Our History
A Decade of Advocacy
The journey to becoming an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) at Portland State University was paved by more than a decade of tireless advocacy. For years, PSU students, faculty, staff, and community partners worked together to increase the visibility of our diverse Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) communities. Their goal was clear: to move beyond simply "surviving" in higher education toward a campus environment where our students truly thrive.
A Historic Milestone
In 2022, Portland State reached a transformative turning point, officially becoming a majority BIPOC institution. In October 2023, this commitment to equity was further solidified when PSU was awarded a five-year, $2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
With this award, PSU became the first public university in Oregon to receive federal funding under the AANAPISI designation. This landmark grant officially recognizes PSU as a federal Minority Serving Institution (MSI), marking a new chapter in our mission to support students from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college families.
Building the Blueprint
The AANAPISI grant afforded PSU the ability to make institutional change to support the student success of APID students. The funding allowed us to build on the success of programs like EMPOWER while launching new initiatives, like INSPIRE, designed to foster a deep sense of belonging. Our history is rooted in the understanding that "Asian American and Pacific Islander" is not a monolith—each community carries unique practice, language, and history.
Our Key Milestones
Portland State’s transition to an AANAPISI reflects a series of intentional institutional shifts and hard-won victories:
2016: Visioning for Community Spaces
2017: The Strategic Roadmap
- The Task Force on Asian-American, Asian, and Pacific Islander Student Success released its final report, outlining eight critical recommendations.
- Key goals included creating a PIAA Studies program, increasing AAPI faculty representation, and formally pursuing the federal AANAPISI designation.
2022: A Majority-BIPOC Institution
- Portland State reached a demographic milestone where the total BIPOC student population exceeded the white student population, reinforcing the urgency for MSI (Minority-Serving Institution) status.
2023: Historic Federal Recognition
- PSU was officially designated as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
- The university secured a five-year, $2 million federal grant—the first of its kind for a public university in Oregon—to expand academic programs and retention services.
2024: Expanding Academic and Career Pathways
- Establishing the first Pacific Islander-specific student retention program called INSPIRE to provide culturally affirming services and expanded community connections, as well as hiring a Program Coordinator.
- Developing culturally and linguistically responsive outreach for local AAPI high schools.
- Creating "Sharing Circles" and rites of passage events to celebrate student identity.
- Established the PROA pathways program, a cooperative arrangement with Northern Marianas College to support Pacific Islander students transferring to PSU in STEM and research fields.
2025: A Renewed Commitment
- In the face of shifting federal grant landscapes, PSU lost the continual funding for these initiatives, but the University reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the AANAPISI mission, seeking alternative avenues to sustain the vital PIAA Studies and retention initiatives built through the initial grant.
A Legacy for the Future
Today, the PSU-AANAPISI initiative stands as a testament to what is possible when community advocacy meets institutional support. We are dedicated to ensuring that the diverse lived experiences of our AAPI students are reflected in our curriculum, our support services, and our campus culture.