Main Content
Volume 1, issue 1
Director's Message
Dear AAPI THRIVE Community,
Talofa ma afio mai (Samoan for hello and welcome) to the first edition of the AAPI THRIVE newsletter! I am excited to share this new chapter with you as we highlight the achievements, events, and initiatives shaping our vibrant and growing AAPI THRIVE community at UW Tacoma. This fall, we have celebrated significant milestones together, from welcoming a new cohort of scholars and hosting impactful campus-wide events, to establishing and being welcomed into our new home within the Center for Equity and Inclusion.
This newsletter serves as more than just a recap of our activities; it reflects our collective journey and the shared commitment of our campus, faculty, and students to create an environment where AAPI identities, stories, and successes can truly thrive. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our campus and community partners for their ongoing support in making our initiatives meaningful, engaging, and memorable.
For those unfamiliar, AAPI THRIVE is a federally funded program supported by the Department of Education’s Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) grant. This initiative highlights our dedication to fostering the academic success, retention, and overall well-being of AAPI students.
This quarter, we had the privilege of participating in a national AANAPISI directors' meeting in Washington D.C. It was an inspiring opportunity to connect with colleagues across the country and learn about the incredible work being done to support Asian American and Pacific Islander students on a national scale. I am also proud to share that our campus plays a leadership role in the AANAPISI Pacific Northwest Regional Network, collaborating with other AANAPISI institutions to share promising practices and amplifying our collective impact.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue building on this momentum. Be sure to join us for upcoming events, including our Lunar New Year celebration, our student conference: Roots and Routes, and new workshops designed to foster student success and engagement. Additionally, our Wayfinders mentorship program is expanding to include even more opportunities for peer-to-peer connection and support.
Thank you for being an important part of AAPI THRIVE. Together, we are creating a community where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed and I look forward to continuing our journey together.
Ia manuia and wishing you all well!
Nestor Tupufia Enguerra Jr.
AAPI THRIVE Project’s Impact: Transforming the Collegiate Experience
By Rachel Endo
Rachel Endo is Principal Investigator/Faculty Lead of AAPI THRIVE Project. She is also a Professor and Dean of the School of Education.
From my perspective, the most significant impact of the AAPI THRIVE Project is our campus community directly hearing and learning from our AAPI THRIVE Scholars (also known as THRIVE Scholars, who are first-time college students identifying as AAPI and/or Pell-eligible). I directly learned from many THRIVE Scholars that being part of this community is the first time they have received a culturally affirming experience in their formal-educational journeys. For sure, there is incredible value in having a culturally relevant collegiate experience because most of us who were educated in the US context as K-12 students did not have AAPI teachers and/or lacked opportunities to learn about AAPI and other BIPOC experiences, histories, and identities. THRIVE Scholars also are providing significant insights about the ways that UW Tacoma could better support them in not just receiving an excellent education but the ways that our entire campus could close equity gaps during the entire arch of a student’s experience, from pre-admissions to program completion and beyond.
Another major accomplishment is several UW Tacoma faculty, staff, and students across academic programs, offices, and student affairs are generously supporting AAPI THRIVE Project, which demonstrates a significant campus-wide investment in advancing equity and inclusion. Here, I have seen the highest level of campus-wide engagement during my 7 years at UW Tacoma. Most significantly, UW Tacoma’s Chancellor, Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange, has been a key reason why AAPI THRIVE Project has been enormously successful. From the start, she has warmly welcomed THRIVE Scholars and their families/loved ones to UW Tacoma and has directly supported the AAPI THRIVE Project team with opportunities to educate the campus community about why we must view all aspects of learning and teaching from an explicit equity and inclusion lens.
Our THRIVE Scholars are highly valuable members of the UW Tacoma community and personally inspire me. I look forward to seeing where they will land in the coming years, knowing they will go out into the world to make it a better place.
AAPI THRIVE in a New Location!
Exciting news! Over the summer, the AAPI THRIVE office officially moved to SNO 150C in the Center of Equity and Inclusion (CEI). CEI is a welcoming space open to everyone on campus, where students can unwind after class, enjoy lunch, reserve study space, and explore various campus resources.
CEI is also a fantastic ally to our community, hosting cultural events throughout the year to celebrate diversity and inclusion. We encourage you to visit, take advantage of the resources, and connect with others!
Welcome 2024-25 Cohort
The THRIVE Project welcomed a new first-year cohort of THRIVE Scholars in Fall 2024. On September 20, we hosted the orientation to kick off the new academic year. It was a full day of fun, learning, and connection. We provided space for the new scholars to meet their fellow cohorts who will be sharing their journey with them. The new cohort also had the chance to connect with key staff and faculty and learn about the available resources on campus that will support their success. In addition, we created special workshops to help them navigate their first year and beyond.
Get to Know Staff Member Janne Heckeroth
Please share a brief introduction about you and your background.
Janne Marri Juan Heckeroth, first name pronounced as “Jay-nie,” is an Administrative Assistant at the University of Washington Tacoma School of Education/AAPI THRIVE. Born in the Philippines and raised in Botswana, Africa before moving to beautiful Washington state in 2008. With a background in production coordination at Steve Madden, Janne brings a wealth of transferable skills to her administrative role. Janne is driven by a passion for creating an organized and supportive environment, reflecting her commitment to diversity and equity. Eager to embrace new challenges and opportunities for growth, she is excited to contribute her talents to the university community. Janne’s pronouns are She/Her/Hers.
What inspired you to take on a role in the AAPI THRIVE program?
As a Filipino and an Asian minority, I am motivated to take on this role to support students who, like myself, may feel they lack adequate support. Navigating college can be challenging, especially for those of us who are minorities in a foreign country. I aspire to make a positive impact and assist those facing similar struggles.
What is an upcoming project of AAPI THRIVE that you are excited about?
I am excited about an upcoming project that AAPI THRIVE is working on, which aims to create a supportive space for AAPI students. While I cannot share too many details just yet, I believe it will offer a valuable opportunity for students to connect and feel supported in their experiences.
Hear from Our AAPI THRIVE Alumni
Sudip Chaudhary
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Sudip Chaudhary. I am majoring in Computer Science but also considering Computer Engineering. I immigrated to the U.S. from Nepal and have been trying to re-learn my native tongue in the hope of understanding my own identity.
How did being an AAPI THRIVE scholar impact your freshman year and contribute to your future success?
Being an AAPI Thrive scholar has provided me with knowledge and access to resources throughout the campus. It allowed me to utilize advising opportunities through mentors like June Parra and Ricky Chon. I also learned how to publish my poem in Tahoma West. AAPI Thrive gave me a sense of belonging and was a guide on how to adjust to a university and what was expected of me. It also exposed me to other cultures and the history of Asian experience in the U.S.
What advice would you offer current AAPI THRIVE scholars as they navigate their college journey?
Some advice I can offer is to embrace community by building connections with other students and professors. Also, do not be afraid to celebrate your cultural background. Use your voice to share your experiences and find ways to integrate that identity into your work and goals. A key reminder is that college is a time for learning, both in and out of the classroom. Lastly, do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and adapt as you learn more about your interests and goals.
Tuyen Nguyen
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Tuyen Nguyen, and I am currently a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Sciences. My goal is to attend medical school after I finish my bachelor's degree.
How did being an AAPI THRIVE scholar impact your freshman year and contribute to your future success?
My freshman year was full of new experiences and challenges, but the AAPI THRIVE Scholars program made a significant difference. It was not just about getting through my first year of college, it was about building relationships and creating a network that is still helping me today. The program gave me many opportunities to connect with people who share my cultural background and goals, and that has been valuable for me. Looking back, I do not think I would have reached some of the milestones I have hit without this community supporting me along the way.
What advice would you offer current AAPI THRIVE scholars as they navigate their college journey?
To current AAPI Thrive Scholars, I encourage you to make the most of the connections around you. You are part of a community of individuals who want to see you succeed, so do not hesitate to reach out!
THRIVE Celebrates AANAPISI Week
AANAPISI Week (September 23 – September 29, 2024) celebrates the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) designation, which was established by Congress on September 27, 2007, to improve the availability and quality of postsecondary education programs to support low-income, first-generation Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students.
Partnership on Indigenous People’s Day
On October 14, the UW Tacoma Office of Indigenous Engagement, in partnership with the AAPI THRIVE Project, hosted its first Indigenous People’s Day to celebrate Native and Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contributions. The event honored the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities through storytelling, music, dance, and advocacy, fostering unity and cultural exchange.
Documentary Screening of Taking Root
On November 2, AAPI THRIVE with the Office of Equity and Inclusion and UW Seattle’s Center for Southeast Asia, and its Diaspora hosted a memorable celebration of Southeast Asian culture, resilience, and community. Organized in partnership with the Khmer Anti-deportation Advocacy Group, Southeast Asian Freedom Network, UW Khmer Student Association, Khmer Language Arts and Culture Academy, VIETLEAD in Solidarity, and WA Iu Mien Dancers, the event welcomed a diverse group of participants and fostered meaningful connections.
The event began with a warm celebration of Southeast Asian cultures, featuring authentic cuisine catered by Theary Cambodian Foods (located at 2012 S 320th St Suite C, Federal Way, WA 98003) and lively music from DJ Press Play that set an inviting tone for the afternoon. Guests experienced the richness of heritage through traditional dance performances and a grounding ceremony, both powerful expressions of artistry and cultural pride.
The highlight of the day was the screening of Taking Root, a compelling documentary that shares the stories of Southeast Asians who resettled in Philadelphia following the wars in Southeast Asia. This was followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by UW Seattle Associate Professor Linh Thủy Nguyễn. Panelists Nancy Nguyen, Oloth Insyxiengmay, and Johnny Phet engaged the audience in a meaningful dialogue on themes of resilience, displacement, and cultural identity. Emceed by Bunthay Cheam, a community organizer and Senior Program Manager at Mt. Baker Housing Association, the event created a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, bringing the community together for an afternoon of connection, reflection, and celebration.
Autumn 2024 Quarter Mental Health Workshop
On November 18, we kicked off our quarterly mental health event with a workshop focusing on Religion, Faith, Spirituality, and Psychotherapy in the AAPI Community. The conversation was moderated by Assistant Professor of Psychology, Dr. Jenny Xiao, AAPI THRIVE’s Mental Health Coordinator/Faculty Lead, with Dr. Paolo Laraño on the strategies to support the well-being of the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders community.
Dr. Paolo Laraño is a dedicated mental health advocate and licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in multicultural counseling and trauma-informed care. Dr. Laraño is a professional who identifies as Filipino and is passionate about serving underrepresented communities. He specializes in addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. Dr. Laraño combines clinical practice with community outreach, fostering safe spaces for dialogue and healing
Upcoming Events:
AAPI THRIVE
- 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration in collaboration with Center of Equity and Inclusion: January 29, 2025, from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. in Jane Russel Commons (WPH)
Campus and Community Partners
- INDIA – APCC 27th New Year Celebration: February 15, 2025, from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.
