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ASPIRE+PLLUS Logo

 

Welcome to ASPIRE+PLLUS

ASPIRE+PLLUS is a student support program that helps minimize barriers in marginalized communities within the AAPI community to promote academic and personal success among students. The acronym stands for Asian Pacific Islander Resources for Excellence plus Powerful Leadership and Learning for Unified Success.

Our Services

Career Mentorship

ASPIRE+PLLUS Career Mentorship provides culturally responsive one-on-one and group support tailored to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. We recognize the cultural expectations and common narratives that can shape career decisions — including the belief that “getting good grades is enough.”

While academic success is important, career growth also requires experience, networking, confidence, and strategic planning. Our program helps students move beyond limiting mindsets and actively build the skills and opportunities needed for long-term success.

We support students in preparing for internships, work-based learning, and career pathways aligned with their academic and professional goals.

Our Services Include:
  • One-on-one and group mentorship sessions

  • Resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn development

  • Internship search strategies and career advising

  • Professional development workshops

Schedule a Meeting with our Career Mentor!

Mental Health Support

ASPIRE+PLLUS is dedicated to the well-being of students, recognizing the unique challenges Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students face in regard to mental health and wellness.

  • Workshops, discussion groups, and coping spaces.
  • Focused on AAPI Mental Health awareness and discussion.
  • Opportunities to learn and access mental health resources available both on campus/community.
  • Providing a platform for learning and sharing experiences.

Student Leadership

Grow your leadership skills, get involved in the AANHPI community, and build your network!

  • Connect with other students at our weekly Kick-It Space
  • Student conferences & leadership trainings
  • Networking and receiving mentorship from members
  • Becoming a student ambassador
  • Coordinating student events

Digital Literacy

As technology continues to evolve, strong digital skills are essential for academic and career success. ASPIRE+PLLUS is here to support you in building digital literacy through accessible, hands-on learning opportunities.

• Build confidence using essential digital tools and technologies.
• Especially beneficial for English Language Learners (ELL) and adult education students.
• Earn a Digital Literacy Certificate that can open doors to higher-paying career opportunities.

Peer Mentorship

The ASPIRE+PLLUS Peer Wellness Mentorship Program supports AANHPI students at Evergreen Valley College through meaningful connections, leadership development, and guided mentorship. The program promotes academic success, personal growth, professional development, and community engagement by connecting students with trained peer mentors and advisors.

Participants build supportive relationships, strengthen leadership skills, and gain access to campus and community resources in a structured, goal-oriented environment.


Roles in the Mentorship Program

 

Advisors

  • Provide monthly check-ins and support to mentors

  • Attend group convening sessions

  • Guide mentors and ensure program success

Mentors

  • Meet with mentees at least twice per month

  • Offer guidance, encouragement, and accountability

  • Connect mentees to campus resources and opportunities

  • Model professionalism and leadership

Mentees

  • Meet regularly with their mentor

  • Set academic, personal, and career goals

  • Stay engaged and open to growth

  • Participate in workshops and convenings

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Take Summer 2026 Digital Literacy Courses

This summer is the time to sharpen your skills in technology! By taking DLIT courses, you can earn your Digital Literacy Certificate. We are offering credit/non-credit ASYNCHRONOUS online DLIT courses this summer 2025: 
 
See Our Program in Action
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ASPIRE+PLLUS author presenting

Guest Presenters

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ASPIRE+PLLUS student painting

Peer Support Groups

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ASPIRE+PLLUS students conversing

Community Building

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ASPIRE+PLLUS cultural events

Cultural Events

Our Purpose

ASPIRE+PLLUS is a federal grant under the Department of Education’s Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) program, awarded to Evergreen Valley College in 2022. This grant is intended to increase the capacity of student support to the ASPIRE Academic Program created in 2000, which was to support the growth of EVC's Asian student population by providing scholarships, tutoring, and academic counseling. In the past couple of years, COVID-19, anti-Asian sentiment, and remote learning began to negatively impact the AANAPI community, presenting more nuanced challenges to our EVC students. 

Because of this, ASPIRE+PLLUS strives to scale up the program's activities to not only mitigate the sociopolitical effects of COVID-19, but to also provide mental health and wellness access, technology access, and relieve the costs of education. This will allow for students from the AAPI community from all backgrounds to be successful.

ASPIRE+PLLUS is federally funded by DOE PR# P031L220022

Our Team

Brandon T. Yanari

Director, Outreach and Recruitment

Student Services Complex - A - 1113

Dung Vu

Supervisor

Old A&R Building

Tomoko Ha

Career Mentor

Kara Uy Has

Crisis Support and Care Manager

Student Services Complex - S - 1041

Melissa-Ann Nievera-Lozano

Faculty

MS-242 (MS3 Bldg)

Tiffany Wong

Program Assistant

 

See all our staff in the ASPIRE+PLLUS office