AANHPI Student Achievement Program

ROOTS Scholars

An Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program 

Program Overview

The ROOTS Scholars Program (ROOted in Togetherness and Strength) at Cal State LA, funded by the CSU Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program (CSU ASAP) Grant aims to enhance sense of belonging, identity development, empowerment, and well-being of AANHPI and other students. We provide spaces for learning, sharing knowledge and experiences, connecting, and exploring intersectional identities. Our program seeks to support student academic success and create an inclusive environment that addresses the needs of the AANHPI and campus community. The ROOTS Scholars Program is open to anyone, regardless of race, color, national origin, and sex. Please see Cal State LA’s Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment Statement below.

To Contact Us: [email protected]

For Students

Benefits

• Join a supportive community of students, faculty, and staff
• Connect with and have fun with peers  
• Discover more about yourself and explore your identity
• Receive mentorship through peer, faculty, and staff support
• Access opportunities to develop leadership skills
• Get a chance to make your voice heard and affect future programming on campus on AANHPI culture
• Receive support for textbooks and course materials

Requirements for Program Completion

Students who would like to join the AANHPI SAP and receive program benefits must be willing to complete the following activities during the Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 academic year:

• Participate in an in-person orientation on August 29, 2025, 11 AM - 1 PM.
• Complete a pre-assessment survey at the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester.  
• Attend at least one mandatory advising session per semester.
• Engage in at least two culturally responsive activities per semester from a menu of options provided and submit a brief survey after participating in each activity. These activities are related to these areas: Culture and Identity, Mental Health and Wellness, Professional and Career Development, Academic Success, and Mentorship.
• Participate in the ROOTS Scholars symposium on November 6, time TBA
• Complete a post-assessment survey and reflection activity at the end of the Spring 2026 semester
• Participate in an in-person end-of-year gathering in Spring 2026.  

Who Can Apply

All enrolled Cal State LA undergraduate students who are interested in the AANHPI experience, history, culture, and issues are encouraged to apply. Seats are limited, and only completed applications will be considered. Priority will be given to new transfer students and first-time freshmen applicants.

How to Apply

For Alumni

Alumni play an important role in providing support to your students through providing professional development guidance and opportunities and helping students navigate through their career paths. We invite you as Cal State LA alumni to support our AANHPI SAP students. Any level of commitment and support is much appreciated!

Here are examples of activities for which we are seeking alumni involvement:

• One-on-one mentoring (in-person and/or virtually)
• Panels or talks
• Mentoring/networking luncheons
• Organizing and facilitating a tour of a potential employment site, community organization, or graduate school program
• Sharing internship and/or employment opportunities

And these are examples of topics for which we would appreciate your support:

• Discipline-specific professional development and career guidance
• How to navigate through professional environments as an AANHPI individual
• Reflecting on family/community expectations
• Supporting international students

Please complete this Alumni Interest Form if you would like to work with our AANHPI SAP students!

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment 

This AANHPI-Student Achievement Program is open and available to all who are interested to apply and/or participate, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal State LA provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal State LA complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal State LA is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal State LA, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.