Cultivating Community: Understanding AANHPI Student Success Beyond the Model Minority Myth 

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Presenter Information(s)

Lucie Dao, Nhi Dang, Bertina Quach, My-Quynh Ta, Daranee Taychachaiwongse Teng

Abstract or Description

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) face barriers to postsecondary access and success that are often overlooked due to the pervasive “model minority” stereotype. This harmful generalization obscures the distinct struggles of many members within the broad AANHPI umbrella, which is comprised of over 48 ethnicities and 300 languages spoken (APIA Scholars, 2022). Additionally, the unique needs of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) students are often invisibilized altogether. The goal of this ongoing action research project is to better understand factors that contribute to the postsecondary success of AANHPI students, particularly those who identify as first-generation college students. The proposed poster presentation will highlight the quantitative research aspects of a broader in-progress sequential mixed methods research design.

An AANHPI student-led action research team at University of Colorado ofDenver (CU Denver) analyzed survey data collected from CU Denver AANHPI undergraduate students to examine relationships between supportive peer relationships, engagement with the AANHPI campus community, utilization of campus resources, and academic success. The project engages a path analysis model informed by existing postsecondary success literature to investigate the following action research questions: (1) Do supportive peer relationships predict academic success? (2) Does use of campus resources mediate the relationship between supportive peer relationships and academic success? and (3) Does engagement with an AANHPI campus community mediate the relationship between supportive peer relationships and academic success?

Findings from this project will be used to develop culturally affirming resources and programs to foster an inclusive and supportive community for AANHPI students along their pathways to success.

APIA Scholars. (2022). The case for AANAPISIs. https://apiascholars.org/wp-content/uploads/ 2023/09/Case-for-AANAPISIs-2023.pdf  

Mentor

Dr. Tom Su