The next generation of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) leaders and other first-generation college student leaders took center stage at Cal State LA on Aug. 7 as students from Cal State LA and Pasadena City College (PCC) graduated from the Southern California APIs Mobilize Leadership Program.
Hosted by the ROOTS Scholars Program (ROOted in Togetherness and Strength) at Cal State LA and the Division of Institutional Equity, Diversity, and Justice at PCC, the graduation ceremony celebrated students who completed a five-week summer leadership program designed to strengthen leadership skills, deepen civic engagement, and prepare participants for community leadership.
This year’s APIs Mobilize Leadership Program is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Cal State LA and PCC that brings together AANHPI students to build community, explore identity, and develop leadership shaped by their lived experiences.
Through interactive workshops, mentorship, and conversations with public officials and community leaders, students gain the knowledge, confidence, and professional experiences needed to become engaged leaders on their campuses and in their communities.
“Co-hosting the APIs Mobilize Leadership Program underscores Cal State LA’s commitment to fostering belonging and preparing students to become leaders in their communities,” said Andre Ellis, associate vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion at Cal State LA. “Through the ROOTS Scholars Program, we are proud to partner with APIs Mobilize and PCC to create opportunities for students to connect across campuses and develop the confidence and skills to become effective leaders.”
“This partnership reflects what is possible when institutions come together with a shared commitment to student success and to uplifting our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students,” said Que Dang, executive director of student equity and success at PCC. “Together, we are investing in multigenerational leadership by empowering students to lead with confidence, honor their identities, and create lasting impact across our communities.”
U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, a longtime champion of APIs Mobilize, delivered the ceremony’s keynote address, congratulating the 26 graduates and encouraging them to pursue careers in public service and civic leadership. Reflecting on her own journey into public office, she emphasized the importance of representation, community advocacy, and using one’s voice to create change.
“Today is a celebration of everything you’ve accomplished,” Rep. Chu said. “It’s also the beginning of something bigger. Whether you choose a career in public service, advocacy, law, health care, education, or business, each of you now has the opportunity to make a difference in your community.”
She concluded by urging graduates to stay engaged in the causes they care about: “Find an issue that matters to you, get involved with it at the local level or even the federal level, encourage your family and friends to join you, and never let anyone convince you that your voice is too small to make a difference.”
For many participants, the program provided more than leadership training. It fostered lasting connections across campuses while helping students build confidence in their identities and voices as emerging leaders.
Cal State LA student speaker Ju-ahn Huang and PCC student speaker Su Lin Pyae Aung spoke about the program’s impact on personal growth and leadership development.
“This program has improved my relationship with my past and helped me see it as something to be embraced as a part of me… I noticed the resilience I have developed over time,” Huang said.
Pyae Aung called on participants to view their own experiences as a source of strength, reminding them that their stories shape who they are as leaders.
Former Assemblymember Mike Eng and Jennifer Tang, representing the office of Assemblymember Mike Fong, also congratulated the graduates, while APIs Mobilize alumni ambassadors Ya Min Thandar Aung, Mikeil Ray Aya-Arsenio, and Tyler Young shared how the program shaped their educational and professional journeys and inspired them to continue serving their communities.
The event also recognized outstanding student achievement through scholarships presented by the Asian Pacific Islander School Board Members Association and the League of California Cities Asian Pacific Islander Caucus.
Presenting the scholarships were Annie Lam, founder and executive director of APIs Mobilize; Henry Lo, mayor of Monterey Park; Shelley Ryan, vice president of the San Marino Unified School District Board; and Andy Yam, APIs Mobilize alumnus and president of the Garvey School District Board.
In addition, APIs Mobilize honored three college interns who completed placements in the offices of Rep. Chu, Assemblymember Mike Fong, and U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu. The internships provided students with firsthand experience in government and public service while helping them build professional networks and explore careers in civic leadership.
“I’m incredibly proud of this graduating class. Watching our students grow over the course of this program is one of the most meaningful parts of this work,” said Lam. “They become more confident, more connected to who they are, and more willing to use their voices. They begin to see that their lived experiences are strengths and that they already have the ability to lead. I have no doubt they will continue making a positive difference on their campuses and in their communities.”
The ceremony included the presentation of certificates to the graduating class and performances by Kalahi, the Filipinx-American Student Organization at Cal State LA, and Bursa, a traditional Burmese dance group at PCC.
Graduates now join the APIs Mobilize alumni network, where they can continue serving as ambassadors, mentors, and future program facilitators while pursuing civic leadership opportunities.
About Cal State LA’s ROOTS Scholars Program
The ROOTS Scholars Program (ROOted in Togetherness and Strength) at Cal State LA enhances the sense of belonging, identity development, empowerment, and well-being of AANHPI students while fostering an inclusive community that supports students of all backgrounds. Through leadership development, mentorship, cultural programming, and campus partnerships, ROOTS helps students build meaningful connections and thrive academically, personally, and professionally.
About Pasadena City College’s APIDA Initiatives
Pasadena City College’s Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Initiatives provide programs, resources, and culturally responsive support that promote the academic success, leadership development, and sense of belonging of Asian, Asian American, Desi, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students. The APIs Mobilize Leadership Program is part of the Leadership Pathway for Changemakers at PCC, a yearlong program that includes a 10-week fall leadership series and Introduction to Public Speaking for APIDA Changemakers course in the spring.
About APIs Mobilize
APIs Mobilize seeks to cultivate greater participation of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Americans in public service through educational opportunities. The nonprofit organization empowers the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and skills to become effective changemakers in the community. The Southern California APIs Mobilize Leadership Program provides students with resources, skill-building exercises, and support networks.
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 260,000 distinguished alumni.
