Sacramento State becomes state’s first AANHPI serving institution 

Sacramento State will pilot a program this fall to expand academic support and resources for first-generation, low-income Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.

The university will become California’s first Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Serving Institution, according to a Wednesday news release from the university. Sacramento State has an AANHPI community of more than 7,000 students, faculty and staff.

The program will receive funding from the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs and is an extension of a partnership the university established with the commission in 2020.

“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to foster an ecosystem of academic excellence in advancing equity, retention and completion outcomes for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander; Southeast Asian; Southwest Asian, North African students,” said Aniesha Mitchell, Sacramento State vice president for student affairs.

Initiatives within the program include creating an AANHPI council to advise the university president on the diverse needs of this population, increase mental health services and create a professional network for students to network with alumni. The pilot program will include strategic planning to attract and retain AANHPI students, add peer tutors and develop metrics on graduation and retention rates.

“Our pilot initiative supports historically underserved students by providing resources to promote academic success, mental health access and career readiness,” said Khydeeja Alam, executive director of the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. “We are committed to providing tools for AANHPI students to graduate on time and shape California’s future as leaders in their communities.”

The program hopes to further academic equity by developing data on enrollment trends and student morale.