AAPI Connect is a culturally based peer mentoring program sponsored by Northern Virginia Community College’s AANAPISI program grant (2021-2026). This program aims to enrich Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students’ college experience by fostering interpersonal, social, and community connections. AAPI Connect is founded on the research supported concept of difference education, which affirms that identifying differences can promote students’ ability to thrive in college. Through peer mentoring, social and cultural programming, and civic engagement, the AAPI Connect program cultivates feelings belonging, enhances cultural representation on campus, and connects students to community resources.

Students can participate in the program as Peer Mentors and Mentees.

• Peer Mentors are essentially the connection builders, and will share their experiences with Mentees and help connect them to resources. Peer Mentors are returning NOVA students who have successfully navigated their first year at NOVA, have strong interpersonal skills, and are open and eager to helping new students. This is a paid role. Peer Mentors must be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester and maintain a 3.0 GPA during the program year.

• Mentees are essentially the connection seekers - and will have the opportunity to meet like minded students, faculty and community mentors, and receive support to help them on their journey at NOVA. Mentees are students who are seeking additional connection and support, due to academic difficulties, unsuccessful completion of gateway ENG or MTH courses, uncertainty of major, or are new to NOVA. Mentees must be enrolled in at least 3 credits per semester during the program year.

Connect is a culturally based peer mentoring program that seeks to serve AAPI students and address issues of identity and culture that matter to them. AAPI students are currently enrolled students who self-identify as Asian American and/or Native American Pacific Islander. Ethnic backgrounds may include (but are not limited to) Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, Native Hawaiian, Fijian, Micronesian, or other Pacific Islanders.

Peer Mentors are paid positions (earning $12 an hour) and are expected to work on campus approximately 4-6 hours per week. Peer Mentors are appointed for each academic year with most activity taking place between August-May.

Eligibility: Peer Mentors must meet the following requirements:
1. Self-identify as an AAPI student
2. Enroll in a minimum of 6 credits during the program year (Fall & Spring)
3. Maintain a 3.0 GPA at NOVA
4. Identify as friendly, helpful, open minded, and willing to meet new students
5. Possess strong interpersonal and presentational skills (or willing to learn)

Important Dates: The application period for the 2022-2023 Academic Year is now open! Please review this important timeline before applying:
1) Complete and submit the application by May 9, 2022, 11:59PM. (You will be notified of interview on a rolling basis.)
2) Participate in on campus one hour group interviews held in the beginning of May 2022. (Note: This format is dependent on current covid policies at the time.)
3) GPA data will be verified at the close of Spring 2022 semester.
4) Decisions will be made by June 1, 2022.
5) All finalists must complete a Student Hire packet, reference and background check by July 1, 2022. Your offer is contingent on meeting these requirements.
6) Your official start date is August 15, 2022. You must attend the mandatory Peer Mentor training on August 19, 2022 (9AM-4PM) AND August 26, 2022 (9AM-12:30PM).

The Peer Mentor application is available at https://forms.gle/wPZgYzo1UZboohNL9

Mentees should plan to commit 1-2 hours a week to program activities.

Eligibility: Students are eligible to participate as a Mentee for one year. Mentees must meet the following requirements:
1. Self-identify as an AAPI student
2. Currently enrolled student at NOVA (3 or more credits)
3. Self-identify as needed additional connection and support, due to:
a. Academic difficulty (e.g., academic warning or probation)
b. Unsuccessful completion of gateway ENG or MTH courses
c. Undeclared major, or
d. New student in need of connections

Important Dates: The application period for the 2022-2023 Academic Year will open June 1-August 31, 2022. Please review this important timeline before applying:
1) Complete and submit your application by August 31, 11:59PM.
2) Applicants are connected on a rolling basis. You are notified of your program acceptance by September 9, 2022.
3) Our first cohort meeting is September 16, 2022. Cohort A meets Fridays, 11:10AM-12:30PM. Cohort B meets Fridays, 2-3:20PM.

For more information contact Dr. Hurley at churley@nvcc.edu.

1. How are Peer Mentors and Mentees matched up? Peer Mentors and Mentees are paired based on campus, program, and other connections, such as similar interests. We also respect requests of being paired by gender for religious and/or cultural reasons.

2. How are the Peer Mentors chosen? Peer Mentors are returning NOVA students who have successfully navigated their first year at NOVA, have strong interpersonal skills, and are open and eager to helping new students. Peer Mentors go through a rigorous process of interviews where they are chosen for their ability to connect with others, leadership skills, and motivation to help others. Peer Mentors undergo training in interpersonal and intercultural skills, and higher educational topics.  

3. What is the time commitment? To be active in Connect, you must participate in our cohort meetings (either Fridays from 11:10AM-12:30PM or 2-3:20PM) and meet with your Mentor every other week. We also encourage you to spend time studying at the AANAPISI Intercultural Learning Center on campus. If you are an active Mentee, you are given preference to attend program sponsored group excursions and. Connect programming runs from September 9, 2022-May 15, 2023.

4. Can I participate in Connect events and activities? Cohort meetings and social activities are for Connect program participants only. The Intercultural Learning Center is an AANAPISI grant resource that is open to all NOVA students. Activities are advertised on the DEI website: https://www.nvcc.edu/diversity/index.html

5. Can I hang out in the Intercultural Learning Center but not be a part of the Connect program? Yes! All NOVA students are welcome to come and use our center.

6. Where is the AANAPISI Intercultural Learning Center? The ILC is located in Founders Hall. It will open Fall 2022.