APIASF CELEBRATES 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT

Katie Tran-Lam

Director of Communications & Marketing

Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

202-747-7236

ktranlam@apiasf.org

APIASF CELEBRATES 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Nation’s Largest Scholarship Organization for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders 
Commemorates 10 Years of Strengthening Students, Families and Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 24, 2013) – The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of college scholarships to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students, announced the beginning of its year-long celebration to commemorate its 10-year anniversary.  Throughout 2013, the organization will be hosting special events including activities in Dallas, Texas; Rosemead, California; New York, New York; and Washington, D.C.

In addition to the events, APIASF launched an online initiative today that celebrates the difference the organization is making for students, families and communities through the words of those who have been directly impacted. During 2013, APIASF will be collecting quotes from past and present Scholars, community leaders, family members, educators and others that will be posted to an interactive map featured on the website throughout the year. Stories may be submitted atwww.apiasf.org.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for APIASF as we celebrate the impact of the organization in increasing access to higher education for deserving Asian American and Pacific Islander students and the broader effect of that work as our students become not only college graduates, but leaders in their communities,” said Neil Horikoshi, APIASF President & Executive Director. “While we are looking forward to the opportunity to highlight many of our milestones, this year will be critical as we build on our work to increase student success, support institutional capacity and mobilize resources that will help America’s fastest growing population become college graduates.”

Since 2003, APIASF has distributed more than $60 million in college scholarships to some of America’s most underserved students. In addition to that work, APIASF became the first organization national organization to address the needs of the nearly 50 percent of AAPI students enrolled in higher education who are attending community colleges through the creation of its community college scholarship program. In November 2012, APIASF was selected as one of the nation’s top 100 most socially impactful organizations as part of the Social Impact Exchange’s S&I 100.

“Our 10-year anniversary comes at a time when people are beginning to pay attention to the increasingly important role that the AAPI community plays in accomplishing our national goals whether it is developing a highly skilled workforce or creating the next generation of civic leaders,” said Horikoshi. “APIASF will continue its leadership in ensuring that AAPI students have the opportunity to access, complete and succeed after post-secondary education to become professionals who will not only excel in their careers, but will contribute to a more vibrant America.”

For details about APIASF’s social impact and anniversary activities, visit APIASF’s website atwww.apiasf.org. Also, follow APIASF on Facebook (www.facebook.com/apiasf) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/apiasf).

About APIASF

Based in Washington, D.C., the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). APIASF works to create opportunities for students to access, complete, and succeed after post-secondary education; thereby developing future leaders who will excel in their career, serve as role models in their communities, and will ultimately contribute to a vibrant America. Since 2003, APIASF has distributed more than $60 million in scholarships to deserving AAPI students. APIASF manages two scholarship programs: APIASF’s general scholarship and the Gates Millennium Scholars/Asian Pacific Islander Americans funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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