GRC and Pono Program celebrate AANAPISI week and share new resources for student success
AANAPISI Week, September 23-29, recognizes the vital contributions of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) to educational equity and student success.
As part of this celebration, GRC is highlighting new initiatives and resources that uplift the AANHPI student community, building on its permanent designation as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI).
At the heart of this effort is GRC's Pono Program, a comprehensive support system funded by the Department of Education’s Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) grant. The program focuses on student retention, fostering identity development, and empowering AANHPI students throughout their time at community college.
AANAPISI Milestones: Strengthening Pathways to Success
To celebrate AANAPISI Week, GRC and the Pono Program are highlighting the following
key accomplishments and initiatives that aim to support retention, course completion,
and graduation rates among the AANHPI students enrolled at Green River.
First, Pono is collaborating with Blue Origin to offer students quarterly career readiness opportunities. These events include resume workshops, networking practice, and flash interviews, kicking off on October 30 and continuing in January and April.
GRC students will be referred to UTOPIA WA to experience their weekly cultural events. These gatherings provide free cultural foods, gender-affirming healthcare, and ongoing support for students even after they leave GRC. A volunteer program also allows students to earn letters of recommendation through service hours.
Recognizing the unique mental health needs of AAPI communities, GRC has introduced culturally inclusive wellness services. Filipina healer Candace Casady will lead monthly holistic healing sessions in the college’s meditation room starting in October, offering students a more approachable form of mental health support.
GRC is also committed to enhancing faculty cultural competency through workshops aimed at fostering an inclusive environment. Faculty leaders like Whitney Boswell and the E-Learning team have taken the lead in these efforts, particularly during the Summer Institute and Opening Week events.
Other initiatives include embedding tutoring in gateway Math and English courses and developing a cultural competency textbook from an AAPI perspective. GRC is also collaborating with the University of Washington Tacoma’s THRIVE Program to ease transitions for students between institutions and offer scholarship opportunities.
As AANAPISI Week continues, GRC invites the community to celebrate these achievements and support the ongoing work that empowers AANHPI students to thrive academically and personally.
With the continued support of the ODEI family and community partners, GRC is poised to make lasting impacts on the lives of AANHPI students, celebrating their journeys toward academic success and personal growth.