Reaffirming our commitment to AAPI students amid federal grant funding cuts

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education notified Minority-Serving Institutions, including Portland State University, that it was discontinuing funding for certain grants. At PSU, this directly impacts funding tied to our designation as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). While this news is disappointing, our commitment to empowering students and advancing equity across our campus remains unwavering.

Portland State was honored to receive the designation in 2023, along with a five-year, $2 million federal grant to expand support for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students. With that funding, we welcomed a Pacific Islander Studies visiting scholar, launched the INSPIRE program to provide culturally affirming services, and expanded student engagement and community connections. When AAPI and other underrepresented students feel empowered, we all benefit from their voices, experiences, and the rich diversity they bring to Portland State.

The loss of our remaining grant funding and uncertainty about future federal support makes our work harder, but it does not lessen our commitment. This simply challenges us to pursue new avenues of support. We are acting quickly to find alternative funding that will preserve our services for AAPI students this coming academic year.

This moment is difficult — it calls us to act with resolve. We will continue the work of promoting equity, strengthening student success and upholding our responsibility as Oregon’s most diverse urban-serving university.