Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander at Montgomery College
The MC Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Employee Resource Group 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 institutionnew window.
Come celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month at Montgomery College with an exciting and vibrant event honoring the cultures of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. We invite all students, employees, and community members to enjoy an afternoon filled with live performances, cultural showcases, and hands-on activities that reflect the rich traditions and diversity within AANHPI communities.
Students, faculty, and staff can also sample some delicious foods. Interactive stations, cultural crafts, and community partner tables will be set up throughout the venue, providing opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate.
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. Here, you will learn about Asian Pacific American history, stories, and receive several book and video recommendations. You will also find helpful research databases and resources from MC, as well as local, and national sources, all dedicated to Asian Pacific Americans.
Join us for a month-long celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month with a variety of events at Montgomery College and Montgomery County.
Wednesday, April 30, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Heritage Month Kick-Off Event, Rockville Campus, Theatre Arts (TA) Arena
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.
Sunday, May 4, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Montgomery County AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration Event, Seneca Valley High School,
19401 Crystal Rock Dr., Germantown MD 20874
As a part of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) 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 fourth-annual AAPI Heritage Month Celebration!
This year, on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 11am-4pm, 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!
Monday, May 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Fireside Chat Career Series: Radical Hope Innovators and Trailblazers in the AANHPI
Community, ignITe Hub, MK 107
The ignITe Hub hosts a monthly Fireside Chat Career Series. Each month, we will host a trailblazing guest speaker to explore their unique tech career path. We will learn what sparked their interest in this area, meaningful experiences that impacted their journey and career advice for aspiring techies. Thank you to Verizon for their generous sponsorship of this series.
Join us for an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) panel session. Hear the inspiring stories of these AANHPI professionals who are enhancing their fields.
This is a hybrid event and dinner will be provided for in-person attendees.
6:00 p.m. – Dinner for In-Person Guests | 6:30-8:00 p.m. – Presentation
Tuesday, May 6, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Let’s Talk Data on our AANHPI Students, via Zoom
Join us to explore trends, celebrate achievements, and discuss challenges facing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students at Montgomery College. This data workshop offers valuable insights and enhances understanding of the college AANAPISI designation (Asian American, Native American (Hawaiian) and Pacific Islander Students Serving Institute.
Access Event Zoom Linknew window | Meeting ID: 918 7230 9354, Passcode: 677590
Wednesday, May 7, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Asian Cultural Crafts - Origami, Rockville Campus, SV Atrium
Join us for a hands-on cultural event celebrating the art of origami—the traditional Japanese craft of paper folding.
Participants will explore the creativity of origami by learning to fold decorative paper flowers. Whether you're new to origami or already experienced, this event offers a fun and relaxing way to engage with a meaningful cultural tradition.
Bring your curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to try something new as we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month through the shared joy of making art by hand.
Wednesday, May 14, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Connecting Through Cultural Languages, via Zoom
Join us for an engaging event celebrating the rich diversity of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) cultures through language.
This interactive session features speakers who will share insights into their cultural languages and the deeper meanings behind words and names. In many cultures, a single word can carry multiple meanings, and even a person’s name can hold powerful significance and cultural value.
Whether you speak multiple languages or are simply curious to learn, come connect, share, and celebrate the voices and stories that shape our identities.
Wednesday, May 21, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Traditional AANHPI Attires, Rockville Campus, SV 416
Celebrate the vibrant diversity of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander cultures through traditional clothing and attire. We will have presentations that explore the cultural significance, history, and symbolism behind traditional costumes from various AANHPI communities.
The presenter will share personal stories, cultural insights, and historical context surrounding the garments from their cultural background. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how traditional clothing reflects values, customs, and regional identities across the AANHPI diaspora.
Thursday, May 22, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
TaijiFit, MC Wellness, Rockville Campus, SV 417
TaijiFit is a mind/body “exercise” that combines the best of traditional Taiji (Tai Chi) and QiGong movements, combined with modern music and easy instruction. It’s a workout appropriate for any age or fitness level that has you experiencing the FLOW (Tai Chi done smoothly, continuously and effortlessly connecting Body, Mind and Spirit) whether it’s your first class or 100th. There are no routines to learn, or set choreography to remember. You'll discover how to use TaijiFit for better balance, pain reduction and heart health. It’s more than just an exercise. It is also a moving meditation, a shield against disease, and a beautiful sensual dance that can make you sweat and smile at the same time.
Listen to our employees share their warm wishes for a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year.
On January 10, 2025, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) hosted a convening in Washington, D.C., celebrating the resilience and achievements of AA and NHPI communities under the Biden-Harris Administration. The event featured cultural performances from various local groups, including the Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc. Their performance was led by Assistant Art Director Vathany Say, who is also a part-time faculty member at Montgomery College.
You can watch the WHIAANHPI Convening: A Community of Partnershipsnew window video online. The Cambodian Buddhist Society's performance begins at the 2:05:01 mark.
In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed May 10, 1869.
In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a monthlong celebration that is now known as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Per a 1997 U.S. Office of Management and Budget directive, the Asian or Pacific Islander racial category was separated into two categories: one being Asian and the other Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. Thus, this Facts for Features contains a section for each.
View some facts from the Census Bureau about the AANHPI communitynew window.
The Lunar New Year is the most important social and economic holiday for billions of people around the world. The holiday is tied to the lunar-solar Chinese calendar and was originally observed as a time to honor household and heavenly deities and ancestors.
Today, Lunar New Year is a special time to bring friends and family together for feasting and festivities in China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Mongolia and other countries all over the world. (Information taken from Center for International Affairs - Lunar New Year website.)
Are you interested in being on the Planning Committee? 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’re interested in receiving information on scholarships, training, internships, and other opportunities for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students, you can join the AANHPI Student Distribution List.
By signing up, you’ll receive regular emails with updates on scholarships, internships, and more specifically available to AANHPI students.
The Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Scholarship Programsnew window are available to all US Citizens and permanent residents (except the 3 Gold scholarships that will be reserved for Vietnamese students from Vietnam, who have been accepted to US universities) who demonstrate:
- Outstanding academic achievement
- Strong leadership potential
- A track record of service to the communities
- Pride in their culture and heritage, and
- A passion to apply their academic background to create a better world
- Financial need
- Special consideration will be given to students with unique situations, for example:
- Low to moderate incomes
- Single parents returning to school to improve their families’ lives, or
- Students who are trying to recover from a past criminal record and improve their own lives
- Attending the scholarship ceremony to accept the scholarship award
Each undergraduate scholarship will be $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000 annually. The scholarship is renewable annually for up to 4 years, for students who are pursuing a bachelor degree.
***3 Gold scholarships will be reserved for Vietnamese students from Vietnam, who have been accepted to US universities***
Apply for the Scholarshipnew window
Purppose & Vision
The Governor’s Asian Pacific American Affairs (APAA) Commission Youth Fellow Program empowers Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth to become future leaders by fostering civic engagement and addressing the unique needs of Maryland’s diverse AAPI communities. Through partnerships with local organizations, schools, and government agencies, fellows engage in Maryland-focused civic projects, assist Commission subcommittees, and collaborate to develop solutions for challenges facing the AAPI community. This program equips participants with leadership skills, promotes community impact, and builds a pipeline of leaders dedicated to Maryland’s growth.
Program Overview & Timeline
- Program Launch & Outreach: March 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025 Program information, eligibility
details and deadlines shared through schools, community organizations, and AAPI leaders. - Application and Selection: April 1, 2025 – April 30, 2025 The APAA Commission Youth Fellow
selection committee will evaluate applicants based on their leadership potential, community impact,
and civic commitment. - Summer Leadership Training: May 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 Fellows receive practical skills
training in public speaking, project management, and advocacy through partnerships with state
agencies and guest speakers. - School Year Leadership Training: September 1, 2025 - April 30, 2026 Fellows receive practical
skills training in public speaking, project management, and advocacy through partnerships with
state agencies and guest speakers.
Program Structure
- Duration: 4 months to 1 year program.
- Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors, as well as college undergraduates
residing in Maryland. - Cohort Size: 10-15 fellows per year.
Contact Info
- Dr. Yang Yu, Commissioner Chair - Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs
- Ms. Tho Tran, Education Subcommittee Chair - Governor's Commission on Asian
Pacific
Submit Your Applicationnew window
Nghi Nguyen, Chair | Thanh King, Co-Chair | Kaylin Nguyen, Co-Chair | Miho Shimizu | Vathany Say | Sharmini Azeez
Last updated: 5/14/2025