This month, as we celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month at CSN, I want us to focus on the rich heritage and history of this community that has shaped the history of the United States. CSN celebrates and honors AAPI Month in April (instead of May, as is traditional) before the end of the spring semester and the excitement of Commencement.

The month was designated to commemorate not only some of the first Asian American immigrants to the United States in the mid 1800s, but to celebrate the 1869 completion of the transcontinental railroad that was built in large part by 20,000 Chinese immigrants.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are among the fastest growing communities in Nevada and Nationally and according to the U.S. Census, the AAPI population has increased by more than 175% in the last decade.  At CSN, approximately 11% of students in the CSN family are a part of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community.

This year, the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) selected the theme of Advancing Leaders Through Innovation. This strikes me as particularly aligned with the CSN mission to enable our students and communities to achieve, succeed and prosper.

If opportunity is defined by what is possible there is no doubt that the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has a rich heritage of turning opportunity into triumph and possibilities into reality. Please join me in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage this month and into May. And remember to keep an eye on the events calendar for diversity events.

– Federico