Washington State University (WSU) College of Nursing was recently awarded a grant from the Oregon Department of Education’s Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Student Success Plan (ODE NHPI SSP). This four-year grant, totaling up to $605,929.34, supports a unique, community-centered approach to enhancing educational equity for Micronesian and Pacific Islander students and their families. The project will be led by Dr. Connie Kim Yen Nguyen-Truong, Associate Professor at WSU College of Nursing, in partnership with Jackie Leung of the Micronesian Islander Community organization, as dual Principal Investigators and founders of the Language and Cultural Institute.
The research project, titled “Micronesian and Pacific Islander Students, Families, and Communities Model Approach to the Language and Cultural Institute: A Community-Based Participatory Research Mixed Methods Study,” aims to address structural barriers faced by these communities by integrating culturally responsive education, data disaggregation, and anti-racism initiatives. With a focus on dismantling components of structural violence, this project also highlights historical trauma and anti-colorism while fostering shared power within communities.
“This grant is a testament to our commitment to building equitable systems that acknowledge and support the diverse histories, languages, and cultures of Micronesian and Pacific Islander communities,” said Dr. Nguyen-Truong. “We look forward to collaborating with community partners to make impactful, positive changes in education and beyond.”
Dr. Postma underscores the importance of this work in advancing the college’s mission of fostering inclusive and accessible education. “This project exemplifies the profound impact community-based research can have in creating meaningful educational pathways. We’re excited to follow the progress and success of this endeavor.”
Using a mixed-methods research approach, the research partnership will collaborate closely with community members to inform policies and practices that support the educational success of Pacific Islander and Micronesian students in Oregon with expected dissemination implications for uptake that transcends geographical boundaries. The grant, highly competitive and contingent upon budget approval and ongoing project evaluation, will run through June 30, 2028.
