Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Committee at MC
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.
Join the MC AANHPI Book Club for the Fall 2026 semester as we dive into Yoko Ogawa's The Memory Police.
On an unnamed island, objects are disappearing: first hats, then ribbons, birds, roses. . . . Most of the inhabitants are oblivious to these changes, while those few able to recall the lost objects live in fear of the draconian Memory Police, who are committed to ensuring that what has disappeared remains forgotten. When a young writer discovers that her editor is in danger, she concocts a plan to hide him beneath her floorboards, and together they cling to her writing as the last way of preserving the past. Powerful and provocative, The Memory Police is a stunning novel about the trauma of loss.
The Book Club meets every other Friday, 1:00-2:00 pm, with dates below:
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- September 18: Chapters 1-5
- October 2: Chapters 6-11 | October 16: Chapters 12-15 | October 30: Chapters 16-19
- November 13: Chapters 20-24
- December 4: Chapters 25-28, Final meeting
Contact Yvonne Hu-Cotto, Michelle Chan, and/or Nghi Nguyen if you are interested in joing the Book Club.
View recordings of past events hosted by the AANHPI Advisory Committee and other units at MC.
Thursday, May 7, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Rockville Campus, Ignite Hub, Mannakee Building 105
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.
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.
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.
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 2026
- Thi Hoang (Excellence in Innovation), Angie Moy (Excellence in Performance), Thanh King (Excellence in Customer Service)
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.