Serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Students: Examining How Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Build Students' Capacities

• Published in: Review of higher education 2025, Vol.48 (2), p.239-275
• Main Author: Nguyen, Mike Hoa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access to Education; Accountability; Asian American Students; Asian Americans; Capacity Building; Case studies; College campuses; College students; Educational Experience; Educational Needs; Educational Opportunities; Governance; Higher education; Integrated approach; Leadership Training; Learning Experience; Minority Serving Institutions; Minority students; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Organizational Effectiveness; Outcomes of Education; Pacific Islander people; Pacific Islanders; Program Implementation; Race; Racial Composition; Recognition (Achievement); Social Environment; Universities
• ISSN: 0162-5748; 1090-7009; 1090-7009
• DOI: 10.1353/rhe.2025.a946307

This study examines how Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) serve Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA&NHPI) students. Through a two-site case study of a community college on the west coast and a regional comprehensive university on the east coast, this study details the processes that are undertaken to serve and enhance the educational experiences of AA&NHPI students by building their capacities. Findings suggests that federally-funded AANAPISIs design and implement their programs in a manner that reflects the lived experiences and realities of AA&NHPI students through academic coursework, co-curricular programming, and research opportunities, in an intentional and strategic multilayered process, which resembles a developmental nested design focused on five thematic domains. Implications for policy, practice, and research are also offered to advance the work of AANAPISIs.