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Summit advances Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in higher education

This week, UC Berkeley held the nation’s first-ever AA & NHPI Higher Education Leadership Development Summit, sponsored by the White House.

By Public Affairs

Chancellor Carol Christ and Dean Tsu-Jae King Liu stand amidst a large crowd of people. Everyone is holding their arms up in celebration.
A collaborative community of conference leaders and attendees attended the Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Higher Education Leadership Development Summit.

Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering
Dean Tsu-Jae King Liu stands at a podium before a large crowd.
Berkeley Engineering Dean Tsu-Jae King Liu, an esteemed Asian American leader at UC Berkeley, introduced Chancellor Carol Christ at the summit.

Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering
Chancellor Carol Christ speaks at a podium before a large crowd
Chancellor Christ opened the summit, saying, “We are honored to be hosting this essential gathering, …and while I will admit to a certain degree of bias, I believe there could be no better location for this gathering than here, on the Berkeley campus."

Brandon Sanchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
A speaker at a podium and a panel of five individuals sit on a stage before a large crowd
The main stage panel discussion featured senior leaders discussing critical investments in AANAPISIs and ANNHSIs, federal resources and institutional challenges. Moderated by Mike Hoa Nguyen of New York University, the panel included Amanda Miller, U.S. Department of Education; Robert A. Underwood, President’s Advisory Commission; Lui Hokoana, University of Hawaiʻi, Maui College; Rowena Tomaneng, San Jose City College; and Lisa Hirai Tsuchitani, Berkeley Department of Ethnic Studies.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
Two individuals converse at an event
Ajay Nair, president of Arcadia University, and Berkeley’s Raka Ray, professor and dean of social sciences, engage in a lively discussion.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley
Three individuals pose for a photo
Berkeley lecturer Lisa Hirai Tsuchitani, Berkeley Engineering Dean Tsu-Jae King Liu and Rowena Tomaneng, resident of San Jose City College, pose for a photo.

Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering
A person smiles and gives a peace sign
Frances L. Palu, a higher education professional from Sacramento State, makes a peace sign wearing a “Phenomenally Asian Pacific Islander Desi American” t-shirt, which symbolizes solidarity and empowerment within the APIDA community.

Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley

April 4, 2024

This week, UC Berkeley held the nation’s first-ever Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA & NHPI) Higher Education Leadership Development Summit. On Tuesday, April 2, students, faculty and staff from around the world gathered on campus to contribute to the critical work of advancing educational equity and opportunity.

Hosted by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, in partnership with Berkeley Engineering, Berkeley Research and the Division of Equity and Inclusion, the summit highlighted the pivotal role of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNHSIs) in promoting access to higher education and workforce development programs.

The summit provided a platform for dialogue, collaboration and action on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education. Attendees participated in a range of activities, including panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities, that aimed to foster emotional health, advance leadership and promote inclusivity within institutions and communities.

Chancellor Carol Christ welcomed participants and highlighted the campus’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and transformation, emphasizing its role as an AANAPISI.

“Today’s summit underscores our dedication to building, supporting and sustaining a community of higher education leaders that truly reflects the society we serve,” she said.

The summit was a testament to the attendees’ collective efforts to drive meaningful change in higher education. They departed inspired and equipped with actionable strategies to create more inclusive environments across campuses nationwide.