Sonoma State University’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program (ASAP) has received $1.125 million in funding from 2025 to 2030 from the California State University Chancellor’s Office. This multi-year grant is aimed at supporting the academic success of low-income, first-generation, and underserved AANHPI students, as well as other underrepresented students.
The program, led by Dr. Katherine H. Lee, Dr. Lauren Morimoto, and Dr. Charlene Tung, offers a variety of resources designed to strengthen student success. These include Asian American Studies courses, peer and faculty mentoring programs, advising and career support, conferences, field trips, study hall sessions, and the ASAP Lecture Series, which brings community activists, artists, and leaders to campus. Through these initiatives, ASAP seeks to create a holistic support system that combines academic, social, and professional development for AANHPI students.
Lauren Morimoto, one of the program’s co-leaders, emphasized the value of this funding in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students.
“This funding allows us to expand the AANHPI Student Achievement Program (ASAP) into a space where AANHPI students feel seen, supported, and connected,” Dr. Morimoto said. “Through peer and faculty mentoring, community-building events, and grounding in Asian American Studies, AANHPI students will gain tools to navigate college life and see the relevance of their experiences in the classroom and beyond. By strengthening AANHPI students’ belongingness and visibility, ASAP seeks to empower them to thrive academically and personally.”
Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Stacy Bosick also celebrated the funding, emphasizing its role in expanding outreach and academic opportunities.
“We are thrilled to receive this funding from the Chancellor’s Office to support AANHPI students,” Dr. Bosick said. “The funding allows us to dedicate resources to understanding the diversity of life experiences among our AANHPI students so that we can be sure we are meeting their needs at the university. Our faculty experts have developed a lecture series, mentoring program, community-building events, and more. Now they are looking at how best to outreach to regional high schools and community colleges. AANHPI students deserve to know that although our AANHPI students are small in numberᅳSonoma State is the best place for them.”
Vice President Jones also highlighted the broader significance of ASAP within SSU’s Student Affairs division.
“The AANHPI Student Achievement Program strengthens our ongoing efforts within Student Affairs to foster inclusion, belonging, and holistic student success,” Jones said. “It allows us to expand culturally responsive programming, mentorship opportunities, and community partnerships that affirm the experiences of AANHPI students while advancing equity for all underrepresented groups.”
ASAP is part of a larger CSU-wide initiative, the California State University AANHPI Student Achievement Program (CSU ASAP), which was authorized by the California Education Code Section 89297.1 in 2022. SSU’s participation in this initiative ensures that students on campus have access to specialized programming and support services tailored to the AANHPI student population.
Students have noted that programs like ASAP can make a tangible difference in their college experience. By providing mentorship, structured academic guidance, and spaces for cultural connection, ASAP helps students navigate challenges that first-generation and underserved students may face, including understanding the often unspoken “hidden curriculum” of higher education.
In addition to academic support, ASAP promotes leadership development and community engagement. Students have opportunities to participate in conferences, field trips, and co-curricular activities that incorporate real-world experiences into their classroom learning. The ASAP Lecture Series, featuring local and national AANHPI leaders, allows students to see how their cultural identity intersects with activism, artistry, and leadership.
With the new funding, SSU ASAP plans to expand its current offerings and introduce additional services to enhance student support further. The program aims to continue fostering a campus environment where AANHPI students feel empowered, visible, and equipped to succeed both academically and personally.
“Ultimately, programs like ASAP are about more than grades or graduation rates,” Dr. Morimoto added. “They’re about creating a community where students feel valued, connected, and capable of achieving their goals.”
To find more information, visit the AANHPI Student Achievement Program website or contact Katherine H. Lee, ASAP Faculty Coordinator at [email protected].
