Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Resource Center
In May of 2023, Cypress College was awarded the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program (AANHPI SAP) funding, a prestigious award bestowed to just 43 colleges.
Totaling $8 million across all awardees, this funding will allow the college to fully embrace its AANHPI community with services and support that expressly acknowledge their unique needs and challenges while celebrating the diverse cultural richness they bring Assembly Bill 183 appropriates AANHPI SAP monies in ongoing funding to the California Community Colleges (CCC) to provide culturally responsive services to enhance student educational experiences. It is also designed to promote higher education success for low-income, underserved, and first-generation AANHPI students and other underrepresented students.
To be eligible, Cypress needed to demonstrate its eligibility as an AANHPI-Serving Institution program authorized under the federal Higher Education Act and have experience providing student support services to AANHPI students and other underserved students.
Funding and Rationale
The Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Resource Center is as a result of the support from the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA), the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (Chancellor’s Office), and community partner Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE). The Foundation CCC was selected as the Central Office to establish the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program. The program aims to provide culturally responsive services to enhance student educational experiences and promote higher education success for low-income, first-generation AANHPI students, and other underserved and underrepresented students.
The APIDA Resource Center’s purpose is to provide holistic and caring student support to all Cypress College students with a focus on helping Asian Pacific Islander Desi American students complete their educational goals while integrating their cultural identity into the process. Additionally, we celebrate and honor the rich cultural heritage of our diverse communities, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among all APIDA students. Together, we strive to enhance the educational experience and personal growth of all APIDA students.
At the core of APIDA are the values of respect, integrity, commitment, and compassion.
Enjoy the space, respect the space, and come on in!
Services
- Culturally responsive learning communities.
- Advising and counseling services.
- Mental health counseling and awareness services.
- Career development, career readiness, and employment services.
- Supplemental instruction and tutoring, such as English language development and support.
- Asian American, Pacific Islander studies courses and curriculum development.
- Leadership development, internships, and mentorships.
Location
Humanities-123
Contact Information
Joey Quenga, Coordinator
T: (714) 484-7145
E: arc@cypresscollege.edu