Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander at Montgomery College
The MC Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Advisory Committee is a college-wide community of faculty, staff, and students committed to celebrating the diversity and achievements of AANHPI populations.
Each year, the AANHPI Heritage Month Planning Committee organizes events that provide the College community with opportunities to engage in cultural programming, share knowledge, and explore the contributions of AANHPI individuals. Our signature kick-off event serves as the highlight of our annual AANHPI Heritage Month celebrations.
On September 27, 2007, Congress established the AANAPISI program to enhance the availability and quality of postsecondary education for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. Montgomery College is proud to be a designated AANAPISI institution new window.
A Tale of Three Chinatowns is a feature-length documentary examining how urban development and demographic shifts are reshaping historic ethnic neighborhoods. Focusing on Chinatowns in Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Boston, the film highlights starkly different realities; from Chicago’s expansion to Washington’s dramatic decline, with Boston navigating pressures in between. Through the voices of residents, activists, developers, and public officials, the film explores gentrification, displacement, rising costs, and competing interests over land, identity, and survival.
The screening will feature the film’s director, Lisa Mao, who will be present to watch alongside the audience and participate in a live Q&A discussion following the film, offering unique insights into the filmmaking process and the issues facing these communities today.
Watch the trailer for A Tale of Three Chinatowns new window | Register for Event new window
As a part of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, celebrated in May, the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) and Office of Community Partnerships (OCP) invites you and your whole family to our fifth-annual AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration!
This year, on Sunday, May 3, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., join us for captivating cultural performances, discover resources in the AAPI community, participate in our health fair, kid-friendly activities, and explore the rich cultures of our diverse community! We hope to see you there!
Join us for a month-long celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month with a variety of events at Montgomery College and Montgomery County.
Origami: AANHPI Heritage Month and Mother’s Day Celebrations
Monday, May 4, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Rockville Campus, Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Student Services Center (SV) Lobby
Join us for a fun and relaxing creative experience as we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month and Mother’s Day. Learn how to fold beautiful paper flowers to share with your loved ones!
View Event Flyer (PDF, 
)
MC AANHPI Heritage Month Kick-Off Event
Wednesday, May 6, 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Rockville Campus, Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong
Student Services Center (SV) Lobby
Join us as we kick off AANHPI Heritage Month this May with a festive celebration! Enjoy cultural performances, delicious food, and fun activities for all ages. Come celebrate the rich diversity and vibrant traditions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
View Event Flyer (PDF, )
Career Explorations in Corporate Sustainability (Students Only)
Thursday, May 7, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Rockville Campus, Ignite Hub, Mannakee Building
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A collaborative event between the IgnITe Hub and the Center for Sustainable Business, this student-led panel reflects Montgomery College’s commitment to connecting academic learning with real-world professional insight. Organized and facilitated by MC students, the conversation features Mai Toyofuku, MC Environment Safety Manager, Brian Baick, Accounting Ethics professor, Jocelyn Park, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Investor Relations Manager, and an EPA representative.
Each guest brings a distinct perspective on what it means to build a career centered around environmental responsibility and corporate accountability. From regulatory frameworks to investor relations to ethical business practice, the panel covers the full landscape of sustainability as a professional field. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists, ask questions, and walk away with a broader understanding of the diverse pathways available in corporate sustainability.
View Event Flyer (PDF, ) | Register for Event new window
Author Chats with Nghi Nguyen
Wednesday, May 13, 12:00-1:00 p.m., via Zoom
Join author Nghi Nguyen as he discusses his second short story collection novel, That Missing Piece: A Collection of LGBTQ+ Short Stories new window.
This collection of LGBTQ+ short stories explores the emotional tapestry of life, woven with tears and laughter, family and friendship, love and loss. Each story captures the complexity of romance and the universal longing for connection and acceptance. The characters reveal both the beauty and the flaws of being human as they navigate the spaces between family, identity, and love, each one searching for that missing piece in their lives.
View Event Flyer (PDF, ) | Register for Event new window
Cooking Demo Filipino National Dish
Thursday, May 14, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Central Services, Room S108
Join Dr. Gigi Secuban and the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging as we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a hands-on cooking workshop! Learn how to make fresh, healthy summer rolls (vegetarian-friendly) and Chicken Adobo, the national dish of the Philippines. Participants will gain step-by-step guidance, taste samples, and leave with recipes to recreate these flavorful dishes at home.
View Event Flyer (PDF, ) | Register for Event new window
Introductory Workshop on Mindfulness and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Tuesday, May 19, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Hybrid, Rockville Campus, Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong
Student Services Center (SV), Room 302, and Online via Zoom
Yvonne Hu-Cotto is a mindfulness facilitator certified by Brown University. She is excited to share this beautiful practice with the MC community. This is a 90-minute session that will be offered both in-person and on Zoom. Participants will experience a sitting meditation, a movement/eating mindfulness activity, and discuss what mindfulness is and address common myths. No prior experience is needed. This session is designed for anyone interested in building greater awareness, balance, and resilience in daily life.
View Event Flyer (PDF, ) | Register for Zoom new window
View recordings of past events hosted by the AANHPI Advisory Committee and other units at MC.
AANAPISI Professionals Panel, Wednesday, May 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m., via Zoom
The panel delved into the important initiatives that support and elevate the visibility of AANHPI students and employees. Panelists included Dr. Janelle Wong, Ms. Jocelyn Park, Dr. Joe Stumpf, and Ms. Kimmy Duong.
Fireside Chat Career Series: Celebrating Asian American Achievements in STEM, Monday, May 6, 6:00-8:00 p.m., In-person and Zoom
Hear the inspiring stories of these AANHPI professionals who are enhancing the field of STEM, an event hosted by the ignITe Hub.
Author Chats with Nghi Nguyen, Red Oak: A Collection of Short Stories, Wednesday, May 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m., via Zoom
Author Nghi Nguyen, also known by the pen name N.N. Nicky, discusses the inspirations and backgrounds behind his debut novel, Red Oak: A Collection of Short Stories.
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Celebrating our AANHPI employees and students at Montgomery College who have recently received awards or recognitions. Please let us know if we’ve missed anyone or any awards.
Outstanding Employee Award Recipients 2025
- Saleh Ahmed, Yuling Mei, Xumei Ren, Clint Wu, Sam Aung, Dilki Jayasekera, and Ifang Navintranonth
Special Staff Recognition Award Recipients 2025
- Yvonne Hu-Cotto, David Ma, Michelle Chan, and Miho Shimizu
Staff Distinguished Award 2025
- Thanh King
Recognitions
- Dr. Shinta Hernandez recently received an award for her outstanding work in Open Education. You can read the article to learn more about this well-deserved recognition.
- Mai Toyofuku is the recipient of the 2025 Safety Professional Award, a national recognition presented by the Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA).
- Dr. Hoa Nguyen, Recipient of Coast Guard's Civilian Service Medal 2025 as a White House Fellow.
We are always looking for more ideas to make the Heritage Month Kick-off Festival a fun and learning experience for employees and students at the College. If you want to join the committee or have questions, please send an email to the Planning Committee!
If you are interested in joining the Book Club, please e-mail Yvonne Hu-Cotto, Michelle Chan, and/or Nghi Nguyen. The Zoom meeting link will be provided as well as an invite to the Book Club Teams Site. The AANHPI Book Club reads one book per semester and met twice monthly to discuss chapters of the book.
Montgomery College Library is proud to join in the celebration of the achievements and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans throughout history. This guide is dedicated to Asian Pacific American Heritage.
Last updated: 4/20/2026