Los Angeles, CA (May 17, 2024) – The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) celebrates the achievements and invaluable contributions from the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community in this month of May.
For many years LACCD has prioritized making college more affordable, increasing access to programs that allow for transfer to a 4-year university and championing inclusivity on our nine college campuses. LACCD is home to students of many different backgrounds and we are happy to celebrate APIDA Heritage month with our students and faculty. Approximately 40% of APIDA students at LACCD pursued a transfer to a 4-year university. Almost half of the student population are first generation students and among APIDA students 25% are also first-generation students.
“I am excited to welcome in APIDA Heritage Month to celebrate our APIDA community but also spotlight the work that still needs to be done,” said Dr. Kelsey Iino, First Vice President, LACCD Board of Trustees. “It is often overlooked that the APIDA community is made up of 40+ ethnicities, making it one of the most diverse groups in America. LACCD understands well that the APIDA community cannot be treated as a monolith and there are unique challenges and barriers each group faces in achieving higher education.” Vice President Iino is a community college graduate and has been a longtime advocate for students, serving as a significant voice for the LACCD’s APIDA community.
Additionally, the myth that APIDA students are mostly affluent is a misnomer and could affect students that need access to financial aid to make college even possible. A recent report has noted that 1 in 3 Southeast Asians experience high levels poverty. Available programs like the Los Angeles College Promise Program helps students by providing two full years of free tuition, free laptop computers, priority registration and access to educational and financial aid counseling for first-time, full-time students. In 2023, over 39% of APIDA students received the CA College Promise Grant and Pell Grant.
A quality degree is a strong preference among APIDA parents. LACCD is a competitive choice in pursuing a bachelor’s degree for several transfer programs. Career and Academic Pathways like STEM, Health Science, Business, Entrepreneurship & Law, and Information technology also provide students options in choosing and advancing towards a career path.
“APIDA Heritage Month for LACCD means recognizing and affirming the rich diversity across all of our campuses, and ensuring a place for students to feel safe, seen, welcomed, and valued,” said LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D.
About the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is the nation’s largest community college district, educating about 210,000 students annually at its nine colleges that serve the residents of more than 36 cities and communities from 900 square miles of Los Angeles County. Since 1969, the district has been providing an important learning pathway for students seeking transfer to four-year colleges or universities while also offering two-year degrees and certificated training programs to Southern California’s diverse workforce in many specialized trades and professions. Learn more about our L.A. College Promise program of free tuition at OurPromiseYourPath.
Members of the Board | Nichelle Henderson, President |, Kelsey K. Iino, Ed.D, Vice President | Second Vice President, Sara Hernandez | Andra Hoffman | Steven F. Veres | Gabriel Buelna, Ph.D. | David Vela | Alexy Cordova, Student Trustee
The LACCD colleges include Los Angeles City College; East Los Angeles College; Los Angeles Harbor College; Los Angeles Mission College; Los Angeles Pierce College; Los Angeles Southwest College; Los Angeles Trade-Technical College; Los Angeles Valley College and West Los Angeles College.
