APAHE, or Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education, is an academic conference held annually, often in California. The main focus of this conference is to spotlight Asian American and Pacific Islander voices in an academic setting. This conference offers workshops and presentations to help students, staff, and faculty improve the academic environment for their Asian American and Pacific Islander attendees.
Recently, the Peer Navigators of Skyline College’s ARCommunity were granted the opportunity to travel to Anaheim, California, for the APAHE Conference. There, they hosted a workshop on behalf of their community in light of recent budget cuts to grants and programs serving the AANHPI academic community. The Peer Navigators then went on to different workshops and networking with other AANHPI organizations from all over the nation. The other workshops held at the conference highlighted the importance of AANHPI voices and communities in academic environments and encouraged student voices.
The workshop our Peer Navigators hosted was “Ang Aming Pamana: Continuing Our ARCommunity Legacy at Skyline College”. This workshop consisted of various activities and a presentation covering the recent educational and financial impacts that have significantly affected their mentorship program. Due to these recent impacts, the Skyline College ARCommunity under the AANAPISI grant and a part of the ARC Initiative had to be transformed into the Skyline College AANHPI Peer Navigator Program. This program is designed to aid students in their academic journey at Skyline, whether it’s getting help with classes or figuring out the transfer process. Near the end of the workshop, the peer navigators had their attendees help them grow their “tree” to ensure that their legacy matters. The contributions from others prove that these spaces are important.
Programs like this play an important role in the AANHPI community and in schools with large AANHPI student populations, such as Skyline College. Having student-led programs and letting them use their voices creates a more welcoming environment for those seeking community. The AANHPI Peer Navigator program is a perfect example of that, especially in these times. As education becomes less accessible, our students need to be heard and supported. Conferences similar to APAHE are in danger due to the current political climate. The Peer Navigators taking this opportunity to present at a national conference may not be the same in the foreseeable future. AANHPI learning communities should be encouraged to thrive in such trying environments.
Written by Trinity Velasco-Frias
