Dr. Thompson Goes to Washington D.C.

For my early morning workout, I ran from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial and had a good view of the Washington Monument

I stayed at the Capital Hilton hotel, not far from the White House

NPIEN Members Sefa Aina and Dr. Audrey Yamagata Noji facilitated a session on Underserved Students

Congresswoman Madeliene Bordallo of Guam




It was my honor to represent NPIEN at the first Higher Education Summit sponsored by the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Funds (APIASF), held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in our nation's capital. Neil Horikoshi is the President and Executive Director. APIASF awards thousands of dollars in scholarship funds to deserving students from the Asian and Pacific Islander community. The purpose of the summit was to develop recommendations in key areas such as underserved students, minority serving institutions, and leadership and workforce development. A copy of the summit report can be viewed at http://www.apiasf.org/



It was great to see NPIEN members Sefa Aina, Founding NPIEN Board Member, and Dr. Audrey Yamagata Noji, NPIEN Board Advisor, taking an active role in the planning and facilitation of the event. I met with many long-time colleagues and supporters, including:

• APIASF Board of Directors Chair Jacinta Titialii Abbott


• Matt Finucane and Bouy Te, National Education Association


• Dr. Robert Underwood, President, University of Guam


• Linda Akutagawa, Senior Vice President, LEAP


• Congressman Mike Honda, California


• Martha J. Kanter, Under Secretary of Education


• Tanya Joshua, White House Initiative for Asians and Pacific Islanders


• Gale Awaya McCallum, Executive Director, National Japanese American Memorial Foundation


• Dr. Bob Suzuki, President Emeritus, Cal Poly University Pomona


• Dr. Shirley Hune, University of Washington

and many others. This was a very beneficial opportunity for NPIEN to renew acquaintances with our many partners in Washington D.C. and across the nation. In 2001, I attended a similar summit sponsored by then Congressman Robert Underwood of Guam. NPIEN was born shortly following that meeting. Next year marks the tenth anniversary of NPIEN, and it was good to be in Washington D.C. again almost ten years later.