $35k in grant funding to increase a sense of belonging of AANHPI faculty and staff and to build a foundation that will create a nurturing environment for AANHPI and other students engagement and success. The primary focus of this grant is to further develop the AAPI Faculty and Staff Affinity Group that was started in Fall 2022 and in collaboration with the group, offer AANHPI-focused programming of interest to group members and the campus community at large. The AAPI Faculty and Staff Affinity group and all events are open to anyone, regardless of race, color, national origin, and sex.