Our Impact – AANAPISI Impact Report
Beyond describing what our grant accomplished in the last 5 years, we wanted to demonstrate what changed as a result and the impact on students' experience. Our program and team strongly believe and are committed to measuring effectiveness, collecting data on A&PI student experiences, amplifying A&PI student voices, and celebrating the success of our AANAPISI students and Peer Mentors.
We want to highlight how collaborative efforts between programs & departments, navigation & wayfinding, investment in student leadership training & opportunities, and centering sense of belonging really make a difference in student persistence, retention, and completion.
Lastly, we also believe in demonstrating accountability, informing continuous improvement, and supporting the future of grant work and shaping what sustainability can look like despite all the challenges that both our program and our institution have faced.
Ultimately, we hope that this Impact Report demonstrates "A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats"- that when institutions invest in students facing the greatest barriers, the positive effects extend far beyond any single population, creating a stronger and more equitable environment for all.
The legacy of this work demonstrates a core principle of MSI grants such as AANAPISIs: when we intentionally support underserved communities, we create conditions that help all students thrive.
Summary
Research will inform service approaches to curriculum, and overall campus operations to more effectively serve A&PI students.
This grant goal was achieved through the following mean(s):
- A&PI Focus Groups
Ensure that North Seattle College is a welcoming campus for A&PI and low-income students.
This grant goal was achieved through the following mean(s):
- Creation of Student Lounge
- Community Building Events, Educational Workshops, Faculty Workshops, and Signature Events
- Culturally Responsive Practices and Trainings
Improve key academic indicators for A&PI students at North Seattle College.
This grant goal was achieved through the following mean(s):
- Peer Mentorship Program
- Program Navigation
Initiatives
Focus group reports were created to present the findings from a series of focus group discussions conducted with Asian and Pacific Islander students at North during academic years 2022-2023 (Y2), 2023-2024 (Y3), 2024-2025 (Y4), and 2025-2026 (Y5). These discussions were driven by the need to gain valuable insights, voice concerns, and identify strategies for enhancing the AANAPISI programs' effectiveness in supporting North Seattle Colleges' A&PI student community.
AANAPISI facilitated and collaborated on a variety of events, such as community-building events, educational workshops, faculty workshops, and signature events. Events are integral to the mission of the program, as it aids in creating a welcoming environment for students, while providing them with the resources to succeed. These events acted as spaces to connect, learn, and broaden knowledge on the diverse cultures, histories, and experiences of API communities.
| Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # of events | 18 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 85 |
| # of attendees | 396 | 780 | 1,228 | 1,569 | 3,973 |
To ensure that North Seattle College is a welcoming campus for A&PI students and the broader community, The AANAPISI Resource Center (TARC) was established in 2023 as a space for students to study, hangout, and have events. The space eventually transformed into the Asian & Pacific Islander Center (APIC) after its relocation to a larger space in 2024.
| Academic Year | Visits |
|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 331 |
| 2023-24 | 220 |
| 2024-25 | 1,032 |
| 2025-26 | 1,538 |
AANAPISI is committed to making North Seattle College a welcoming campus for all through Culturally Responsive Trainings. After the conducting a focus group in the 2023-2024 academic year, findings from it revealed that some students felt excluded from the classroom and from student support services, such as tutoring, due to language barriers and/or being English language learners. This signaled that services, such as tutoring, could benefit from culturally responsive training to better support students from various backgrounds. In collaboration with the Student Learning Center (SLC), AANAPISI sponsored a Culturally Humility training for all the tutors within the SLC in Spring 2025.
As part of an ongoing effort to expand culturally responsive practices across campus and building off the success from the culturally humility training at the SLC, a Culturally Responsive Training Committee was informally established during the 2025-26 academic year. Composed of staff and faculty from across the college, the committee aims to develop and provide culturally responsive and humility-centered training opportunities that support more equitable and inclusive practices across departments. The committee is expected to be formally established with the college in the 2026-27 academic year.
The Asian American, and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) program offers free peer mentorship services designed to connect first-year college students (or those with less than 45-credits) with peer mentors who understand the college journey and can provide an additional layer of support.
Peer mentors are fellow North Seattle College students trained to help you explore campus resources, build confidence, and find your footing in higher education. While they do not replace academic advisors, or the AANAPISI Navigator, their role is to provide holistic and supplemental support. Peer Mentors will check-in with Mentees periodically throughout the academic year, and the AANAPISI program will host many community events in which Peer Mentors and Mentees will get a chance to be in community together.
What Did Peer Mentors Provide?
- Social Connection: Another friendly face on campus and a supportive bridge to help you build community on campus
- Academic Tips: Tips on studying, time management, organization, navigating certain classes, transition to college
- Resource Connection: Connecting you to resources on campus that may be helpful to you
- Dedicated Support and Check-ins: Peer mentors offer holistic support to ensure a smooth transition and successful first year of college
A goal of the grant was to improve key academic indicators for AANAPISI students at North Seattle College. To support this goal, the program hired a Program Navigator, who is dedicated to serving students by providing resource navigation and holistic support to successfully navigate their college experience. Through general advising, the Program Navigator assisted students with questions related to enrollment, financial aid, counseling, disability services, and other campus resources. The Navigator also monitored student progress, including GPA, enrollment, persistence, and facilitated interventions, to help address barriers to success. In addition, the Navigator supported students in creating transfer, career, and postgraduate plans.
Read more our impact report viewable pdf.