the best colleges and universities for aapi students: umass boston

This month, to kick off the school year, I'm partnering with Asian Pacific Americans for Progress to bring you a very special list of The Best Colleges and Universities for AAPI Students. Over the next two weeks, we'll be profiling the top ten best schools for AAPI student activism (in no particular order). Today's campus is...

University of Massachusetts, Boston
Public University
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Founded: 1964
Enrollment: 10,500
API population: 12.5%
Interesting fact: After graduating from UMass Boston, alumni have gone on to become leaders of major community organizations in Boston such as Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, the Asian Community Development Corporation, the Chinese Progressive Association, the Chinatown Coalition, Viet-AID, MAP for Health, the South Cove Community Health Center, and many others.

"UMass Boston is not a high-status or wealthy residential campus, and therefore may not be a good choice for some AAPI students/families. For students from working class immigrant/refugee families and/or for students looking for opportunities to connect with a strong, community-centered Asian American Studies curriculum, however, UMass Boston may be one of the best choices in the country." - Nominator

As a largely commuter institution, the UMass Boston's ability to engage and empower its students is quite impressive with a strong focus on the academic experience of APA students and close connection with the APA communities off campus. Recognizing the strengths of the university for empowering AAPI students and communities, the U.S. Department of Education designated it as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution.

The Asian American Studies Program has thirty-one affiliated faculty members, making it the largest in New England. By grounding its curriculum, teaching, and applied research in the realities of local/global communities and by respecting the knowledge and bilingual/bicultural skills that many UMass Boston students bring to the classroom, the program creates powerful learning environments for all students to gain critical awareness and understanding about the historical experiences, voices, contemporary issues, and contributions of diverse Asian populations in the U.S.

Through a campaign launched in 2007 advocating for Asian American educational needs, student leaders recently won several victories. After several meetings between students and administrators, the university decided to ethnically disaggregate its data collection on AAPI students, began offering Vietnamese language courses in 2008-09, initiated new study-travel opportunities in China and Southeast Asia in 2009, and hired the university's first Filipino American faculty member with an appointment in education and affiliation in Asian American Studies.

Also this past year, a group of Asian American student veterans from the Iraq/Afghanistan era developed a profound community collaboration with the Boston Chinatown American Legion Post, which includes Asian American veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam eras, and organized an intergenerational dialogue -- veteran to veteran -- which took place on campus. And for the past month, students of color including Asian Americans have been coordinating voter registration drives and GOTV efforts for Felix Arroyo, Jr. (a recent graduate) for City Council and for mayoral candidate Sam Yoon.

These projects definitely highlight the diversity and dynamic organizing efforts found at UMass Boston, earning them a spot in our top ten! To see the rest of the Best Colleges and Universities for AAPI Students, go here.