**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Ong
press@aapidata.com
Defending AAPI Access to Higher Education: A Playbook for Informed Action
Berkeley, CA, June 5, 2025 – In the face of threats to higher education and the AAPI communities, Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE) and AAPI Data have compiled a playbook that provides key, data-driven insights on policy and actionable next steps for collective engagement.
The playbook, “Defending AAPI Access to Higher Education,” provides an overview of various threats to higher education in 2025, demonstrates the ways that federal programs and policies have benefited Asian American and Pacific Islander students, and offers options for strategic policy engagement at the state and federal levels. The playbook will also be updated in the coming months, as APAHE and AAPI Data continue to react to the ongoing political landscape and challenges to higher education.
“At this critical juncture and as one of the leading organizations championing AAPIs in higher education, APAHE is committed to action and ready for the fight ahead,” said Dr. Rowena Tomaneng, president of APAHE. “We are working across our channels to develop compelling narratives about the importance and value of higher education, and we are dedicated to engaging elected officials at the federal and state levels.”
This playbook is the start of a strategic partnership and campaign between APAHE and AAPI Data to focus on higher education policy and campus engagement. A recent AAPI Data and AP-NORC survey revealed that AAPIs believe strongly in the value of higher education. A strong majority of AAPIs believe additional investment in education is needed, with 64% expressing a belief that the federal government spends too little on education.
AAPIs are also extremely or very concerned about increases in student loan debt (63%), restrictions to free speech on college campuses (57%), and federal cuts to university research (56%). Given this data as well as recent executive actions and proposed legislation, it has become clear that AAPI organizations must come together to provide strategies and resources for effective action.
“Our nation’s community colleges and universities are vital to building the next generation of data scientists and social innovators,” said Dr. Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director and founder of AAPI Data. “As the director of an organization that deeply believes in the value of data for social good, it is imperative that we partner with other AAPI organizations to ensure continued equitable access to higher education.”
As higher education continues to face threats from a variety of sources, strategic partnerships between organizations will be key in continuing to address challenges. AAPIs feel strongly that institutions of higher learning should be invested in and protected. The playbook then provides actionable next steps to turn this energy into advocacy and action.
A copy of the coauthored playbook, “Defending AAPI Access to Higher Education,” can be found on the AAPI Data website at https://aapidata.com/data/reports.
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About APAHE
Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education is dedicated to enhancing the educational opportunities for Asian and Pacific American students; promoting and supporting the hiring, retention, and advancement of qualified Asian and Pacific American faculty, staff, and administrators; and creating a better understanding of issues in the public affecting Asian and Pacific Americans in higher education. Learn more at apahenational.org.
About AAPI Data
AAPI Data is a national research and policy organization producing accurate data to support community narratives that drive action toward enduring solutions for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. AAPI Data is based at the Asian American Research Center at the University of California Berkeley. Learn more at aapidata.com.