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.
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.