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 celebrate 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 great nation, and encourages us to continue to work towards equity and inclusion for all.  

Every year, people from all over the world come to the land of opportunity to pursue their dream. Through hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance, many see their dream come true. While we celebrate the opportunities and the contributions of AAPI communities, people also need to acknowledge the challenges and struggles that they experience. AAPI communities have faced discrimination and racism historically (and recently during the COVID-19 pandemic). In addition, the "model minority" label portrays Asian Americans as a monolithic group that is highly successful and does not face the same systemic barriers as other minority groups. It can mask the experiences of Asian Americans who face significant challenges. We must continue to speak out against racism and discrimination in all forms and work towards building a more equitable and just society for all. 

At NPC, we are committed to creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive for people with different cultural backgrounds. A great example is that during the pandemic, several colleagues very kindly reached out to me to make sure I did not fall victim to Asian hate. It was extremely heartwarming. We recognize that diversity enriches our campus and provides opportunities for learning and growth. Our DEI Working Group, 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 diversity 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 more about each other’s culture and history and to work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Wei Ma, PhD
Dean of Instructional Innovation
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