Thoughts on AAPI Heritage Month

May 2023

I was struggling with finding a topic for our May newsletter, until our librarians reminded me that this month is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to recognize AAPI communities’ historical and cultural influence. According to The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), the theme for this year's AAPI Heritage Month is "Advancing Leaders Through Opportunities." The FAPAC defines opportunity as “a set of circumstances that make it possible to do something”, and it can be built, accessed, achieved, or given. The theme highlights the foundation of our nation, and encourages us to continue striving for fairness and opportunity for all.  

Every year, people from all over the world come to the U.S. to pursue their dream. Through hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance, many see their dream realized. While we celebrate the opportunities and the contributions of AAPI communities, we also need to acknowledge the challenges and struggles that they face. AAPI communities have faced discrimination and racism historically (and recently during the COVID-19 pandemic). In addition, the "model minority" label oversimplifies and masks the very real struggle some members of AAPI communities face. These realities remind us of the importance of continuing to speak out against bias and discrimination in all forms, and of building communities where everyone has access to opportunity and respect. 

At NPC, we are committed to creating an environment that is welcoming and supportive for people from all backgrounds. During the pandemic, several colleagues kindly reached out to me to make sure I was safe from anti-Asian hate. It was deeply heartwarming. We know that every culture and experience enriches our campus and provides opportunities for learning and growth. Our Belonging Committee, Student Success Alliance, and many other campus groups are engaged in providing resources and support to our students, faculty, and staff to ensure that they feel valued and included in our community. Opportunities for cultural events and awareness are plenty. The best thing that happened to me during the summer semester was being a guest speaker in Professor Ryan Jones’ World Literature class and engaging in conversations with his students about ancient Chinese poetry and classics. I also enjoyed a wide spectrum of authentic ethnic foods and lively cultural exchange with my coworkers of Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Mainland Chinese, Korean, Russian, Native American, Hispanic, Latino, African American, and European origins, and am constantly amazed by the richness of culture a rural community has to offer.

As an Asian American, I am truly grateful for the opportunities, support, friendship and kindness I have received since I started at NPC in 2010. I want to thank our diverse group of students and colleagues for their many contributions to our community. Their diverse talents, skills, and perspectives not only have shaped me into the person that I am today, but also enriched our institution and helped us to achieve our mission as a team. I encourage all members of our community to learn from one another’s culture and history, and to continue working toward an environment where every person feels they belong and has the opportunity to succeed.

Wei Ma, PhD
Dean of Instructional Innovation
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