LOS ANGELES – 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 nine college campuses. LACCD is home to students of many different backgrounds and APIDA Heritage month is celebrated with students and faculty.
Approximately 40 percent 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 percent 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 one in three 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 percent 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.
