February 22, 2024 - Chico State Secures Funding for AANHPI Student Center

Dear Campus Community, 
  
I’m delighted to share that Chico State has successfully secured a $400,000 grant from the California State University to establish an AANHPI Student Center, a long-needed resource that will serve as a hub for empowerment, community-building, and holistic support for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. Opening in fall 2024, the AANHPI Student Center will offer a comprehensive range of services, including academic support, tutoring, advising, emotional well-being support, professional development opportunities, community space, annual events, mentoring programs, undergraduate research opportunities, and leadership development initiatives. 
  
This center will play a vital role in enhancing the overall well-being and academic success of our AANHPI community. 
 
It is worth noting that Chico State is among the few CSU campuses without culturally specific student resource centers. The AANHPI center is just one step in our commitment to expand the work of the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center to establish culturally specific student support and retention centers. We expect to also open Latinx, Black, and LGBTQ student success centers this fall. 
 
In addition to supporting the establishment of an AANHPI Student Center, the grant will support staff and faculty in our Asian and Pacific Islander Council (APIC) with professional development opportunities. APIC will be a key partner in providing our AANHPI students with mentoring opportunities.   
  
Applying for and ultimately receiving this CSU grant was truly a team effort. I’d like to offer my gratitude and congratulations to all the individuals and departments who contributed to this effort. This includes Dawn Frank (CCLC), William Nitzky (Anthropology Department), Thang Ho (EOP), Joseph Morales and Michelle Morris (University Diversity Council), Isaac Brundage and Cirilo Cortez (Student Affairs), Tricia Douthit and Peter Owens (Institutional Research) and Seema Sehrawat and Lori Miller (President’s Office). Each of these individuals, as well as others, played a crucial role in shaping and advocating for our proposal. 
  
Please join me in celebrating this fantastic news. 
  
Thank You, 
Steve Perez