Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
Dear Members of the NJCU Family,
Throughout the month of May, join me in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. I want to say thank you to the many members of the New Jersey City University community for sharing your rich history and culture with us every day.
Our AAPI representation on campus continues to grow significantly, with 13 percent of our new students this academic year identifying as AAPI, as do many of our faculty and staff. You are a beloved part of the fabric that comprises the vibrant tapestry that makes NJCU one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse campuses in the nation — a tapestry that is reflected back at us throughout Jersey City, the most ethnically diverse city in the United States, and Hudson County, a true melting pot for cultures from around the world. You make all of us better.
The 2025 theme, "A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience," celebrates the significant contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made in our lives in the fields of art, government, business, healthcare, education, technology and other areas that are shaping our future.
AAPI Heritage Month, as with other historically-designated heritage months, invites us beyond observance; rather, it offers us a chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate the accomplishments of a culture and its ethnicity.
At NJCU, we don't simply acknowledge diversity—we thrive because of it. In a world still challenged by division, our campus stands as testament to the power of unity through difference. We will always oppose intolerance in all its manifestations. Every day on this campus, we are building a more just, equitable, and inclusive world — together — where every individual, regardless of their background or identity, can achieve their full potential.
NJCU's greatest strength has always been our mosaic of diverse experiences and the respect that resonates in our university's core mission. The rich tapestry of NJCU has been profoundly shaped by AAPI contributions, and I am proud to join our students, faculty, staff, and our community in celebrating AAPI Heritage Month.
Yours in service,
Interim President
New Jersey City University