Culturally-Aligned Mentorship of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Graduate Students and Educational Leaders

Abstract

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are part of a diverse community. However, this community's complexity and diversity are often overlooked due to the model minority myth, racism, discrimination, and stereotypes. The common thread throughout the successes and struggles of AAPIs is community, mutual reliance, family and community support, and the development of knowledge capital. Research examining culturally aligned mentorship notes the importance of cultural context and identity. This chapter on AAPI graduate students and new professionals focuses on narratives of resilience, persistence, and growth through mentorship. The chapter takes the form of dialogues among authors on culturally aligned mentorship, intersectionality, belongingness, and resilience. Recommendations include better onboarding for faculty and staff, developing communities of learning and practice, addressing bias through open discussion, cataloging AAPI leadership opportunities, proactive outreach by mentors, and using group mentoring models.