Asian-American female student between here two parents

Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI)

APU celebrates your heritage and supports your college journey. You’ll find belonging, resources, and a community that honors your story.

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Community and Resources That Make You Feel at Home

You’ll find a community that values the diverse experiences of Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander students at APU. As a federally designated Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), we’re committed to fostering student and employee success through culturally responsive resources and a vibrant support network.

Through organizations such as the Asian Pacific American Student Organization (APASO), Kapamilya (Filipino Student Organization), and the Pacific Islanders Organization (PIO), as well as MOSAIC affinity groups for faculty, staff, and administrators, APU cultivates spaces for connection, dialogue, and cultural exchange. These groups, along with campus-wide initiatives, reflect APU’s dedication to diversity, reconciliation, and the call to love God and neighbor.

 

Cultivating Faith, Inspiring Learning

Kevin and Louise Huang feel privileged to journey alongside students as they grow in their faith and their knowledge of the sciences at APU. Their mentorship extends beyond the classroom, as they invite students over for home-cooked meals at Café Huang to connect about what God is doing in their lives.

APU is 1 of only 4 AANAPISI-recognized universities in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU)

The Department of Education recognizes APU as an AANAPISI—that is, an institution that serves an undergraduate population that is low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and of which Asian American, Native American, and/or Pacific Islander students constitute at least 10% of undergraduate full-time equivalent (FTE) students.

How APU’s AANAPISI Initiatives Benefit You

Experience a campus that celebrates your unique background. Our commitment to diversity, reflected in organizations such as APASO, Kapamilya, and PIO, means you’ll find a supportive community that understands and values your heritage. We’re dedicated to creating a place of belonging.

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Benefit from faculty and staff who are committed to fostering intercultural understanding. Through programs such as the MOSAIC affinity groups, including the Asian Mosaic Association (AMA), our educators and staff are equipped to support your academic and professional journey.

Asian Mosaic Association (AMA)
President: Alan Oda, PhD, and Regina Chow Trammel, PhD, LCSW
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Find your home away from home through our active ethnic organizations. Connect with peers who share your culture, participate in enriching events, and build lifelong friendships. Follow Kapamilya (@apukapamilya) and the Pacific Islanders Organization (@apu_pacificislanders) on Instagram to see the vibrant community.
Engage in a learning environment that values your perspective. APU provides opportunities for personal and academic growth, allowing you to thrive in a community that honors your cultural identity and promotes reconciliation.

Connect and develop professionally with other faculty and staff through the Asian Mosaic Association (AMA), within the larger MOSAIC affinity organizations.

Josh Holm walking down the runway

Josh Holm ’15: Creating a Positive Impact through Castles & Queens

Through his fashion company, Castles & Queens, Josh Holm—half Korean and half Caymanian—shares a powerful message to inspire others.

Celebrating the Difference Makers in Our AANAPISI Student Community

Explore inspiring stories of AANAPISI students leading, creating, and thriving at APU.

Cheyenne smiling

Cheyenne Woon ’23 Found Her Home Away from Home at APU

When she transferred to Azusa Pacific in fall 2021, her dream came true, but with that came a period of growth, marked by reidentifying what matters most to her and learning to embrace the parts of her culture that she’ll always love.

Abi smiling

A Heart to Serve: Abigail Tam ’26 Excels in Nursing and Honors Humanities

As a junior nursing and Honors humanities major at Azusa Pacific University, Tam has engaged in a diverse community that draws her closer to God and His purpose for her life. 

Abi smiling

Grace Arrington ’26 Finds Community and Faith through Uplifting Connections at APU

As the daughter of an Azusa Pacific alumnus, Arrington sought a diverse community where she could express her Asian culture and cultivate friendships with others who felt the same way. Scholarships from APU, along with the university’s friendly and inviting environment, led her to follow in her father’s footsteps.

 

APU’s Ethnic Organizations Connect and Uplift Students’ Stories

Learn about APU’s Pacific Islanders Organization (PIO), Third Culture Kids (TCK), and other organizations on campus.

Read about APU’s Groups

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Honoring the Work and Witness of Our AANAPISI Faculty and Staff

Learn how AANAPISI faculty and staff are shaping APU’s future through scholarship, mentorship, and leadership.

Alan smiling

Alan Oda, PhD, Creates an Inviting Space for Students to Grow

For Alan Oda, PhD, entering psychology has allowed him to pursue his passions, interests, and skill sets—and studying human development has given him opportunities to strengthen his faith journey while helping others better understand their spiritual growth.

 

Friary Smiling

Friary Nguyen’s Outpouring of Love through Her Faith and Vocation as a Nurse

As a certified healthcare simulations educator (CHSE), Friary Nguyen, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE, enjoys pursuing her calling to love others through nursing and teach students to approach health care with a heart for servant leadership.

 

Charles Smiling

Charles Chen’s Appreciation for Nature and Stewardship

Biology professor Charles Chen, PhD, considers a number of places around the world his home, offering him a firm foundation to explore his passions, discover his calling, and give others the tools to experience transformation as well.

 

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Regina Chow Trammel, Facilitates Deep Conversations with Social Work Graduate Students

Regina Trammel, PhD, LCSW, professor in the Master of Social Work program, inspires her students to contemplate how God is at work in their own lives through deep, meaningful conversations about diversity, community, faith, and human experience. 

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Mike Wong- Transforming Students into Great PT Clinicians

During 23 years of teaching in Azusa Pacific University's Department of Physical Therapy, Michael Wong, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, has poured into the lives of thousands of students, training them to become great clinicians. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Department of Education defines an AANAPISI as an institution that serves an undergraduate population that is low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and of which Asian American, Native American, and/or Pacific Islander students constitute at least 10% of undergraduate full-time equivalent (FTE) students.

Yes! Our AANAPISI designation reflects APU’s commitment to creating spaces where students can feel seen, supported, and celebrated. With student and faculty/staff organizations, cultural events, and affinity spaces, there are countless ways to build meaningful connections and find your people. Belonging is part of APU’s everyday rhythm.

While the focus is to serve Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander students, AANAPISI programs have benefited all students at each AANAPISI institution, regardless of background.

Contact Information

Armando Bustos

Email: [email protected]
Phone: Gather from partner

Location

Gather from partner
apu east campus