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.
We are planning to host the 2025 AANHPI Heritage Month Kick-Off Event on Wednesday, April 30, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at the Rockville Campus. More details will be shared soon, including information on volunteering and signing up for a table presentation.
We welcome Montgomery College employees and students who would like to showcase their cultures at the event, whether through table presentations or performances. Additionally, we invite College community members to host tables to share information about their work in Montgomery County.
Tuesday: April 1, 1:00-2:30 p.m., Technical Center (TC) 136 or via Zoom
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
Last updated: 3/10/2025