Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Advisory Committee
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.
The AANAPISI Planning Group's mission is to raise awareness of our AANHPI employees and students at Montgomery College. We offer resources to support their success, helping them thrive and achieve their professional and personal goals both at the College and within the surrounding community.
The AANHPI Advisory Committee meets once a month (except January), 12:00-1:00 p.m. Please see meeting dates below for Fall 25/Spring 26.
- February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8
Faculty and staff can also join our MS Teams Group for the latest updates and informations. Email us if you would like to be added to the AANAPISI Planning Group Teams Site.
Join our AANHPI Advisory Committee for our upcoming events!
- Valentine's Origami, February 12, 3:30-5:00, Rockville Campus
Join MC Wellness, the Montgomery College Rising Professionals Association (MCPRA), and the AANHPI Advisory Committee for a relaxing Valentine’s Day gathering featuring music therapy, sweet treats, and flower-folding activities.
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 new window to learn more about this well-deserved recognition.
- Mai Toyofuku is the recipient of the 2025 Safety Professional Award new window, 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 new window as a White House Fellow.
View recordings of past events hosted by the AANHPI Advisory Committee and other units at MC.
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. | Wednesday, May 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m., via Zoom
Hear the inspiring stories of these AANHPI professionals who are enhancing the field of STEM, an event hosted by the ignITe Hub| Monday, May 6, 6:00-8:00 p.m., in-person and 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. | Wednesday, May 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m., via Zoom
Ways for employees and students to contribute to the MC AANHPI Advisory Committee
Our AANHPI Advisory Committee is opened to everyone at the College regardless of your ethnicity and background.
We meet once a month and work together to find resources to help and connect the AANHPI employee and student populations at MC. These resources include conferences, scholarships, grants, and financial supports.
Some of the AANHPI Advisory Committee objectives include:
- Research resources and services students may need to enhance their holistic experience at MC
- Explore mentoring opportunities for students in these demographic populations
- Explore internal/external mentoring opportunities for employees in these demographic populations
- Provide external connection group information (community group, cohort, etc.)
- Research external professional development opportunities for students (conference, webinars, local events, etc.)
- Explore opportunities for faculty, staff, and administrators to participate in workshops, seminars, conferences, or other avenues to increase awareness
- Explore opportunities to engage in community events
- Explore opportunities to engage in collegewide events (e.g., AANAPISI Week, AANHPI Heritage Month)
To be eligible as a designated AANAPISI, an institution must meet several criteria as outlined in Section 312(b) of the Higher Education Act, which include:
- Undergraduate enrollment is at least 10 percent,
- Enrollment of at least 50 percent of students with low-economic background, and
- Institutions maintain low average of educational and general expenditures.
Learn more about the importance of AANAPISI in supporting Asian and Pacific Islander
students (PDF, 
) .
- Native American Pacific Islanders—The term ‘Native American Pacific Islander’ means
any descendant of the aboriginal people of any island in the Pacific Ocean that is
a territory or possession of the United States.
- “Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander” includes Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Guamanian
or Chamorro, Fijian, Tongan, or Marshallese peoples and encompasses the people within
the United States jurisdictions of Melanesia,
Micronesia, and Polynesia
If you have questions or need more information about the AANHPI Advisory Committee, please email us and/or contact Nghi Nguyen, and/or Dr. Hoa Nguyen.
At MC, the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging new window envisions a community where equity and belonging guide every experience. Grounded in our Cultural Diversity Plan, we cultivate an environment where all members feel valued and included, preparing students, faculty, and staff to lead with integrity, compassion, and respect.
Updated: 2/6/2026